That would actually be an interesting game to watch. The 2000 Rams vs the 2011 Saints. It's like tecmo-bowl on steroids.

3 QBs with over 5K yards this season (could have been 4-5)? Hard to argue they are the greatest of all time, I think there are just more teams that don't care about:

A) the running game
B) the defense

FYI, the Saints and Packers have the #31 and #32 defenses in the league. They don't really need them, though. They just have to get that 6th TD pass.

robsul82: You're Goddamned right they are.

Well that's what ya get when you have Breesus in your corner. :D

Next up for the Saints: Breaking the Curse of the Passing Champion, who does not have the greatest track record in terms of SB victories...

kukukupo: FYI, the Saints and Packers have the #31 and #32 defenses in the league.

Curious, by what metric? Patriots and Packers are #31 and #32 by yardage with Saints #24, but Saints, Patriots, and Packers are all middle-of-the-pack in points allowed.

Saints defense did tie for fewest forced turnovers in the league, but Green Bay was great in that area.

kukukupo: FYI, the Saints and Packers have the #31 and #32 defenses in the league. They don't really need them, though. They just have to get that 6th TD pass.

Wut?

didn't the saints beat the rams in the playoffs that year?

/hated the saints then.

Only team offensive stat that means anything is points scored. Only team defensive stat that means anything is points allowed. Most yards? Who gives a shiat.

GOB: Only team defensive stat that means anything is points allowed.

Not sure about that, GB is 19th and went 15-1.

Forgot_my_password_again: GOB: Only team defensive stat that means anything is points allowed.

Not sure about that, GB is 19th and went 15-1.

How do they rank in points scored? Noone is accusing GB of winning on the strength of their defense.

The Incredible Sexual Egg: The 2007 Patriots would beg to differ

Yeah I thought the 2007 Patriots was the best Greatest Show On Turf.

Wish the Rams would have pulled off an upset against the 49ers like they did the Saints earlier this season, but I'll take that 8 game winning streak and 1st round home game.

Better than being a Cowboys fan, dats fo sho.

I've always wondered about the "it's so easy now" argument. If it's so easy now, why has nobody else done it by us? Why did it take eleven years to break the Rams' record? Why is Brees given no credit for not only breaking Marino's record but doing it in a better fashion than when Marino set it so many years ago - and why does nobody take into account that Brees could have done it years ago but we didn't try to force it? Remember how after the rule changes it was broken every year for three or four years in a row, culminating in Marino's record, and then nobody broke it until this year? Why wasn't it "so easy" during the interlude?

The 18-1 Patriots were one of the most dominating teams of all time but they didn't set this record. The Saints' sole Super Bowl squad didn't set this record when they were on their amazing manhandling year. I'd give you a list of prolific offenses but I think you get my point. The Saints destroyed over the air and over the ground, with a bipolar defense that lets out way more yards than it does points scored and still ranked 12th in rushing defense. But we'll discard this accomplishment because "it's so easy". So easy that nobody could do it for over a decade until now, right?

GOB: Noone is accusing GB of winning on the strength of their defense.

true, it has been a sore point here. the strength of the packers defense is in turnovers, where they rank 2nd in total turnovers.

GBs offense is first in ppg.

Chupacabra Sandwich: NO they don't because this league has no defense.

This feat was more impressive in the 2000s back when teams could still touch the qb and actually player defense. Games without defense are just boring, when its basically scoring at will then what's the fun?

I look forward to next year's rules changes when they decide that the defense can only have 10 players on the field.

Imagine the excitement of the NFL when you have 16 quarterbacks throwing for 5K+ plus a season, instead of a paltry 3. Heck, this might even get Tebow into the 5K territory, and then the talking heads at ESPN with explode.

I like how Belicheck douched it up by throwing it to Gronkowski so he could set the TE record when they could have just taken a knee to end the game.

I hope he feels special now, since he was able to deny the Saints one season record.

steamingpile: This feat was more impressive in the 2000s back when teams could still touch the qb and actually player defense. Games without defense are just boring, when its basically scoring at will then what's the fun?

The rules have stayed the same for 15 years now.

Fricknmaniac: I like how Belicheck douched it up by throwing it to Gronkowski so he could set the TE record when they could have just taken a knee to end the game.

