The New Orleans Saints' Week 4 win over the Dallas Cowboys was the most-watched regular season game on NBC Sunday Night Football since 2016.

The game had an average of 24.7 million viewers compared to 26.7 million for Cowboys-New York Giants on Dec. 11, 2016.

Sunday Night Football is averaging 21.4 million viewers across all platforms this season, which is up five percent from the same point last season.

Drew Brees is expected to miss six weeks with a thumb injury, but the quarterback believes he could return to the New Orleans Saints sooner.

"As far as the timetable for getting back though, they say 6 to 8 weeks. I think I can beat that, but I'm just gonna take it one week at a time and see how things go," Brees said in a radio interview.

Brees revealed that he decided to have an internal brace inserted during surgery, which could expedite his recovery timetable.

"It's something that immediately gives it strength and stability, [which] allows you to start rehabbing right away. You don't have to be immobilized or be in a cast," he explained.

Drew Brees will undergo surgery on his thumb and will miss approximately six weeks.

Brees suffered the injury in the first quarter when hitting the hand of Aaron Donald at the end of an incomplete pass.

Brees has missed only one start because of injury since high school.

Teddy Bridgewater will start for the Saints in the absence of Brees.

Drew Brees doesn't know how bad the thumb injury that knocked him out of Sunday's game is, but he conceded that he's worried.

"Yeah, I am concerned. I'm hoping it's not too significant," he said.

The New Orleans Saints quarterback plans to see renowned hand specialist Dr. Steve Shin in Los Angeles.

"I really don't know at this point. There's only so much you can do here other than have a doctor look at it on the sideline," he said.

Brees left late in the first quarter Sunday after his right (throwing) hand hit Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald's hand at the end of an incomplete pass.

Sean Payton has signed a five-year contract extension with the New Orleans Saints.

Payton is the NFL's second longest tenured head coach behind Bill Belichick. Payton's previous contract was scheduled to run through 2020 and paid him more than $9 million per season.

Payton and the Saints did hit a lull in their relationship with three straight 7-9 seasons from 2014 to '16. And Payton briefly considered a possible move before recommitting to the team in January 2016.

Drew Brees could see himself entering the world of politics in the future.

“I don’t know," said Brees when asked about entering politics. "I’m not gonna close the door on anything. I would strongly consider something like that … You say politics—I would strongly consider politics at some point.”

Brees has said he'd like to play until he's 45.

The New Orleans Saints have acquired Kiko Alonso from the New Orleans Saints for Vince Biegel.

Alonso lost his job as a full-time linebacker with the Dolphins changing their defensive scheme under Brian Flores.

Alonso, the 2013 Pro Football Writers of America defensive rookie of the year, has now been traded three times in his career (Buffalo to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Miami, Miami to New Orleans).