Fansided

Each NFL team’s biggest reason to be excited in 2018

By Brad Berreman

BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Icon Sportswire/Getty Images /

New Orleans Saints – A gently aging Drew Brees

A vastly improved Saints’ defense, and a running game that clicked, yielded lows almost across the board for Brees since he came to New Orleans in 2006. But he led the league in completion percentage by a good margin (72 percent), had the second-best passer rating in the league (103.9) and led the league in yards per attempt (8.1).

If not for the “Minneapolis Miracle”, a second half comeback against the Vikings would have yielded a playoff win and the Saints may have been favored over the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. It’s not a stretch to say the could have won, with Brees far less likely to fall short on that stage, and then been in the Super Bowl against the Patriots right back at U.S. Bank Stadium.

It’s becoming clear that 35 is the new 30 among NFL quarterbacks, with Brees unrivaled (this side of Tom Brady) in terms or taking care of his body and watching his diet. He’s 39 years old, with his 40th birthday coming in January, with no signs of substantial decline and no serious injuries since the shoulder issue that led to his signing with the Saints in March of 2006.

As we saw with Peyton Manning in 2015, at the almost exactly same age Brees is now (literally down to months and days), the wall can come quickly and without warning for older quarterbacks. But the Saints shouldn’t be worried too much about that, since Brees doesn’t have a past serious neck injury that threatens to completely take away his fastball at any moment.

As long as Brees is under center, the Saints have a chance to make a deep playoff run. So for the team and its fans, he’s the No. 1 reason to be excited for the new season.

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