NFC South: 5 things to look for in 2018

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 07: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

1. Drew Brees is still one of the league’s best

In the early years of the 2010s decade, there were the NFL’s “Elite Four” quarterbacks: Manning, Brady, Brees, and Rodgers. As we near the end of the decade, those quarterbacks are slowly starting to fizzle out of the league. Manning is already retired, Brady is 41 years old and could be retired in another year or two, Brees is 39 and is probably only two or three years away from hanging it up himself. Only Rodgers, at age 34, remains in his prime.

But Brees, even though he’s only a few months away from cracking 40, is still one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. In the prime of his career, he led the Saints to victory in Super Bowl XLIV, beating Manning and the Colts, and won the Super Bowl MVP award. Over the years since, Brees continued to play at an elite level and kept New Orleans competitive, though it appeared as if their championship window was closed.

Then the 2017 season came, and Brees and the Saints flashed right back onto the scene. At age 38, Brees led the league in completions and finished with the second highest passer rating at 103.9. If it hadn’t been for Stefon Diggs and the “Minnesota Miracle,” the Saints would’ve been in the NFC Championship Game, and possibly back in the Super Bowl.

Brees signed a two-year extension with New Orleans this offseason, proving that the team believes, for the time being, that they can make another run at the Super Bowl with Brees under center. Look for him to reward that faith with another great season in 2018.

5 things to look for in the AFC South in 2018. dark. Next

The all-time great quarterbacks seem to always have one last big run in them. Peyton Manning proved that with the Broncos in 2015, winning Super Bowl 50. Tom Brady continues to prove that every single year with the Patriots. As Brees inches closer and closer to 40, it might be time for him to lead the Saints on one last Super Bowl run.