For at least one night of the 2012 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints were on top of the football world.
Exiled head coach Sean Payton was in the Superdome, Drew Brees was prolific and the Saints were victorious for the first time this year.
Brees had made a request to the NFL earlier in the week to allow the suspended head coach to attend the game to see his quarterback set a new record. Brees got his wish and the record on Sunday night as the Saints defeated the Chargers 31-24 at the Superdome.
"I guess you really couldn't have written a better script for tonight," Brees said to the Associated Press. "To break the record, to get the win, and the fashion in which we won -- really a complete team effort all the way around.
Brees had a stellar game after setting the record, throwing for four touchdowns and 370 yards through the air. He brought the team back from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter for the victory.
"It gave us a good mojo for sure," Brees said of Payton's presence. "I love my coach, so glad he could be here. Mickey and Joe Vitt as well. It is special for our team, special they could be a part of this record."
Brees connected with wide receiver Devery Henderson for a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter to break Johnny Unitas' record of 47 straight games with a touchdown. Unitas, the Hall of Fame quarterback of the Baltimore Colts, threw for a touchdown in 47 straight games from 1956 through 1960.
"The amazing thing about a record like this is it spans over the course of four seasons and hopefully we can keep it going to for a while," Brees said. "There are so many people that are a part of this."
According to ESPN.com, Brees eclipsed 30,000 passing yards for his career in the game.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was excellent in defeat, passing for two touchdowns and 354 yards in the air, but it wasn't enough to beat the Saints. Rivers faltered late, throwing an interception and losing a fumble in the fourth quarter to help the Saints seal the game.
"I can't tell you how tough it is to lose a game like this," Rivers said. "We were right there. We were up by 10 points and just didn't get it done. We have a great team, a championship caliber team. But we have to win close games like this."
The New Orleans defense was much improved on Sunday compared to the first four weeks of the season, allowing 117 rushing yards and sacking Rivers five times.
"You really have to credit our defense getting pressure on the quarterback," interim head coach Aaron Kromer said. "That's what made a difference in the game."
The Saints offense was stellar all night, amassing over 400 yards of offense. Marques Colston had nine receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns, while Henderson caught eight balls for 123 yards, including the record breaking touchdown.
The turning point of the game came on an interception return for the Chargers that was called back. San Diego picked off Brees and returned it for a touchdown to go up 31-14, but the play was brought back after a late hit penalty was called, keeping the ball with New Orleans.
"Obviously it was a critical play," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "You can't make those kinds of errors, and we will learn from them."
Receive Malcolm Floyd did his part for the Chargers, catching five balls for 108 yards in the loss. Running back Ryan Mathews added 80 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Brees was playing against his former team for the second time and came away with his second victory. The record breaking quarterback hasn't had a game without a touchdown pass since October of 2009.
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