NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees hit C.J. Spiller with a short pass that the running back turned into an 80-yard touchdown -- the 400th of the Saints quarterback's career -- on the second play of overtime, and New Orleans won for the first time this season, 26-20 over the injury-decimated Cowboys on Monday night.
The Saints quarterback completed 33 of 41 throws for 359 yards and two TDs in his return, including a 3-yard touchdown to tight end Josh Hill, to give New Orleans a 7-3 lead over Dallas.
That TD pass marked the 5,000th completion of Brees' 15-year career, which ranks third in NFL history behind only Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. It was also the 399th touchdown pass of Brees' career, which ranks fifth all time.
Brees was certain of the overtime call to get the ball to Spiller.
"Honestly, right when the play call came out of [Saints coach] Sean Payton's mouth for C.J., I thought, 'This is it. This one's going the distance.'"
Spiller was quick to turn the credit and attention back to Brees after his touchdown ended the game.
"I ran up to him, and I said, 'This is your ball, brother. You deserve it,'" Spiller said. "I mean, he's probably the best teammate that I've every played with, just from his work ethic, his preparation, the way that he believes in his guys, and then also the way he goes out and competes each and every play."
Brees, who returned Sunday after missing last weekend's game with a bruised rotator cuff, dodged a bullet on his opening series. He threw what should've been an interception on third down when he was hit just as he released an underthrown pass to receiver Marques Colston, but Cowboys cornerback Tyler Patmon dropped the easy pick.
"We had to really earn it on both sides of the ball, all the way around," Brees said. "These types of wins really strengthen you, really bring you together, help build confidence."
Not only did Brees know that the game-winning TD was his 400th, he said he let it become part of his motivation heading into overtime.
"It was funny. As I was standing over there before we went out, I did kinda think to myself -- and this rarely happens -- I did think to myself, 'Maybe God intended No. 400 to be the one that wins this game.' Thanks to C.J. Spiller, that happened," Brees said of his thought process after the Saints missed a potential game-winning 30-yard field goal at the end of regulation.
When asked if the shoulder felt as good as it always has, Brees said, "I mean, yeah, I felt good. I felt good enough." Then he laughed and added, "Good enough to get the job done."
Information from ESPN.com's Mike Triplett and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