I hope he feels special now, since he was able to deny the Saints one season record.

Saints fan here. Gronkowski earned it. I wish Graham had gotten more yards but he didnt. Gronkowski did.

hurdboy: konigsforst: didn't the saints beat the rams in the playoffs that year?

/hated the saints then.

Yes, the week after beating them in St. Louis the final game of the season to win the NFC West.

No, the final game that year was Rams at Saints, which the Rams won, denying Saints the #2 seed.

/Details, details, the important thing was that Hakeem dropped the ball.

kukukupo: 3 QBs with over 5K yards this season (could have been 4-5)? Hard to argue they are the greatest of all time, I think there are just more teams that don't care about:

A) the running game
B) the defense

FYI, the Saints and Packers have the #31 and #32 defenses in the league. They don't really need them, though. They just have to get that 6th TD pass.

You also have to at least consider the more liberal rules regarding pass interference, illegal contact (which didn't even exist as a penalty back when the 2000 rams played) and roughing the passer.

kukukupo: 3 QBs with over 5K yards this season (could have been 4-5)? Hard to argue they are the greatest of all time, I think there are just more teams that don't care about:

A) the running game
B) the defense

FYI, the Saints and Packers have the #31 and #32 defenses in the league. They don't really need them, though. They just have to get that 6th TD pass.

I really wonder if it's going to be a Saint-Packers NFC championship game. Pretty much a lock that one of those two ends up there, but the Giants and their nasty front four are getting healthy at the right time.

If they beat the Falcons and the Saints beat Detroit, that would put them in Green Bay for the second round. GB would be favored heavily, but there would have to be cause for concern.

Fricknmaniac: I like how Belicheck douched it up by throwing it to Gronkowski so he could set the TE record when they could have just taken a knee to end the game.

I hope he feels special now, since he was able to deny the Saints one season record.

Didn't Payton do this in week 16, so that Brees could break Marino's record?

/Seahawks
//Hoping the Steelers have the same fate with the Tebows

Your squawk tears, they amuse me.
However, I've got a feeling that Mr. Tebow may surprise some people on this game.
I hope not...
/Steelers fan

Sargun: I've always wondered about the "it's so easy now" argument. If it's so easy now, why has nobody else done it by us? Why did it take eleven years to break the Rams' record? Why is Brees given no credit for not only breaking Marino's record but doing it in a better fashion than when Marino set it so many years ago - and why does nobody take into account that Brees could have done it years ago but we didn't try to force it? Remember how after the rule changes it was broken every year for three or four years in a row, culminating in Marino's record, and then nobody broke it until this year? Why wasn't it "so easy" during the interlude?

The 18-1 Patriots were one of the most dominating teams of all time but they didn't set this record. The Saints' sole Super Bowl squad didn't set this record when they were on their amazing manhandling year. I'd give you a list of prolific offenses but I think you get my point. The Saints destroyed over the air and over the ground, with a bipolar defense that lets out way more yards than it does points scored and still ranked 12th in rushing defense. But we'll discard this accomplishment because "it's so easy". So easy that nobody could do it for over a decade until now, right?

I think the biggest reason for that is most teams call off the dogs once the lead gets so great, the saints seem to think its better to pour it on. This makes other nfl teams hate them.

The best example of calling off the dogs happened yesterday with the falcons, once they put up 42 in the first half they quit punishing a team where the saints would have just went up to 60.

The saints went from beloved underdog to hated dicks in the nfl faster than the patriots, that's quite a feat.

dforkus: If they beat the Falcons and the Saints beat Detroit, that would put them in Green Bay for the second round. GB would be favored heavily, but there would have to be cause for concern.

As a Packers fan, the Saints scare me more than the Giants. Giants defense is good, but the Packers will have Jennings, Bulaga and Clifton back for the playoffs, so if they are healthy, I think that'll be the difference.

However, I think Atlanta is going to beat NYG.

dforkus: kukukupo: 3 QBs with over 5K yards this season (could have been 4-5)? Hard to argue they are the greatest of all time, I think there are just more teams that don't care about:

A) the running game
B) the defense

FYI, the Saints and Packers have the #31 and #32 defenses in the league. They don't really need them, though. They just have to get that 6th TD pass.

