Drew Brees is ‘perfect,’ and Saints are getting closer to it

Perfection is the destination of choice for the undefeated New Orleans Saints.

Turns out, their own quarterback beat them to it.

For the first time in his career, Drew Brees recorded a “perfect” passer rating of 158.3 -- against mighty New England, no less -- throwing five touchdown passes to five receivers Monday night in a 38-17 rout at the rocking Superdome.

The Saints improved to a club-record 11-0, keeping pace with the Indianapolis Colts as the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten teams. This is the first time in the league’s 87-year history two teams have won their first 11 games.

In the words of New Orleans Coach Sean Payton, Brees was “magnificent,” averaging a stunning 16.1 yards per pass attempt -- almost three yards better than the previous single-game franchise record of Bobby Hebert (13.65).

“We were trying to accomplish something offensively that was pretty special,” said Brees, who completed 18 of 23 passes for 371 yards. “I think we averaged 10 yards per offensive play, which is pretty ridiculous.”

So overwhelmed were the Patriots that Coach Bill Belichick took the almost unheard-of measure of pulling a healthy Tom Brady with five minutes to play, replacing him with rookie backup Brian Hoyer.

“They were better than we were in every phase of the game,” Belichick conceded. “I don’t know how to put it any other way.”

The Saints rolled up 480 yards of offense, including touchdown receptions by Pierre Thomas, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Darnell Dinkins and Marques Colston.

Brady, meanwhile, was held without a touchdown pass for the second time this season. He was sacked just once, but was repeatedly pressured and knocked down by a revitalized Saints defense.

“To lose a game like this, it really hurts,” said Patriots star receiver Randy Moss, limited to three catches for 67 yards. “Everyone saw it out there -- they put it to us. It just felt like we never really got into any rhythm.”

It was a masterful performance by a patchwork New Orleans secondary that at various times included veteran cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Mike McKenzie, both of whom had been out of football for a prolonged stretch. McKenzie, who had a key interception, was signed this week, McAlister two weeks ago.

“At a certain point, we might have had 50 years of experience in that secondary,” said safety Darren Sharper, who had the other of the Saints’ two interceptions.

“A lot of people might understand now that experience is the best. Having that experience and guys that can still play was big tonight.”

The raucous crowd played an impressive part too. Provided they still have their voices today, hoarse Saints fans can tell of being eyewitnesses to one of the greatest games in franchise history.

Of course, the team is aiming higher, higher even than a 16-0 regular season, something only the 2007 Patriots have achieved. The Saints have their sights set on the elusive Lombardi Trophy.

That’s why Brees was careful to say he’d allow himself only a few hours to bask in the afterglow of this victory before turning his attention to Washington, where the Saints play Sunday.

“I think people are going to talk about this game and maybe blow it out of proportion a little bit,” Brees said.

“This game doesn’t entitle us to anything. It’s just another win in the win column. . . . They only get tougher.”

But perfection is within their grasp -- and that of the Colts.

After they face the Redskins on the road, the Saints play at Atlanta, have home games against Dallas and Tampa Bay, and finish Jan. 3 at Carolina.

The Colts, the only team in NFL history to mount successful fourth-quarter comebacks in five consecutive games, play host to Tennessee and Denver, then are at Jacksonville, home against the New York Jets and finally at Buffalo.

Monday belonged to the Saints and their devoted fans, some of whom once wore bags on their heads in “honor” of the sad-sack hometown team.

But in beating the Patriots, these Saints left no question in the minds of a national TV audience. Well, maybe just one question.

Who dat?

sam.farmer@latimes.com

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