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(Reuters) - The National Football League playoffs bring drama and excitement but they can also be cruel - just ask New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Brees smashed Dan Marino's single season passing record, which had stood for 27 years, racking up an astonishing 5,467 yards and for good measure set a record completion percentage of 71.2.

But that all meant nothing when it came to the playoffs, when it really counts.

Brees responded to the challenge with 928 yards in two post-season games and seven touchdowns but next week he will be watching the conference games at home.

The Saints played their part in a thrilling playoff at Candlestick Park on Saturday, twice taking the lead in the final four minutes but twice having it wiped out by the San Francisco 49ers - definitively with a 14-yard pass from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis to win the game.

It was a thrilling contest and one which either side would have deserved to win but the sudden-death nature of the playoffs leaves no room for those who just miss out.

"It is hard when you get that close then it slips away from you," said Saints head coach Sean Payton. "We had our opportunities and yet we credit San Francisco for making one more play than us to win a tough game."

Full article.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/...rees.html?_r=2

halloween 65

The title says enough for me...

saintfan

Me too. It was a cruel and unexpected end for us all.

Rugby Saint II

The loss was my fault....it's the first time I ever talked smack. I never saw it coming. I won't be doing it again!