Saints QB Drew Brees Breaks Marino's Passing Record

(NewsCore) - New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees broke Dan Marino's longstanding single-season passing yards record of 5,084 Monday night, moving past the mark during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons.

The record came with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Darren Sproles with 2:56 remaining in the game, giving the Saints a 45-16 win to clinch the NFC South.

Brees, who went into the game needing 305 yards to surpass Marino, also became the first player in NFL history to pass for 5,000 yards twice in his career, having thrown for 5,069 in 2008.

He finished the game with 307 yards to go to 5,087 for the season but still has one game to play, against Carolina, in which he can extend the record.

After setting the new mark, Brees raised his right fist in the air before being lifted and embraced by his teammates. He then held the ball up to the crowd as he received a standing ovation at New Orleans' Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

He said he was not keeping track of the record during the game but had a feeling he was getting close.

"I just got bumrushed by the offensive lineman so I though at that point I must have got the record," Brees told ESPN.

"Obviously I was really trying not to think about the record ... like a pitcher with a no-hitter."

Marino set the mark in 1984 with the Miami Dolphins on the way to being named the NFL MVP.

Shortly after Brees achieved the feat, the Hall of Famer tweeted, "Congrats to @drewbrees. Great job by such a special player."

Prior to Monday's game, Marino had said he was surprised how long his record had lasted, USA Today reported.

"Does it bother me? Deep down, you'd like this to last forever. But 27 years is a pretty long time," he said.

New England's Tom Brady (4,897 yards) is also on track to pass Marino, needing 188 yards against Buffalo in the Patriots' final game of the regular season Sunday.

Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers (4,643) will likely fall short of Marino, needing a huge game of 442 yards against Detroit.

Marino said two reasons multiple quarterbacks had passed for so many yards this season were that receivers were no longer jammed as much at the line of scrimmage and that receivers were also more likely to get holding calls downfield. He said in his era he would never throw to a receiver being held, but "now they'll throw that flag."

"I'd never take anything away from what these guys are doing, which is incredible. But it's easier to throw the football than it was," the 50-year-old said.

Brees also extended his streak to 42 consecutive games with a touchdown pass Monday as he closes in on Johnny Unitas' record of 47, set between 1956 and 1960 with the Baltimore Colts.

The Super Bowl XLIV champion threw four touchdowns in the win and had two interceptions, completing 23 of 39 passes.