WhoDat!656

Whenever you compare players from different eras, it makes for a great debate.

With Drew Brees on the verge of breaking Johnny Unitas’ record (47) for consecutive games with a touchdown pass, ESPN Stats & Information’s Alok Pattani takes a look at the two streaks.

He writes that Brees’ streak might not be quite as impressive as what Unitas did. Unitas’ streak came from 1956 through 1960 at a time when anywhere from 40 to 50 percent of a team’s overall plays were passes. Brees’ streak comes in an era where teams throw on about 60 percent of their offensive plays.

Using some fancy math, Pattani calculates that a 47-game touchdown pass steak was 43 times more unlikely in the late 1950s than today. He also calculates that it would take a 63-game streak today to be as impressive as a 47-game streak in the late 1950s.

All valid points. There is no doubt that Brees plays in a league that passes much more often than the one Unitas plays in.

But I don’t think Brees’ potential accomplishment should be diminished. Unitas’ record has stood for 52 years. If another quarterback had played well enough, the record could have been broken long ago.

But it wasn’t. It’s lasted until Brees, so let’s give him his due credit.

Is Brees' streak diminished by era? - NFC South Blog - ESPN

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

Danno

Yes, I think so. I think ALL offensive records are a bit tainted by all the rule changes that are driving these ridiculous numbers.

BUt then again, every era has an asterisk so to speak. Steroids anyone?

stickman

I know that it's now a much more pass-happy league, but, Brees' TD to INT ratio is better and has a better QB rating during the streak than Unitas had. So, I don't see where it's diminished at all.

WhoDat!656

We all know that the ONLY reason all these article about Brees records being less than the QBs that set them, is mainly because he is a New Orleans Saints player.

If Brady was closing in on the TD record instead of Brees, that would be the lead story on ESPN, NFL Network etc.

Jamessr

I agree 100%
Brees will always have to do that much more for well deserved credit.
If the record was so easy to break there would be alot more people in the chase....

Just like the passing record.

QBREES9

To hell with them. If they can't see what a great story this is. Drew Dat !

Marlboro Man

Nah. that's just stupid sports casters downplaying anything the Saint's and Drew Brees do.

MatthewT

I don't think anyone is trying to downplay the Saints or Brees, but yes, considering the era Unitas did this in was very much more remarkable compared to now. Still, if Brees can break the mark Sunday Night, it is a major accomplishment since this record has stood for 52 years. It is incredibly difficult for an individual QB to throw a TD in that many games, considering there is always a chance at getting knocked out of a game, or an opposing defense just completely prevents it at least once. Awesome for Brees!!!

Wilde18

Ok, if that writer says that because of all the changes in football it is not big of a deal that Brees breaks the record, why wasn't there any other QB the last few years breaking it? They are playing a more modern football as Unita, too. Why did they not break the record? Like for example a Brett Favre or so? No way, I do not agree with the writer to downgrade Brees' performance!

Crusader

Teams are passing more butyou can't forget that DB play is much improved since back in Unitas day.