Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts as he walks back to the sideline after the didn’t complete fourth down against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
METAIRIE, La. — Drew Brees hasn’t had many off weeks since signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2006, but his last two games would certainly fall under that category.
The future Hall of Famer struggled mightily in losses to the Detroit Lions (28-13) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16-11), serving up three interceptions in each setback and not throwing a touchdown pass in either game.
More important, Sunday’s game marked the first time in Brees’ 16-year, 230-game NFL career that he threw at least three picks in back-to-back games.
“That can’t happen,” said Brees, who was 25 of 41 for 257 yards. “I know that. I know better. When you’re in tight games like this, obviously ball security is crucial.
“You’ve got to be able to turn it loose and play confident but also understand what that does from a momentum standpoint and how it affects field position … that kind of thing.”
With 458 touchdown passes, which ranks him third behind only Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508) in NFL history, Brees has been held without a scoring pass 29 times in 230 career games.
The last two weeks marked only the 12th and 13th times that Brees, who has played in 171 regular-season games with the Saints, did not have a touchdown.
Brees was shut out 16 times in 59 games with the San Diego Chargers, whom he played with from 2001 to 2005.
It’s the first time Brees did not throw a touchdown in consecutive games since 2009, his fourth year with the Saints, when the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets managed to keep him from launching a scoring pass.
While with the Chargers, he had a three-game streak with no touchdowns in 2003 and went four games without a scoring pass in his first year as a full-time starter in 2002.
