NFL 2016: Can Saints and Brees Bounce Back?

NFL 2016: Can Saints and Brees Bounce Back?

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees led the NFL with 4,870 passing yards in 2015 and became the first player to lead the league in passing yards six different times. Unfortunately, the Saints finished missed the playoffs. Will Brees and the Saints bounce back this season?

The Saints finished the season with one of the worst defenses in the league. On the other hand, the Saints were ranked among the best offense in the league. Nonetheless, Brees and teammates watched the playoffs on TV.

So, how can New Orleans bounce back from that dreadful 2014 season?

After missing the NFL Playoffs with back-to-back 7-9 losing seasons, the Saints NFL 2016 campaign doesn't look that promising. However, Brees is still an elite quarterback and is more than capable of turngin the Saints around.

In a season to forget for the Saints, Brees still managed to lead the NFL in numerous offensive categories.

New Orleans Pro Bowl quarterback DREW BREES led the NFL with 4,870 passing yards in 2015 and became the first player to lead the league in passing yards six different times. Brees, who has led the NFL in passing yards in 2006, 2008, 2011-12 and 2014-15, is one of only six players all-time to lead the league in passing yards in at least four seasons -- the other five quarterbacks to accomplish the feat are all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Most Seasons Leading NFL in Passing Yards

Quarterback	Team(s)	Seasons
Source: NFL Active*
Drew Brees*	New Orleans	6
Sonny Jurgensen	Philadelphia, Washington	5
Dan Marino	Miami	5
Sammy Baugh	Washington	4
Johnny Unitas	Baltimore	4
Dan Fouts	San Diego	4

"I love this game and I want to play it for as long as I can," says Brees. "When all is said and done, we can look back and talk about records, but for now, it's about winning. It's about trying to find a way to win a championship."

Last year, Brees recorded his seventh career 4,500-yard passing season, the most in NFL history. It also marked his sixth consecutive season with at least 4,500 passing yards, also the most in league annals.

Brees had 10 games with at least 300 passing yards last season and has 96 such games in his career, the most in NFL history.

Most NFL Games with 300+ Passing Yards

Quarterback	Team(s)	Games
Source: NFL Active*
Drew Brees*	New Orleans	96
Peyton Manning	Indianapolis Denver	93
Tom Brady*	New England	71
Dan Marino	Miami	63
Brett Favre	Green Bay Minnesota	62

Entering the 2016 season, Brees ranks fourth in NFL history with 60,903 passing yards.

All-Time NFL Passing Yards Leaders

Quarterback	Team(s)	Seasons	Yards
Source: NFL Active*
Peyton Manning	Indianapolis Denver	1998-2015	71,940
Brett Favre	Atlanta, Green Bay, NY Jets, Minnesota	1991-2010	71,838
Dan Marino	Miami	1983-99	61,361
Drew Brees*	San Diego, New Orleans	2001-15	60,903
Tom Brady*	New England	2000-15	58,028

Brees has 428 career touchdown passes, tied with TOM BRADY for the third-most in NFL history and trailing only PEYTON MANNING (539) and BRETT FAVRE (508). Brees threw 32 touchdown passes last season, extending his NFL-record streak to eight consecutive seasons with at least 30 touchdown passes.