Saints relying on Brees for playoff march
But I suspect it may be akin to seeing Drew Brees play for the New Orleans Saints.
Brees continued his push toward winning the NFL's Most Valuable Player Award in Monday night's 51-29 rout of visiting Green Bay. He tossed four touchdowns against one of the NFL's top pass defenses. He posted a near-perfect quarterback rating of 157.5. He completed 20 of 26 passes for 323 yards, putting him on pace for an NFL-record 5,199-yard season.
"He's been playing awesome for us," Saints running back Deuce McAllister said. "He's hot. We're going to ride it until we can't anymore."
The trip may be over in five weeks.
Despite Monday's outcome, Green Bay (5-6) is actually in better position to make the playoffs than New Orleans (6-5). The Packers are just one game out of first place in the NFC North. The Saints are last in the NFC South and behind four teams in the wild-card race. A loss Sunday at Tampa Bay (8-3) would severely damage any chance for a postseason berth.
"Every good team, especially the ones that go to the playoffs, is making runs now and winning a number of games in a row," Brees said. "That's what we're trying to do."
Brees gives them a shot. Despite his team's leaky pass defense. Despite the possible four-game suspensions of McAllister and starting defensive end Will Smith for alleged drug-policy violations. Despite a shaky kicking game.
NFL Week 17
![]() |
Week 17 action
-
Vikings 20, Giants 19 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 33, Saints 31 -- Recap | Box
Packers 31, Lions 21 -- Recap | Box
Falcons 31, Rams 27 -- Recap | Box
Texans 31, Bears 24 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 13, Bills 0 -- Recap | Box
Colts 23, Titans 0 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 31, Browns 0 -- Recap | Box
Raiders 31, Bucs 24 -- Recap | Box
Bengals 16, Chiefs 6 -- Recap | Box
Eagles 44, Cowboys 6 -- Recap | Box
Dolphins 24, Jets 17 -- Recap | Box
49ers 27, Redskins 24 -- Recap | Box
Ravens 27, Jaguars 7 -- Recap | Box
Cardinals 34, 'Hawks 24 -- Recap | Box
Chargers 52, Broncos 21 -- Recap | Box
Analysis
Video
Photos
Brees is just that good.
His skills were on display again Monday as New Orleans tied the franchise's single-game scoring record. After an incompletion on his first pass, Brees connected on 13 consecutive throws and that wasn't even his longest string of the season (he nailed 16 straight last month against Oakland).
"They did a great job beating us in man, zone or whatever (coverage) we were in," Packers cornerback Charles Woodson said. "They made the plays. It's just that simple."
Brees picked apart Green Bay with short to intermediate passes, one of which wide receiver Lance Moore turned into a 70-yard touchdown. Brees also had success deep, connecting with receiver Marques Colston on another 70-yard score that gave New Orleans a commanding 45-21 lead late in the third quarter. He wasn't intercepted or sacked, the result of outstanding protection and Brees' mobility.
"It didn't seem to matter where we got the ball," Brees said. "Whether it was good field position or backed up, we were hitting it. For as many points as we scored, we only had eight third downs. A lot of these drives were just chunks and chunks and chunks (of yardage)."
Brees has accumulated chunks of passing yards this season 3,574 to be exact despite injuries that have sidelined dangerous receiving targets like Colston, running back Reggie Bush and tight end Jeremy Shockey. In comparison, former Miami quarterback Dan Marino had 3,340 yards after 11 games en route to his record 5,084-yard campaign in 1984.
Bolstering his chances of topping Marino, Brees will enjoy favorable playing conditions down the stretch. The only potential winter-weather game is Dec. 11 at Chicago. Three of the remaining five contests including home matchups against division rivals Carolina (8-3) and Atlanta (7-4) are inside domes.
The Saints may need to win them all for a playoff berth.
New Orleans is in this position because of a 1-4 road record that includes losses to the Panthers and Falcons. The pass defense is the main culprit. Even after a strong Monday night effort that included three interceptions of Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Saints' secondary is still ranked 24th in the NFL. New Orleans also is tied for the third-highest number of touchdowns allowed (18).
Brees throws passes. He can't defend them as well.
