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NFL: Drew Brees passes Dan Marino in passing yards

Saints QB Drew Brees began Sunday needing just 36 passing yards to move past Dan Marino for third place on the all-time passing yards list.

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Drew Brees began Sunday needing just 36 yards to move past Dan Marino for third place on the all-time passing yards list.

But it took him longer than expected to hit that mark against the New York Giants.

Less than a year after throwing for 511 yards and seven touchdowns against the Giants, the New Orleans Saints quarterback passed the Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer with a five-yard pass to Brandin Cooks with 3:20 remaining in the first half.

Brees had initially passed Marino earlier with an eight-yard pass to Coby Fleener with 8:47 remaining in the first half. But on the next Saints series, a pass to Tommylee Lewis lost a yard and Brees was briefly tied with Marino.

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In a stark contrast to last year's 52-49 Saints victory, Sunday's game was scoreless until Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins returned a blocked field goal 65 yards for a touchdown with 2:30 remaining in the second quarter.

Brees now has his sights set on Hall of Famer Brett Favre, who was passed by Peyton Manning last year as the NFL's all-time passing leader. Brees is just over 10,000 yards behind both Favre and Manning, but breaking Manning's record of 71,940 yards is within reach for Brees.

Also approaching a milestone is New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who needs 1,972 yards to join Manning, Favre, Brees and Marino as the only players with 60,000 passing yards. If Brady can throw for over 3,300 yards this season once his four-game suspension ends, he'll also pass Marino on the all-time list.

Now in his 16th NFL season, 15th as a starter, Brees is averaging 4,334 yards per season. Given that pace, the 37-year-old Brees would pass Manning in the fourth game of the 2018 season.

Brees has an NFL-record 10 straight 4,000-yard passing seasons, including an all-time best four 5,000-yard seasons. He's also the NFL record holder for most career 300-yard games and has led the league in passing for a record six seasons.

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