The New Orleans Saints had things nearly wrapped up late against the Arizona Cardinals, with a score 31-9 in hand and just minutes remaining on the game clock. So they pulled starting quarterback Drew Brees and a few other prominent players, sending backup passer Teddy Bridgewater into the game. Brees put up vintage numbers: he completed 34 of 43 attempts to gain 373 passing yards, throwing three touchdown passes against one interception. He was never sacked, avoiding pressure well in several tight spots.
It was Brees’ first appearance since he went down with a thumb injury back in Week 2; the surgery that followed sidelined him for five weeks, putting Bridgewater in the driver’s seat for the offense.