Falcons Vs Saints: Atlanta Respects Drew Brees, But Not 'In Awe' Of Him

Dec 26 2:51p by Jonathan Tjarks

If they're going to beat their long-time NFC South rivals on Monday Night Football, the Atlanta Falcons will have to figure out a way to slow down Drew Brees, New Orleans' record-setting QB.

Brees, a rocket-armed QB with uncanny accuracy and a great feel for the pocket, is on pace to shatter Dan Marino's passing yards record that has stood since 1984. Through 15 games, Brees has completed 72.2% of his passes for 4,780 yards, 39 TD's and 11 INT's.

And while the Falcons defense knows the challenge Brees poses, they remain confident headed into the Superdome:

"I'm not going to be looking over there in awe; looking at [Brees], Atlanta LB Sean Weatherspoon said. "I'm just going out there with the game plan that we have to try to make some plays."

Atlanta's has the NFL's 4rth rated rush defense, but they've given up 230.6 yards a game through the air this season, 17th worst in the league.

In their 26-23 OT loss to the Saints, they allowed Brees to complete 30-43 passes for 322 yards and 2 TD's. If he repeats that performance, he'll easily break Marino's mark of 5,084 yards, a number once thought untouchable.