Saints vs Falcons LIVE UPDATES: Drew Brees Chases Dan Marino's Passing Record

Atlanta Falcons (9-5, NFC South)
vs.
New Orleans Saints (11-3, NFC South)
Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana
8:30 p.m. EST

Although the Packers win over the Bears on Christmas clinched a playoff berth for the Atlanta Falcons, there is still plenty on the line in this NFC South match up on "Monday Night Football." The Falcons arrive at the Superdome in New Orleans with hopes of overtaking the Saints for their second straight division crown. To do so, Matt Ryan and company needs a win tonight and then some help during Week 17.

On the other sideline, the Saints are going for a first-round bye and as well as place in the history books. If the Saints can run their six-game winning streak to seven games then they'll clinch the NFC South crown. Judging the team's recent triumphs, a Saints win likely means that the NFL has a new all-time single-season passing yards leader.

Brees enters this game tonight needing 305 yards to break Dan Marino's longstanding single-season passing yards mark of 5,084 yards that he set in 1984. In the past five weeks, Brees has thrown for totals of 412, 337, 342, 363, 322.

Can Brees break the record? Or can the Falcons' defense push off decisions on the record and the division until next week?

FOLLOW HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES:

On a pass that could have potentially broken the record, Dunta Robinson tips away pass intented for Meachem and picks it off. History on hold.

12-yard gain to Meachem up middle. 1st and 10 out past 40.

After a short return, Brees and Saints take over at their own 21. He's 75 passing yards from record.

@ darrenrovell : Since his shoulder surgery, Brees has earned $59,565,088. Wonder how much Dr. James Andrews charged?

Saints 21 Falcons 10

Brees 230 yards

Falcons finally go vertical but Jones can't catch deep sideline throw in traffic. Ryan takes knee to end half.

This isn't going to cut it. Just short of first down. Last timeout called. 3rd and 1 at ATL 29.

After a touchback, Ryan and ATL offense out on field. 5 yards on first. Timeout.

@ AdamSchein : Aaron Rodgers is getting my vote for league MVP. Drew Brees is getting my vote for offensive player of the year.

@ jamthedirtybird : And that's what Jimmy Graham has done all year. No vertical can out leap 8 inches of height. Can't give Brees ball with that much time

Saints 21 Falcons 10

Brees 230 yards

Brees steps up in pocket and fires right to Graham in end zone. This time he rises and grabs it. No tip. No pick. Six points Saints.

Sproles runs up the middle on 3rd and 8. He bursts through, going right for a big first down. NOLA timeout. 1st and 10 inside 10.

Saints clock it and then call timeout after short gain to Colston. We're at 35 seconds and in field goal range.

Meachem gets loose up the left flank and Brees hits him for a big gain.

Saints lost the plot here. Brees went to call another timeout but couldn't since they'd just called one. Delay of game. It's now 3rd and 12.

Sproles follows his lead for 3 yards. It's 3rd and 7 with 1:10 to play. Saints call timeout.

Colston got his hands to a ball dropped onto him but DeCoud gets in to break it up. 2nd and 10.

Play looked busted up. Stepped up and then went left when that path was blocked and then he finds Meachem over middle on improv. First down.

Saints have ball at their own 25-yard line.

Scoreboard: Saints 14 Falcons 10

Brees 168 yards

He picks up 5 on second down as we hit two-minute warning.

Brees looks for Meachem but Grimes breaks it up.

Roddy White picks up 12 but can't overcome Rodgers penalty. 2:35 on clock. Brees getting the ball back.

Ryan fires a quick out near sideline that appeared to be caught but it's coming back thanks to hold

Despite end zone interception, he needs just 137 yards to break record.

While not a huddle per se, Atlanta takes timeout. Sometimes dialogue is a good thing.

Jaws telling us Ryan loves no huddle. What about teammates? 3rd and 10.

And pass goes incomplete. 2nd and 10. Still no huddle. But not much of a hurry. More than 3:30 on clock.

Ryan completes to White for short pass and he runs for a few more to pick up first down. Clock ticking, no huddling. Ryan audibling.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/26/saints-vs-falcons-live-updates-nfc-south-brees-record_n_1170325.html

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