Brees breaks own NFL record for accuracy

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees outdid himself in 2018, breaking his own NFL single-season record by completing 74.4 percent of his passes.

With the Saints having already clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed and homefield advantage, the 39-year-old veteran was inactive for Sunday's home finale against the Carolina Panthers.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins ranked second in the NFL entering Week 17 at 70.7 percent. According to the New Orleans Advocate, he would have to complete 85 of 85 passes against the Chicago Bears on Sunday to reach 74.4 percent.

Brees completed 364 of 489 passes for 3,992 yards, 32 touchdowns and just five interceptions while leading New Orleans to a 13-2 start.

The 12-time Pro Bowl selection surpassed his 2017 record of 72.0 percent and he remains the only quarterback in NFL history to top 70 percent in multiple seasons. His accuracy rate was 71.2 percent in 2011, 70.6 percent in 2009 and 70.0 percent in 2016.

Brees finished 8 yards shy of 4,000, snapping his NFL-record streak at 12 consecutive 4,000-yard passing campaigns.

Teddy Bridgewater started in place of Brees against Carolina. — Reuters