New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was tasked with kneeling out the clock, but Drew Brees owned the evening. New Orleans’ future Hall of Famer had a night for the ages with an impeccable passing performance: Brees completed 26 of his 29 targets for 363 yards and 3 scores, and never turned over the football. It was like watching Brees’ all-time great 2011 season all over again.
As great as Brees played, he didn’t go it alone. His top three receivers were ready to go under the national spotlight, with Michael Thomas, Cameron Meredith, and Tre’Quan Smith combining for 12 catches on 13 targets – and turning those catches into 256 yards, with the rookie, Smith, scoring twice.