I really wonder if it's going to be a Saint-Packers NFC championship game. Pretty much a lock that one of those two ends up there, but the Giants and their nasty front four are getting healthy at the right time.

If they beat the Falcons and the Saints beat Detroit, that would put them in Green Bay for the second round. GB would be favored heavily, but there would have to be cause for concern.

Yeah the giants were the worse possible team the falcons could play, they shut down the running game and the falcons don't have enough receivers to completely abandon that aspect of the game.

I like julio jones but they needed O-line help more than a playmaker, hope they make line changed in the off season.

GOB: Only team offensive stat that means anything is points scored. Only team defensive stat that means anything is points allowed. Most yards? Who gives a shiat.

QFT

steamingpile: Sargun: I've always wondered about the "it's so easy now" argument. If it's so easy now, why has nobody else done it by us? Why did it take eleven years to break the Rams' record? Why is Brees given no credit for not only breaking Marino's record but doing it in a better fashion than when Marino set it so many years ago - and why does nobody take into account that Brees could have done it years ago but we didn't try to force it? Remember how after the rule changes it was broken every year for three or four years in a row, culminating in Marino's record, and then nobody broke it until this year? Why wasn't it "so easy" during the interlude?

The 18-1 Patriots were one of the most dominating teams of all time but they didn't set this record. The Saints' sole Super Bowl squad didn't set this record when they were on their amazing manhandling year. I'd give you a list of prolific offenses but I think you get my point. The Saints destroyed over the air and over the ground, with a bipolar defense that lets out way more yards than it does points scored and still ranked 12th in rushing defense. But we'll discard this accomplishment because "it's so easy". So easy that nobody could do it for over a decade until now, right?

I think the biggest reason for that is most teams call off the dogs once the lead gets so great, the saints seem to think its better to pour it on. This makes other nfl teams hate them.

The best example of calling off the dogs happened yesterday with the falcons, once they put up 42 in the first half they quit punishing a team where the saints would have just went up to 60.

The saints went from beloved underdog to hated dicks in the nfl faster than the patriots, that's quite a feat.

So what you're saying is that Brees didn't actually end up sitting in the 4th quarter four different times this season?

Cheops: steamingpile: Sargun: I've always wondered about the "it's so easy now" argument. If it's so easy now, why has nobody else done it by us? Why did it take eleven years to break the Rams' record? Why is Brees given no credit for not only breaking Marino's record but doing it in a better fashion than when Marino set it so many years ago - and why does nobody take into account that Brees could have done it years ago but we didn't try to force it? Remember how after the rule changes it was broken every year for three or four years in a row, culminating in Marino's record, and then nobody broke it until this year? Why wasn't it "so easy" during the interlude?

The 18-1 Patriots were one of the most dominating teams of all time but they didn't set this record. The Saints' sole Super Bowl squad didn't set this record when they were on their amazing manhandling year. I'd give you a list of prolific offenses but I think you get my point. The Saints destroyed over the air and over the ground, with a bipolar defense that lets out way more yards than it does points scored and still ranked 12th in rushing defense. But we'll discard this accomplishment because "it's so easy". So easy that nobody could do it for over a decade until now, right?

I think the biggest reason for that is most teams call off the dogs once the lead gets so great, the saints seem to think its better to pour it on. This makes other nfl teams hate them.

The best example of calling off the dogs happened yesterday with the falcons, once they put up 42 in the first half they quit punishing a team where the saints would have just went up to 60.

The saints went from beloved underdog to hated dicks in the nfl faster than the patriots, that's quite a feat.

So what you're saying is that Brees didn't actually end up sitting in the 4th quarter four different times this season?

Yes he did but it wasn't like he sat out the whole 4th quarter, there were times they could have sat most starters, or at the least just ran out the clock instead of pouring it on. Do none of you get that little fact?

Teams don't forget that and when the chance comes they will get returned biatch slaps from the same teams.

Here's an interesting NFC factoid: of the 6 quarterbacks in the playoffs, three have won a Super Bowl (Rodgers, Brees, Manning), two were number one picks (Smith, Stafford), and Ryan was the number three pick and first quarterback of that draft. Should be some great games that go down to the last minutes.

