From 2006-16, the future Hall of Fame quarterback averaged 35 touchdown passes and 4,887 yards. But this season, those numbers dropped to 23 and 4,334, Brees' fewest since he’s been in New Orleans. Still, the Saints managed to reel off 11 wins and the NFC South title.
It’s not hard to figure out how.
“(They have) a whole new different weapon this year in (running back Alvin) Kamara and the tandem of two backs that they have,” head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday ahead of the Panthers’ wild card trip to New Orleans. “It most certainly is a challenge.