Drew Brees on pace for numbers only he’s achieved in NFL history

Los Angeles Rams v New Orleans Saints

Don’t let the New Orleans Saints’ 5-6 record detract from the magnificent and rare season Drew Brees is currently enjoying.

Through 11 games in 2016, Brees is completing 71.5 percent of his passes, with 3,587 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He’s on pace to throw for 5,217 yards and 44 scores, numbers that would put him in rare company in NFL history.

In fact, Brees is the only quarterback ever to produce a season with at least 5,000 passing yards, 40 touchdowns and a completion percentage over 70.0. He accomplished the trifecta back in 2011, when he completed 71.2 percent of his passes and threw for 5,476 yards and 46 touchdowns.

There have been only five seasons by a quarterback with 5,000 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. Brees owns two of them. He’s also responsible for four of the eight seasons of 5,000 or more passing yards.

Also, Brees has been very good in 2016 compared to the rest of his legendary career.

His 109.1 passer rating would rank as the third best over his 16 NFL seasons. His completion percentage of 71.5 would not only set a new career high, but also a new NFL record for a single season. Brees is also throwing interceptions at a rate comparable to the lowest of his career.

The only thing keeping Brees from being the front runner in the NFL MVP discussion is a 5-6 record. But where would the Saints be without their hyper productive quarterback?

Only two teams are allowing more points per game than New Orleans. The Saints have given up fewer than 20 points only once this season, and Brees has led New Orleans to victory in two games in which the defense allowed 30 or more points.

There’s not much more Brees could do. Whether it’s fully recognized or not, the future Hall of Fame quarterback is having another historic season.

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