New Orleans Saints dominate Carolina Panthers in prime time; Drew Brees sets mark surpassing 50,000 yards

Saints' QB Drew Bres passes for 313 yards with four TDs surpassing the 50,000 yard barrier.

Saints' Marques Colston (12) is congratulated by teammate Lance Moore (16) after a TD reception against the Panthers.

The New Orleans Saints returned to their usual prime time form last night rolling past the Carolina Panthers 31-13 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in a record setting performance by quarterback Drew Brees, who passed for four touchdowns throwing for 313 yards on 30-of-42 passing. Brees became the fifth NFL quarterback to throw for over 50,000 yards joining four others and did it in 183 games, the quickest of either of them to accomplish the feat. Marques Coltston worked himself free and showed good hands, hauling in nine receptions for 125 yards with two scores. Jimmy Graham delivered catching six balls for 58 yards and two scores. The 10-3 Saints used a superb defensive team effort, which was able to bottle up Cam Newton sacking him five times triggered by Junior Galette with three and Cam Jordan, who recorded two, breaking the Panthers' eight game winning streak. The Saints' secondary did an excellent job throttling the Carolina receivers of Steve Smith, former LSU player Brandon LaFell and tight end Greg Olsen. Newton finished 22-of-34 for only 160 yards with a TD pass to Smith. Olsen caught eight passes for 40 yards, while Smith finished with six catches but for just 49 yards and LaFell had two receptions for 22 yards. The Saints took care of business in their key NFC South Division battle and square off next with the St. Louis Rams on the road this Sunday. Following the Rams' game the Saints gear up for another encounter with the Panthers, this time in Carolina before closing out the regular season hosting the much improved Tampa Bay Bucs Dec. 29.