When: Brees and the Saints (3-4) head to Santa Clara to face the 49ers, who have one of the NFL’s worst defenses (and the worst offense) Sunday. A week later, they face the opposite extreme in the Broncos, who own the league’s top-ranked passing defense (183.9 yards allowed per game) and are tied for lead in sacks (26).
What’s up: With a balanced attack (there’s that term, again), Brees helped the Saints to a come-from-behind victory over the Seahawks last Sunday, passing for 265 yards and a touchdown — well below his usual at home — while posting a 107.4 passer rating.
Background: With Brees at the helm, the Saints lead the league in passing yards (326.9 per game) and rank second in scoring (28.7 points per game). The veteran QB has thrown a touchdown pass in 58 consecutive home games, an NFL record, and needs four more TDs to join Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508) as the only players in history to throw for at least 450 in their careers.
Jhabvala’s take: Not that anyone possibly could have forgotten, but Brees, at 37, is still dangerous and dominant. The Saints’ victory over the Seahawks was one to remember, but Brees has had so many of those. He’s already added passing records (15 400-yard games) and milestones (50,000 passing yards with one team) to his resume this season. More will come, maybe as early as Sunday. It’s hard to not appreciate the show.
