"I'm going to have to shut my phone off at the end of the week; a lot of people reaching out, family and friends. It's a little bit surreal, quite frankly, but I've got to do a great job of staying in the moment, staying focused on the game, the game plan and not get wrapped up. I can think about it after the fact."

NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees has heard his critics getting louder this season.

The talk might be about the 36-year-old quarterback's advancing age. Or his ability to bounce back from a Week 2 throwing-shoulder injury. Or his $20 million annual salary causing the Saints undue salary-cap pressure.

Yet Brees contends he can play as well as ever, and on Sunday against the New York Giants, he sure did.


Brees passed for 505 yards and an NFL record-tying seven touchdowns, and recently signed Kai Forbath kicked a 50-yard field goal as time ran out, giving the Saints a 52-49 victory in a game with a record 13 scoring passes.

Available:
RG Cesar Ruiz (concussion) didn't practice to start the week, but he gradually ramped up to limited reps and then a full day's work on Friday. He's expected to play and should start at his usual spot.
TE Juwan Johnson (foot) was limited throughout the week but is expected to play.
C Erik McCoy (groin) was also limited on Wednesday and Thursday, but he upgraded to full practice reps on Friday and should return to the starting lineup.
TE Foster Moreau (ankle) saw limited practice reps this week, too, but he upgraded to full participation on Friday and is expected to play.
LG Lucas Patrick (calf) had the same pattern as Moreau and McCoy; he was limited for the first two days of practice and ramped up to full reps to close out the week. If he can play the Saints will have all five starting offensive linemen together for the first time since Week 3.
S Tyrann Mathieu (forearm) practiced fully throughout the week and is expected to play on Sunday.
LB Pete Werner (hand) was a full participant at practice all week and should be expected to play.
Four Giants players were listed on the injury report this week but are expected to be available: QB Tommy DeVito (forearm), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), DB Tyler Nubin (knee), and DB Dane Belton (hip).

Questionable:
DL Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) practiced fully throughout the week, but he's still on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and must be activated. He has another week of eligibility remaining if the Saints want to wait a little longer.
RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) also practiced fully this week, though he remains on injured reserve and must be activated, too. All indications are that he'll be up to play on Sunday.