10 most memorable moments of 2011 Saints season
1/ Drew Brees breaks Marino's record
Credit: AP
There might have been bigger moments, but to us, nothing was more memorable than the moment Drew Brees became the league’s most-prolific passer in its history.
The Saints broke many NFL records this season, including total offense. None were considered more Holy Grail-esque than Dan Marino’s single-season passing record and Brees was on pace to break sometime in the final game or two.
It just so happened that New Orleans’ game against Atlanta was on national television, setting the stage for glory.
That Monday night game against Atlanta meant so much – it clinched the division, it clinched a home-field game and it clinched history.
The night was building to an exhilarating finish. The Saints had the game in hand but the record was not. And then, little time left on the clock, fate struck, giving the Saints the ball back with just enough room to get Brees the record.
With 5:08 to play, the Saints took over at the Atlanta 33. Five plays later, the Saints were at the Falcons’ 9, Brees just a few yards shy of breaking Dan Marino’s single-season record of 5,084 yards.
On the next play, Brees threw to his left, hitting running back Darren Sproles for a nine-yard touchdown pass. Marino’s record was broken, the un-passable record finally passed.
And the Superdome shook.