Sargun: I've always wondered about the "it's so easy now" argument.

That's because, as you probably suspect, it's mostly made up. The statistical differences between past and present are not as great as many people think. In 1999, the average team scored 21.5 points in a game; in 2011, the average team scored 22.1 points in a game, an increase of 0.6. People talk as if defensive backs are never allowed to touch wide receivers anymore and conveniently forget that defenders today are bigger, faster and stronger than ever before. There's been some increase in offense, yes, but it's not the radically different game that many make it out to be.

VvonderJesus: Here's an interesting NFC factoid: of the 6 quarterbacks in the playoffs, three have won a Super Bowl (Rodgers, Brees, Manning), two were number one picks (Smith, Stafford), and Ryan was the number three pick and first quarterback of that draft. Should be some great games that go down to the last minutes.

Manning was also a number one pick.

Who Dat? Who Dat gonna beat them gay fish, Who Dat?


/somebody who hates black people, no doubt

Sargun: . If it's so easy now, why has nobody else done it by us? Why did it take eleven years to break the Rams' record? Why is Brees given no credit for not only breaking Marino's record but doing it in a better fashion than when Marino set it so many years ago - and why does nobody take into account that Brees could have done it years ago but we didn't try to force it?

If it's so tough why did 2 QBs break the record in the same year and a 3rd come close?

4 of the top 6 single season passing yards leaders came from this season.

The top 2 TE receiving yards ever, both this season.


The NFL has totally screwed up the offensive/defensive balance over the past 7 years and it's come to a head this season.

Super Chronic: Sargun: I've always wondered about the "it's so easy now" argument.

That's because, as you probably suspect, it's mostly made up. The statistical differences between past and present are not as great as many people think. In 1999, the average team scored 21.5 points in a game; in 2011, the average team scored 22.1 points in a game, an increase of 0.6. People talk as if defensive backs are never allowed to touch wide receivers anymore and conveniently forget that defenders today are bigger, faster and stronger than ever before. There's been some increase in offense, yes, but it's not the radically different game that many make it out to be.

You are using the entire league to argue nothing has changed? Any one that has paid attention realizes the rules being relaxed made a huge difference.

That is why a record that stood for 20+ years was broken so soon after relaxed rules, by 2 different QBs.

Espn or fox compared top QBs from different eras and saw a vast difference, so basically if you are good this makes your job even easier.

Very impressive record, but how can they be the greatest of all time when they didn't lead the league in scoring?

steamingpile: Teams don't forget that and when the chance comes they will get returned biatch slaps from the same teams.

Dec 7 1969 Falcons 45 Saints 17
Oct 24 1971 Falcons ahead 21-6 in the last minute of 4th quarter make it 28-6
SEP 16 1973 FALCONS 62 SAINTS 7 17 Falcon points in 4th quarter
Dec 18th 1977 ATL 35 NO 7. 4th quarter passing TD by Bartkowski
Oct 19 1980 Atlanta 41 NO 14 Atlanta 4th quarter TD
Sep 6 1981 Atlanta 27 NO 0. Ahead 21 to nothing in the 4th Bartkowski throws a 25 yard bomb for a TD to make it 27-0 ATLANTA TRIES A PASS FOR A CONVERSION THAT FAILS
Nov 1 1981 ATL 41 NO 10 Leading 34-10 in the 4th Bartkowski throws a 49 yard dagron
Dec 12 1982 Atl 35 NO 0 Atlanta throws a 27 yard TD in the 4th



What goes around comes around. These two franchises dont like eachother for good reason. Cry moar while you swing on Priscos meat Falcon boy.

MugzyBrown: Sargun: . If it's so easy now, why has nobody else done it by us? Why did it take eleven years to break the Rams' record? Why is Brees given no credit for not only breaking Marino's record but doing it in a better fashion than when Marino set it so many years ago - and why does nobody take into account that Brees could have done it years ago but we didn't try to force it?

If it's so tough why did 2 QBs break the record in the same year and a 3rd come close?

4 of the top 6 single season passing yards leaders came from this season.

The top 2 TE receiving yards ever, both this season.

