Quarterback Saints Drew Brees throws four touchdowns to unmarked players

NEW ORLEANS – Who was Dat ?!

Quarterback Drew Brees threw four touchdown passes to four different unregistered players on Thursday night as the New Orleans Saints defeated Atlanta Falcons 31-17 for their 10th consecutive victory.

According to The ESPN Stats & Information, the Saints are the first team in the Super Bowl era to have four different players unmarked with a receiving touchdown in a match.

In addition, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, New Orleans is the first team since the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1984 to have four different players to score their first or second career touchdown in the same game.

Brees also tied an NFL record – set by Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan – in 2016 by offering TD passes to 13 different players this season.

The four players (third-year WR Tommylee Lewis, second-year WR Austin Carr, first-year TE Dan Arnold and rookie WR Keith Kirkwood) have just two TD career catches before Thursday's game.

But Brees, who has a 39-year-old season at the age of 39, does not hesitate to improvise while injuries continue to accumulate in the body of New Orleans receivers this year.

Rookie Tre "Quan Smith was found inactive with a foot injury before Thursday's game, and the Saints also lost veteran receivers Ted Ginn Jr., Cameron Meredith and Dez Bryant to the injured reserve during the game. season. Veteran Brandon Marshall signed for the depth last week, but he has not yet appeared in a match.

And yet, the Saints (10-1) continue to ride on the NFL's highest offensive (37.2 points per game). Brees started 29 assists this season with only two interceptions (including one in the first quarter on Thursday night).

Brees showed similar improvisational talents earlier this week during the 48-7 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Eagles were the first defense to focus on the victory of receiver Michael Thomas and semi-offensive Alvin Kamara of the Saints game by repeatedly doubling both teams. So Brees said that he went to the young receivers on the sidelines and told them, "You are the opponents, the ball is coming towards you, so get ready, we're going to have a great day."

In fact, Smith played a flush match with 10 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown, Carr captured his first career career, and Kirkwood caught three passes for 33 yards in the first quarter in his second NFL game.

By adding Carr, Arnold and Kirkwood to his resume over the last five days, Brees has now offered TD passes to 51 different players over his 13 years with the Saints.

Smith's injury should not be a long-term injury. He was able to train on Wednesday and said he was optimistic about his ability to play.

The Saints will play again next Thursday night in Dallas.