"We know the work that's ahead of us," Brees said. "Nobody is paying attention to personal accolades or anything else. It's all business."
While the 1973 Bills fell short of the playoffs at 9-5, Simpson could take solace in being named the NFL's MVP. Nobody from a nonplayoff team has captured the honor since.
With as well as he has played, it would be a shame if Brees becomes the player to break that streak. But unless Monday night was a true breakthrough performance for his entire team, that's how such a magnificent season may be ending.
Member Comments
For the last 3 yeasr Drew Brees has been the only consistant player for the Saints and I know they don't have a great recored but he deserves MVP HANDS DOWN!!!! Clinton Portis is mentioned and I don't think Washington has been that consistant this year. Kurt Warner has had 2 bad weeks so again I say DREW BREES MVP!!!!!
saintsmama11/29/2008 21:22:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
LOL @ The Jets fans riding favres jock...hahahahahahahahahahaha
Bloozmann11/29/2008 9:32:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I've read some of the previous comments, and most of them say Brett doesn't have the numbers. I'm saying MVP is MOST VALUABLE PLAYER! Not most outragious stats, fact is, you take Favre off the Jets and you have a 3 win team. Romo is another guy I'd say is an MVP, when he's out they boys stink, if he's in, they win. I don't like him, but Tony Romo has that spunk. But Brett favre is the MVP no doubt right now in my mind.
11/29/2008 9:24:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
ok here's the deal, if Brees brings the Saints back into the playoffs, I see him getting MVP, if not, it should go to Brett Favre.
11/29/2008 9:17:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
P.S. I shake a voodoo doll @ all teams in the south other than the Saints just for fun .hahaha! serious though good luck bucs.You really are gonna need it .Who Dat!!!
GooGooMuck11/27/2008 14:32:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
For all the people with ADD the games The Saints lost were from bad offical calls and a has been kicker.I think Drew had 1 bad game this year.So if it werent for Gra-mis-aca we would be in 1st.Just keep your eyes on Sunday the 30Th when all you doubters,and bewildered teams in the South see who should be in 1st.nuff said.Who Dat!!!
GooGooMuck11/27/2008 14:28:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I read these comments reference to the league MVP and the thought process that you can't be an MVP player on a team that isn't destined for the playoffs. Well with that mindset and thinking, why stop there? Let's just pick someone from the Super Bowl winner. I thought the MVP award was for a player who performed at such a high level at his position that he set himself apart from all others, regardless of how his team did. What the heck does the record have to do with it. Brees, Portis and Warner all are having exceptional years. Any of the three would make fine recipients, regardless of their record at the end of the year.
fedupwithit11/26/2008 21:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Crankerr - you totally ignore the fact that Brett Favre could write a book on how to destroy 16 years of good will in 3 months. Favre was the one who played the entire soap opera through the media. He had his loyal minions speak for him, then he bad mouthed the organization. Most of us in Green Bay are tired of the prima donna. The Packers won one superbowl during his tenure. He may want to win them, but he can not win them alone. It takes a team to do that.<br />Good luck in New York to him and good by to bad rubbage. I back the team, not the individual.
Badger196911/26/2008 8:56:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Come see me when he has 5085 yards and/or 51 TD's.
11/26/2008 7:38:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
i still give Warner the advantage on his way to his 3rd....and a HOF certainty at that point
peterfaden11/26/2008 7:26:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
league MVP...i still include Collins on this list (last week not withstanding-besides, i think out of the first 10 passes thrown, he had 5 drops by the receiver, or something similar)....MVP based on team impact anyhow....although i definitely give Brees the edge (similar situation with the receiving core, but better numbers)......however, in the NFL, team impact includes a playoff run...i don't believe the Saints will go that far.
peterfaden11/26/2008 7:24:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
As usual Marvez has no freaking idea of what he is talking about. Brees for MVP? For what? For leading the Saints to a 6 and 5 season so far. Or for maybe leading them to a play off spot? What a moron. How about Kurt Warner for leading AZ to a divsion title and a winning record. When someone writes crap like Marvez just did they should be banned from writing anything other than their name for at least two weeks.
