Chasing History: It may be Drew Brees’ Last Chance to Beat All 32 Teams

Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) prior to kickoff of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a lot of things going on with the New Orleans Saints right now, and it feels like the season is resting on several giant powder kegs. Some are just waiting for it to explode. However, others attempt to shake off the disappointing events of the past two home contests for the black and gold, and look for hope with the Baltimore Ravens matchup on Monday Night Football.

Drew Brees has an opportunity of a lifetime against the Ravens, as he looks to become the third player in NFL history to defeat all 32 franchises.

Brett Favre was the first player to eclipse this impressive mark in 2009 after defeating the very team he played for during the majority of his career, the Green Bay Packers. Peyton Manning was the second player to accomplish this achievement, when he defeated his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, earlier this season. These two quarterbacks had the luxury of playing in front of the home crowd when their respective records were set, and Brees is put in a similar situation.

For those wondering, Drew Brees defeated the Saints as a member of the San Diego Chargers back in the 2004 season. In Brees-like fashion, he tossed four touchdowns and 257 yards in a 43-17 route of the Saints.

Brees and the Saints previously had an opportunity to defeat the Baltimore Ravens in a regular season road game in the 2010 season, but were bested 30-24. The team also hosted the Ravens in 2006, but were defeated 35-22, courtesy of the late Steve McNair.

The Saints have facts and stats on their side, as they’ve won 14 straight prime time home contests, including their victory over the Packers earlier this season. In fact, they simply don’t lose Monday Night in the Superdome. They’re 7-0 since 2008, outscoring opponents 284-143 in that stretch. Their least amount points scored in that stretch on Monday Night games? 28.

The way the scheduling works out in today’s NFL doesn’t pit these two teams meeting only once every four seasons. So in a sense, this may very well be Drew Brees’ last shot to earn this particular achievement. Brees is contracted through the 2016 season.

For the sake of the season, the Saints and their fans hope that this type of gris-gris works to their advantage, and Brees can make more history in front of a nationally televised audience.