The NFL has totally screwed up the offensive/defensive balance over the past 7 years and it's come to a head this season.

So why did it not happen last season? Or the season before that? Or the season before that? Or the season before that? Or the season before that? Why did it take over 20 years to have a single person break Marino's record, much less two? Why is it that there has only been a marginal increase in actual offensive production since the 1980s rule changes?

There has been an increase in offense over the past 30 years. It hasn't been by that much. There have also been an insane amount of safeties this year, Jared Allen's chase for the sack record, and an entire division of great division play.

Sargun: MugzyBrown: Sargun: . If it's so easy now, why has nobody else done it by us? Why did it take eleven years to break the Rams' record? Why is Brees given no credit for not only breaking Marino's record but doing it in a better fashion than when Marino set it so many years ago - and why does nobody take into account that Brees could have done it years ago but we didn't try to force it?

If it's so tough why did 2 QBs break the record in the same year and a 3rd come close?

4 of the top 6 single season passing yards leaders came from this season.

The top 2 TE receiving yards ever, both this season.

The NFL has totally screwed up the offensive/defensive balance over the past 7 years and it's come to a head this season.

So why did it not happen last season? Or the season before that? Or the season before that? Or the season before that? Or the season before that? Why did it take over 20 years to have a single person break Marino's record, much less two? Why is it that there has only been a marginal increase in actual offensive production since the 1980s rule changes?

There has been an increase in offense over the past 30 years. It hasn't been by that much. There have also been an insane amount of safeties this year, Jared Allen's chase for the sack record, and an entire division of great division play.

You are wrong if you were right then over half the list of most yardage for a single season wouldn't be from the last 4 years.

http://www.sportscity.com/NFL/NFL-Single-Season-Passing-Leaders/

I meant to say the top 15 leaders but still the point is made and if you can't see that then you are ignorant or a moron.

steamingpile: I meant to say the top 15 leaders but still the point is made and if you can't see that then you are ignorant or a moron.

Well, somebody is. Thats for sure.

Sargun: I've always wondered about the "it's so easy now" argument. If it's so easy now, why has nobody else done it by us? Why did it take eleven years to break the Rams' record? Why is Brees given no credit for not only breaking Marino's record but doing it in a better fashion than when Marino set it so many years ago - and why does nobody take into account that Brees could have done it years ago but we didn't try to force it? Remember how after the rule changes it was broken every year for three or four years in a row, culminating in Marino's record, and then nobody broke it until this year? Why wasn't it "so easy" during the interlude?

The 18-1 Patriots were one of the most dominating teams of all time but they didn't set this record. The Saints' sole Super Bowl squad didn't set this record when they were on their amazing manhandling year. I'd give you a list of prolific offenses but I think you get my point. The Saints destroyed over the air and over the ground, with a bipolar defense that lets out way more yards than it does points scored and still ranked 12th in rushing defense. But we'll discard this accomplishment because "it's so easy". So easy that nobody could do it for over a decade until now, right?

Bill Simmons thoughts on this subject recently pretty much echo mine...

"Was it right that I didn't get excited about Drew Brees' new passing yards record? It reminds me of Oscar Robertson averaging a triple-double, or any of the Bonds/McGwire home run records; it's impossible to separate the era from the accomplishment itself. When Dan Marino threw for 5,084 yards in 1984, you were allowed to (a) pummel the QB every chance you had, (b) dive at the QB's knees as he was throwing the ball, (c) crush any receiver coming over the middle, and (d) jam receivers at the line by any means necessary, even if you had to use a crowbar or a chainsaw. It was impossible to throw for 5,000 yards back then. Only two other 1984 QBs cracked 4,000 yards (Neil Lomax and Phil Simms); nobody else cracked 3,800 yards; and only five guys even attempted 500+ passes (Marino's 564 was the highest). In 2011? Ten QBs will crack 4,000 yards; six will crack 4,500 yards; two (including Tom Brady) will crack 5,000 yards. Heading into Week 17, ten 2011 QBs have already thrown more than 500+ passes, with Brees leading the way with 622. It's a totally different game. Heading forward, we're going to see multiple QBs throw for 5,000 yards every season ... right?"