dnash111/26/2008 6:07:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Kurt Warner goes number one, on a technicality. Portis number two, on a technicality. there's no doubt in my mind drew brees is having the better year out of all three teams, and is actually more deserving of the award, but it's the Most Valuable Player award. you determine a player's value by their success, and how much of the load they carry. Kurt Warner is having a similar year to Brees, and is certain to be in the playoffs. Clinton Portis is the reason it's exciting to watch Jason Campbell learn a completely new offense. without portis, he'd progress, but we wouldn't be anywhere near the playoff hunt. Drew Brees is a sensational quarterback. but, the Saints MVP is their non existent defense. right now, if it existed, they'd be an elite NFC team.
redskins697011/26/2008 2:27:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
So tell me why all this talk about Brees when Warner's stats are almost identical. Kurt has 1 ;ess td & 3 less int's but 1 more win. Let's see if Brees get's the Aints to the playoffs. I think Favre is going to win it if the Jets win the AFC East.
11/25/2008 22:33:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
BREE;S HAS PLAYED GREAT DURING HIS CAREER THEN THAT UGHLY CHOKE REARS ITS HEAD I FEEL SORY FOR HIM HE JUST TRIES TO HARD IN THE BIG GAMES , SO IF HE DONT PALY IN THE BIG GAME THEN MAYBE THE SAINTS COULD WIN IT ALL OOPS BREE'S I DO HOPE YOU THE BEST . JUST STOP TRYING TO WIN IT BY YOUR SELF IN THE BIG GAMES..... WONDER WHAT GREEN BAYS RECORD WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH FARVE HMM WOULD SOME OF THE PLAYERS HAVE JUST STOOD AROUND AND WAITED FOR HIM TO MAKE THE BIG PLAY,,, WHO KNOWS LOL
crankerr11/25/2008 22:12:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
badger 1969 IT IS A FACT BRETT IS A PLAYER WHO WANTS TO WIN SUPER BOWLS AND FACT FOR THE LAST UMPTEN YEARS YOU DONT WANT TO TALK TO BRETT A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE SEASON IS OVER IF HE IS COMING BACK .DID YOU EVER WONDER ABOUT THE INBETWEEN THE LINES LIKE MAYBE BRETT IS SAYING LOOK OWNERS BRING IN SOME LINEMEN OR SOME ONE WHO HAS SPEED TO PASS TO ,, AND THE OWNERS SAYING ITS NOT UP TO YOU WHO WE BRING IN BUT THE G.M .FACT HOW MANY TIMES YOU SEE SOME ONE WHO IS WILLING TO TAKE A PAY CUT YET A OWNER REFUSES TO CHANGE HIS LINE UP OR DRAFT , THEM ARE FACTS .DON;T LET THE MEDIA SET YOUR MIND BY THERE WAY OF SEEING THINGS , CAUSE THEY SURE WILL TRY THATS ANOTHER FACT LOL INTANGABLES ARE THEM GREYS AREA'S AND THE THINGS THAT MAKE A TEAM WIN OR LOSE THATS A FACT , SURE TAKE A COMMENT THEN REPEAT IT THATS A FACT ITS THE OTHER THINGS NOT SAID THAT ARE NEVER MENTIONED (((((( FARVE M.V.P )))) FACT HE WONT EVEN BE MENTIONED CAUSE IT IS OWNERS WHO WOULD LOOK BAD THEN WHO WOULD A WRITER GET TO TALK TO ON THATS TEAMS MANAGMENT ,, RITE O . NOW YOU HAVE THE PICTURE LOL
crankerr11/25/2008 22:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I stand corrected they are 1 game over 500...whoop dee doo
BillWalshIsAGod11/25/2008 21:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Warner is the MVP! Since he has became the starter they have the 2nd overall passing attack and will win their division....brees is putting up alot of stats, but he is not winning games the way somebody up for the award. Portis I would agree should be up there. Brees is out of this convo until they at least have a winning record
BillWalshIsAGod11/25/2008 21:49:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
i dont understand why Favre is being overlooked for MVP, he is playing incredible, and is actually winning games for his team, not just putting up stats
cheese_head11/25/2008 21:12:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)




advertisement

