Drew Brees

On a night thought by many to be Peyton Manning's coronation, Drew Brees ended up at the post-game podium as the MVP of the night after a 31-17 victory. Sunday's championship contest didn't get off to the most exciting of starts, but it sure finished with one.

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If you miss it, you could miss one of the most explosive Super Bowl match-ups in history. Behind Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, these offenses are always threats to hit the big play. That gives defensive coordinators headaches. Each defense will look to pressure the opposing QB early and often. Whoever best achieves that goal has the best chance to take home the coveted Lombardi Trophy.

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ing.

For all Payton's offensive genius, the man that makes the Saints who they are is quarterback Drew Brees. Barely six feet tall, Brees is accurate, unselfish and has no favorite targets. If you're open, he'll find you. Ten different receivers caught touchdown passes this season, making every Saint not part of the offensive line a threat to score. He may not be Peyton Manning (but who is?), but since he dropped down in New Orleans no one has played better than Brees. Winning a title would make him an elite quarterback of the era.

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Are you ready for two weeks of hype for a Brett Favre versus Peyton Manning Super Bowl?

Well TOO FREAKING BAD! The Saints were having none of it today. And what a coincidence that in a year marred by missed field goals, it was on the leg of lesser-known Saints kicker Garrett Hartley that the Saints earned a spot in their first ever Super Bowl with a 31-28 win over the Vikings.

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They'll need it to keep Drew Brees and the Saints offense on the sidelines. In an opposing dome, the Viking o-line must maintain their composure and avoid costly penalties that will put Favre in obvious passing situations. Percy Harvin is expected to play after missing practices all week with migraines. Minnesota's defense can rush the passer and stop the run with the best of the NFL, but they are weak in the secondary. Getting to Brees early and often could shift the balance in their purple-flavored-favor. Will Favre reach the Super Bowl and ignite sports nation in two weeks of hype?

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Their two turnovers killed drives and gave the Saints 14 points.

Even though Drew Brees had a stellar performance, completing 23/32 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns, it was Bush who stole the spotlight. His early physical play set up his lateral moves as the game continued, especially on a 46-yard run where he stopped and started no less than three times before breaking it past the Cardinal secondary. An 83-yard punt return in the third gave Bush his second TD and his most significant games as a pro. It could not have come at a better time. 

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Followed up by a shocking loss to Tampa Bay and a give-in to Carolina, Drew Brees and the Saints may have significant rust to shake off to start this one. On the plus side, running back Pierre Thomas and tight end Jeremy Shockey will be back from injury, giving Brees his full complement of weapons. Defensively, the Saints lagged in the final stretch of the regular season, but still ended up leading the league with a whopping 39 takeaways. Resigning Deuce McAllister for the post-season won't do much more than provide some inspiration and crowd fervor. 

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Even without tight end Jeremy Shockey, Drew Brees has an abundance of weapons at his disposal. If the Saints move to 14-0, it will could signal the end of Dallas' playoff hopes and the end of Wade Philips' tenure as head coach.

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aints 26
(6-7) Atlanta Falcons 23

A Chris Redman-led Falcons mounted a valiant comeback, but Drew Brees and the Saints pulled out a thriller to clinch the NFC South. With a Saturday night game against Dallas coming up, the unbeaten New Orleans is proving they are the true team to beat in the NFC, winning in a variety of ways. 

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Oh well. I guess I’d settle for a blowout and four touchdowns from Drew Brees. I’m sorry, is my bias showing? Go Saints.

Alright everyone, enjoy the games!

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By the way, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning are pretty good. *cough*Favre won*cough* Let’s wrap the week eight in the NFL with the Final Drive!

(5-2) Dallas Cowboys 38
(2-5) Seattle Seahawks 17

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This weekend Denver faces yet another stiff challenge, and four division match-ups make the Opening Drive! Oh yeah, and some guy named Favre returns to the second team he played for. No big whoop. Let’s analyze! 

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Dolphins 34 

Oh Miami, you were so close! It was a valiant effort, but you can’t hold Drew Brees down for long. His two rushing TD’s are proof of that. Down 21 points in the first half, the Saints fought back with 36 points in the second, including a 42-yard interception return by Darren Sharper. Tony Sparano’s Dolphins show promise for the future, but their schedule so far this season has been simply brutal. 

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may find success with the Wildcat, but they won’t be able to match up points with the Saints. Drew Brees is far too accurate with the football to be human. 

(3-2) Arizona Cardinals at (5-1) New York Giants 

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w York Giants 27 

What was supposed to be the best game of the weekend was over by halftime. Drew Brees let loose with another four TD’s as the Saints pwned the Giants in Louisiana. But the football sky isn’t falling in New York… at least not for Giants fans. 

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ns Saints 

Total lossless action Batman! Eli and the G-Men head to Louisiana to face a fresh Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Both of these defenses aren’t getting enough love because their quarterbacks are hogging all the attention with outstanding play. Manning has shined in spite of his young receivers and Flacco might have the best long ball in the league. 

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>Where have you been?  

(4-0) New Orleans Saints 24
(3-1) New York Jets 10 

Drew Brees hasn’t thrown a touchdown for a second straight week and the Saints are still undefeated. Why? They’ve established a running game and played excellent defense. That will win you plenty of football games. For the Jets, Mark Sanchez simply played the game we all knew was coming. He’s not Joe Namath yet, but he’s definitely going to be successful in this league. 

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They face off against Drew Brees and the high-powered Saints, who proved last week they have a defense of their own. The Jets can’t keep up with the Saints on the scoreboard, so their defense will need to keep it close. If the Saints get above 24 points, you can almost lock in a win. 

