The NFL has decided to review the hit by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, according to reports.

Brooks was penalised for a personal foul late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's match, negating a sack and a fumble that may have given the 49ers a chance to see out the three-point lead they had at the time.

Instead, the Saints were able to kick a game-tying field goal before going on to win the match in the closing stages with another kick that made it 23-20.

Brooks was adamant that his hit was legal, a view supported by 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who described the incident as a "great play".

However, the rules prohibit players from hitting the quarterback in the head or neck and the NFL is thought to view the play as a textbook example of that, according to ESPN.

If the league decides that Brooks was guilty of an illegal play then he will face a fine rather than a ban.