Purdue Boilermakers in the NFL: 2014 Season, Week 3

Sep 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass during warmups prior to kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sport

 Drew Brees – QB – New Orleans Saints

It took three games, but Drew Brees finally got his first victory of the season as the New Orleans Saints defeated the Minnesota Vikings 20-9. It wasn’t a pretty game for the Saints, going scoreless in the second and third quarter and barely leading 13-9 until the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Brees started the game 9-for-9 for 108 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end Josh Hill in the first quarter. He also led the Saints down the field on their opening drive, which was finished off by running back Pierre Thomas on a 1-yard touchdown run.

The offense sealed the victory less than three minutes into the fourth quarter when Brees connected with wide receiver Marques Colston on an 18-yard touchdown. It was their 64th career touchdown connection, which placed them sixth all time and passed the Hall of Fame duo of quarterback Johnny Unitas and wide receiver Raymond Berry.

We are giving Drew Brees the Hammer Down Award for the week for his performance against the Browns. He lost, arguably, his best running back Mark Ingram for the next month, but was still able to set up the other running backs and kept the ball out of the defenders hands.

Brees finished the game 27-of-35 (77 percent) for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He has now passed for 863 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions through three games. Brees and company travel to take on the Dallas Cowboys next week.