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Maybe Drew Brees' success became the New Orleans Saints quarterback's worst enemy. He became the first player in NFL history to compile three consecutive seasons of 4,500 yards passing in last week's win in Dallas. If Brees throws one touchdown pass this Sunday against Carolina, he'll be the first player in NFL history to have consecutive seasons with at least 40 TD passes.

Brees could also lead the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns for the second straight season. Brees needs 304 passing yards in Week 17 to pass the previous single-season passing yardage record held by Dan Marino in 1984, a record Brees now holds after last season's 5,476-yard performance.

And yet it almost seems like it's been a ho-hum season for Brees despite all of his record-breaking statistics. Brees didn't make the Pro Bowl for only the second time in his seven-year Saints career (2007 was the other), and the Saints will sit at home for the playoffs.

"In the end, as a quarterback, it's did you win or did you lose, did you go to the playoffs or did you not, did you have a chance at the championship or not," Brees said. "That's what drives you."

Panthers Coach Ron Rivera said it's unfair for those around the league to take Brees' statistics for granted and pass them off as Brees just being Brees. Rivera said because record-breaking statistics are what other teams expect, the 'wow' factor may disappear when Brees only has a good season compared to other Brees seasons.



"But again, Drew's a product of his own success too," Rivera said. "Let's be honest about that. The guy's had a terrific career. Ever since getting to the Saints, it's been getting better and better and the expectations get a little bit out of touch sometimes.

"People think he's going to do it all the time. It is hard, because people are really trying to study and learn what the Saints are doing and as people understand a little bit more each year, it's going to be harder. It's harder and harder and it's tough, but Drew really is one of the better ones and is most certainly a class act."

Saints wide receiver Lance Moore agreed with the sentiment that Brees has set the bar so high that if another player holds Brees-type numbers that it hurts Brees even if the Saints quarterback has just as good, if not better, statistics.

Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Washington's Robert Griffin III were voted to the Pro Bowl in the NFC. Brees was named an alternate, according to a league source.

"When you look around the league at guys who aren't always in the Pro Bowl who are also having good years, I think it's harder for the guy that's a repeated Pro Bowler to get the nod," Moore said. "The hype that's surrounding RGIII is something that's been unavoidable all season. Matt Ryan is having a great year. You would always love to have your guy there, but that's kind of the league we play in. Whoever has a lot of hype and can get a lot of votes, it just works out that way."

At this point, it could be Brees' mistakes that have become more memorable because players and coaches aren't used to seeing them. Brees' worst stretch in 2012 occurred when the Saints needed him most. Brees combined for nine interceptions against the 49ers, Falcons and Giants to help push the Saints out of playoff contention.

"It's an honor when you have coaches and players that you respect say that kind of thing. It's also a big responsibility," Brees said. "You guys have heard me say it, you're only as good as your next performance. Regardless of what happened last week, the week before, whatever, I want the lasting impression in people's minds to be something really good.

"We have one more game. I want it to be really good for this team, not only the result but the way we play, I want to be sharp. I want to be really good in the pass game, really good in the run game. A really great team effort. Get a win, go out feeling good. The expectation level is always high so it's not like others are putting higher expectations on us than we do. Nobody can be more critical of ourselves than us and nobody can put higher expectations or loftier goals on ourselves either."

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