Saints vs. Colts final score: Drew Brees magnificent on record-breaking night

James Crabtree-Hannigan

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Saints vs. Colts final score: Drew Brees magnificent on record-breaking night image

Drew Brees cruised past the all-time record for career touchdown passes Monday night, piecing together a nearly perfect performance in a 34-7 Saints win over the Colts.

Brees completed his final 23 passes Monday, going 29-for-30 for 307 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Michael Thomas caught 12 passes for 128 yards and a score.

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New Orleans (11-3) only had a field goal in the first quarter but added 17 points in the second period to take a 20-0 lead to halftime. Brees broke Peyton Manning's touchdown record on the first drive of the second half, connecting with tight end Josh Hill for a 5-yard score and career passing touchdown No. 540. A 28-yard touchdown on the next possession gave Brees 541, where the record sits entering Week 16. Tom Brady sits three behind him in third place, with 538.

The Saints defense held the Colts to 46 rushing yards on 17 carries and came within one possession of a shutout, surrending a short touchdown on Indianapolis' final drive.

The loss eliminates the Colts (6-8) from playoff contention. New Orleans remains tied with the 49ers, Seahawks and Packers for the best record in the NFC.

Sporting News tracked live score, updates and highlights from Saints vs. Colts on Week 15 of "Monday Night Football." Follow along below.

Saints vs. Colts final score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
Saints 3 17 14 0 34
Colts 0 0 0 7 7

Saints vs. Colts updates, highlights

Final: Saints 34, Colts 7

11:02 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Colts. Running back Jordan Wilkins from a yard out. Saints 34, Colts 7.

End third quarter: Saints 34, Colts 0

10:27 p.m.: Tom responds.

10:23 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Saints. Brees has completed 21 consecutive passes and is 28-for-29 on the night. He hits Taysom Hill for a 28-yard score. Saints 34, Colts 0.

10:19 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS, Colts. Brisett goes deep on fourth-and-8, and it's broken up. You should turn this game off.

10:02 p.m.; TOUCHDOWN, Saints. Brees breaks the all-time passing touchdown record with a 5-yard floater to Josh Hill. Your move, Tom. Saints 27, Colts 0.

9:58 p.m.: Brees and the Saints are across midfield.

Halftime: Saints 20, Colts 0

9:34 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, Saints. Brees appeared to break the record, but an offensive pass interference call calls it back. They settle for a field goal on the final play of the half. Saints 20, Colts 0.

9:11 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Saints. Brees to Tre'Quan Smith for a 10-yard score. He ties Peyton Manning for most all-time passing touchdowns (539), though Tom Brady is also at 538. Saints 17, Colts 0.

9:07 p.m.: Thomas putting on a show early.

8:54 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Saints. Brees hits Thomas for a 15-yard score, capping a 90-yard drive that took a little over six minutes. All New Orleans early. Saints 10, Colts 0.

End first quarter: Saints 3, Colts 0

8:30 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, Saints. A Drew Brees completion to Michael Thomas is short of the sticks, so Wil Lutz trots out for a 33-yarder. Saints 3, Colts 0.

8:26 p.m.: BLOCKED PUNT, Saints. Indianapolis had to punt it twice due to a holding penalty, and another holding penalty couldn't prevent the punt from being blocked. New Orleans has great field position.

8:22 p.m.: Brisett misses a wide open Zach Pascal, and Indianapolis punts.

8:20 p.m.: Colts quarterback Jacoby Brisett scrambled for a first down on third-and-short, then hits Marcus Johnson for a 20-yard catch.

8:15 p.m.: The Saints have strong kickoff coverage, and the Colts begin on their own 16.

James Crabtree-Hannigan