How do you stop Drew Brees? Or, to give him his full-title, Record-Setting Drew Brees. The man who this season smashed not only the 27-year-old single-season yardage mark set by Dan Marino, but also those for completions (468), completion percentage (71.2%), and 300-yard passing games (seven).
In total Brees holds more than 20 separate NFL-recognised individual passing records. Oh, and unlike Marino he also knows a thing or two about getting it done in the playoffs. Two years ago he led the Saints to victory at Super Bowl XLIV, a game in which he tied another record by completing 32 passes. His career postseason quarterback rating of 103.7 is the third-highest in NFL history.
Over to you, Vic Fangio. San Francisco's defensive co-ordinator has fashioned this unit into one of the best in the league – ranked fourth in the league for total yardage surrendered and joint-first in turnovers forced. The Niners D produced 23 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries during the regular season.
Furthermore, they have Brees right where they want him. Which is to say: outside. Whilst hardly ineffectual, he and the Saints offence have been significantly less productive outdoors than they are inside the SuperDome - their average points scored falling from 41.6 per game at home to 23.8 outdoors.
It is still hardly an insignificant figure, and certainly there is no guarantee of San Francisco themselves being able to put up so many against Greg Williams's aggressive blitzing defence. But when you're up against a player like this, you have to take what you can get.
Divisional playoff weekend > Super Bowl? Don't get me wrong, Super Bowl Sunday is a glorious thing, but honestly I think there's a part of me that prefers this weekend right here. The Super Bowl is over all too quickly, and if it turns out to be a bad game (not that there have been too many of them lately) then it can all feel rather disappointing. The divisional playoffs give you four games spread across two nights, and although you may not have whittled things down all the way yet, you know the standard by this point is going to be good.
So anyway, settle in and enjoy, as we'll be here with these live blogs throughout. After I'm done tonight, my colleague Dave Lengel will be here with live coverage of Tim Tebow v sanity Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots. Then tomorrow Michael Solomon has Texans @ Ravens from 1pm EST and Steve Busfield has Giants @ Packers from 4:30pm EST.
In total Brees holds more than 20 separate NFL-recognised individual passing records. Oh, and unlike Marino he also knows a thing or two about getting it done in the playoffs. Two years ago he led the Saints to victory at Super Bowl XLIV, a game in which he tied another record by completing 32 passes. His career postseason quarterback rating of 103.7 is the third-highest in NFL history.
Over to you, Vic Fangio. San Francisco's defensive co-ordinator has fashioned this unit into one of the best in the league – ranked fourth in the league for total yardage surrendered and joint-first in turnovers forced. The Niners D produced 23 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries during the regular season.
Furthermore, they have Brees right where they want him. Which is to say: outside. Whilst hardly ineffectual, he and the Saints offence have been significantly less productive outdoors than they are inside the SuperDome - their average points scored falling from 41.6 per game at home to 23.8 outdoors.
It is still hardly an insignificant figure, and certainly there is no guarantee of San Francisco themselves being able to put up so many against Greg Williams's aggressive blitzing defence. But when you're up against a player like this, you have to take what you can get.
Divisional playoff weekend > Super Bowl? Don't get me wrong, Super Bowl Sunday is a glorious thing, but honestly I think there's a part of me that prefers this weekend right here. The Super Bowl is over all too quickly, and if it turns out to be a bad game (not that there have been too many of them lately) then it can all feel rather disappointing. The divisional playoffs give you four games spread across two nights, and although you may not have whittled things down all the way yet, you know the standard by this point is going to be good.
So anyway, settle in and enjoy, as we'll be here with these live blogs throughout. After I'm done tonight, my colleague Dave Lengel will be here with live coverage of Tim Tebow v sanity Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots. Then tomorrow Michael Solomon has Texans @ Ravens from 1pm EST and Steve Busfield has Giants @ Packers from 4:30pm EST.
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