NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Last week, Drew Brees took his latest turn writing his name into the NFL record book. Now, Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has grabbed his piece of league history with the most catches in a single season.

For now, those records are mere guideposts to where the New Orleans Saints want to go.

Drew Brees threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, and Alvin Kamara ran for two TDs as the New Orleans Saints kept their chase of the NFC’s No. 1 seed alive by rallying from a 14-point deficit to beat the Tennessee Titans, 38-28, Sunday.

Thomas insisted passing Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison’s mark of 143 catches meant nothing. Thomas needed 10 receptions to tie Harrison’s mark set in 2002, and he finished with 12 catches for 136 yards — his last a 2-yard TD with 2 minutes, 10 seconds left for the final margin.

“We got the victory,” Thomas said. “We’re trying to play and go to a championship right now. At the end of the season, we’ll look up and see all the things we accomplished. But right now, we’re focused on one common goal, and that’s a championship.”

The Saints (12-3) had to win after San Francisco beat the Rams, 34-31, on Saturday. They scored 24 straight points to keep alive their chance at one of the NFC’s top two seeds and a first-round playoff bye going into their regular-season finale at Carolina.

The Titans (8-7) still have a shot at the AFC’s final playoff berth after Houston won the AFC South title beating Tampa Bay on Saturday. The Jets beating the Steelers means the Titans must beat the Texans in Houston in the finale to earn their second playoff berth in three seasons.

“We got a playoff game next week,” Titans cornerback Logan Ryan said. “A win-and-we’re-in situation. Regardless of what our record, regardless of what division we’re in, that’s a great situation to have if you’re a competitor.”

Tennessee had the ball with 4:24 left and down 31-28. The Saints turned over the ball after lining up for a punt and snapping the ball short to Taysom Hill. He threw to a wide-open Justin Hardee Sr., who dropped the ball.

On the next play, Ryan Tannehill threw to Kalif Raymond to the New Orleans 40. Saints rookie safety C.J Gardner-Johnson hit Raymond, knocking the ball loose. Gardner-Johnson picked it up and ran 38 yards to the Titans 25 with no flag for what Titans coach Mike Vrabel thought was a hit to the head of a defenseless receiver.

“They didn’t see it that way,” Vrabel said. “That’s what happens. It’s fast. It happens quickly. Again, it’s about player safety and about when that player becomes unprotected. There’s a certain time completing the catch, and it’s a fine line.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)