The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) will be fighting to keep their season alive when they visit the New Orleans Saints (10-3) for a Monday night matchup at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, but there is some extra incentive for the defense.
Entering the Week 15 matchup, future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees (537) is just two touchdowns behind Peyton Manning (539) for the most passing touchdowns in a career. It’s going to happen at some point, but the Colts defense will be looking to keep that from happening as Brees takes on Manning’s former team.
Brees has already surpassed Manning for most passing yards in a career, which happened during the 2018 season. Now, the 40-year-old Brees can pass Manning in another prolific category.
In eight games this season, Brees has thrown for two or fewer touchdown passes in four contests. He is coming off of his best game of the season against the 49ers when he completed 29 of 40 passes for 349 yards, five touchdowns and a 138.4 passer rating.
The Colts defense is coming off of its worst performance of the season. Despite four turnovers, the Colts allowed 456 passing yards and four passing touchdowns on the day in Week 14, which led to a 38-35 loss.
Being on the road against the Saints will be tough. Brees hasn’t always put up big numbers but he’s much more liable to do so at home in primetime. Given that the Saints are battling for the top seed in the NFC, they will keep their foot on the peddle.
Manning’s record will also be on watch with the New England Patriots as Tom Brady is just three touchdown passes behind Manning entering this week. There is a world where both players surpass the Colts’ legendary quarterback this weekend.
The Colts, though, will be trying to keep that from happening in the game against the Saints on Monday night while also trying to keep their season alive with an upset.