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The offense rushed for 222 yards and didn’t need Drew Brees to throw a touchdown. Now that’s impressive. 

(2-1) Cincinnati Bengals 23
(1-2) Pittsburgh Steelers 20 

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s Saints (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (1-1)

How long can Buffalo’s defense keep it close? I think Drew Brees and the Saints will have a two touchdown lead by halftime. They’re just that good. T.O. has to be more ready for downfield throws than he was last week, because they’ll need every score they can get.

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That’s what happens when you get in a shoot-out with Drew Brees. He’s going to win that battle. Is there a better quarterback right now? The Saints should scare the jock straps off most teams.

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make Brady angry?

New Orleans Saints (1-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)

Now we’ll see if Drew Brees can rack up the same stats against a good defense as he did versus the Lions. Philly’s D is hard-hitting and aggressive, but their blitzes could leave openings for the big play. If Kevin Kolb ends up starting this one in place of Donovan McNabb, I don’t know if the Eagles can match points with the Saints.  

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n a freak play? Ouch.

New Orleans Saints 45, Detroit Lions 27

Even if it was against the Lions, Drew Brees’ six touchdowns are nothing short of amazing. They were from all over the field, hitting multiple receivers. They let a rookie QB lead his team to 27 points, but it was a great first game for the Saints.

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  Drew Brees won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.  I can’t argue with that pick.  Anytime you come within a deep out route of Dan Marino’s single season passing record, you can be the Offensive POY.Mike Smith was Coach of the Year.  I can’t argue there either.  Any of the successful rookie head coaches, Smith, Sparano, and Harbaugh, could have won this award.  Smith had the toughest situation before the season started and led the Falcons to the playoffs.  The Patriots franchised Matt Cassell.  That was a no-brainer.  Sure, on the surface, $29 million next year for two quarterbacks seems steep.  But the salary cap is going up about $28 million next year.  Take away the $14 million they are giving Cassell and this still have about $14 million more to spend next year than they did this year.  They sure up the most important position on the offense.  Plus, if they trade him they get a 1st and 3rd round pick.  Who knows, there may be a team out there that is only a good QB away from going to the next level.  Hello Buffalo? (And if you think the Pats won’t let Cassell go to Buffalo talk to Lawyer Milloy or Drew Bledsoe.)Did you see Lil’ Wayne on 1st and 10 on ESPN2?  When I heard he was going to be on I set-up the DVR because I had to watch.  Get this….he was really good.  He knows his sports.  His points were lucid and made lots of sense.  He made some statements that were bold and polarizing, which is what you want out of a talking-head.  I must say this though.  Skip Bayless said he loves Lil’ Wayne’s music and thinks Tha Carter III is Weezy’s Purple Rain.  Am I to believe Bayless really listens to hip-hop?  No offense Skip, but you are probably most buttoned up lily white person on ESPN’s roster.  If you’re not, you are in the team photo with Woody Paige and Marty Smith. 

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to get creative in these final weeks. 

Chicago’s defense came out strong, intercepting Drew Brees in the first quarter and giving up only seven points in the game’s first forty minutes. It was the seventeen points they surrendered in the final twenty that allowed the Saints to take the lead and regain hopes of a post-season. Brees ended up being picked off twice, but his 226 yards and two touchdowns almost made up for his mistakes. Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush combined for 117 yards on the ground for New Orleans, giving them control over the clock, especially in the second half. Lovie Smith’s much-ballyhooed “Tampa-Two” defensive scheme was dissected by the opposing quarterback again this season, offering little in the way of actual defense. This system, as well as their roster is going to require a major overhaul in the off-season, and it’ll start with the defensive line. Anthony Adams and Israel Idonije took turns filling in for the injured Dusty Dvoraceck, coming up with big plays against the run. Unfortunately, Chicago’s pass rush only accounted for one sack of Brees, making it difficult to throw off the Pro-bowler’s rhythm. The coaching staff must make better adjustments at halftime and prepare for what the opposing team will do, instead of stubbornly sticking to their predictable game plans. When are they going to learn? 

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ot a threat to run the ball, in spite of the 180 plus yards they gained on the Falcons last Sunday. Drew Brees will drop-back quite a bit, ensuring that two or three throws will be up for grabs. Chicago needs only to do the grabbing. If they can’t capitalize on their chances, the Bears will be overwhelmed by the weaponry Coach Sean Payton has at his disposal. Jeremy Shockey, Marques Colston, and Reggie Bush all have the ability to break down defenses in various ways, but it is Bush that will be the x-factor for the Saints. His triple threat as a running back, wide receiver and punt return specialist could expose the Bears’ defensive schemes if utilized correctly. Lovie Smith must ensure his defenders are put in the best position to make plays in order to give his offense enough possessions to match the Saints’ point output. 

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The offense looked great and even more importantly the defense held up. They did that even without star corner Mike McKenzie, who got scratched Sunday. Saints fans have to be pleased opening the year with a win over the defending division champions.

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He’s more effective that way.

Drew Brees is a fantastic quarterback. He is accurate, has a good arm, and can win football games if you let him. Drew Brees needs a chance to open up this offense this year. He is their only viable option at Quarterback and its not a bad option at all. Brees needs to be able to throw the ball down the field to one of his talented wide recievers. This is an offense thats based around the run, but maybe they need to work on making it more balanced. Brees can get it done. They have to let him do it.

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Here's to a healthy Deuce McAllister, a reinvigorated Drew Brees and a defense that could actually stop you or I from scoring.

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