New Orleans Saints: 4 studs and 1 dud in dominant Week 8 victory
No. 1 — Drew Brees
While the first quarter may have been rough, Brees turned it on in the second half. He was back to hitting his favorite target, Michael Thomas. Overall, Brees dropped back 43 times, completing 34 passes.
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It wasn’t just Thomas that was targeted by Brees. He hit nine different receivers, many of which were either tight ends, running backs or even the team’s third-string quarterback. However, this game was about Brees’ accuracy just as his whole career has been.
No. 2 — Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas could realistically break the single-season receptions record. He caught 11 more passes against the Cardinals, taking his season total to 73. He ended the day with 112 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.
With the team’s bye next week, Thomas will enter Week 10 with eight more games to play. He’s going to be aiming for Marvin Harrison’s 143 receptions which he managed in the 2002 season. He’s on pace for 146.
Thomas is an MVP candidate, and he should be treated as both that and the league’s best receiver. This is the player New Orleans paid, and it’s the player they should expect throughout the second half of the season.