Saturday, October 25 2008 -- The New Orleans Saints are lucky enough to have one of the top QBs in the league calling signals for them. Drew Brees is fifth in the league in completion percentage (68.4%), sixth in QB rating (98.5) and first in total passing yards (2,224). He's also tied for first in touchdown passes (12) and is second in average yards per pass (8.46). Then why are the Saints on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs? Why does their record stand at 3- 4?

Here's one problem. Although the Saints have scored a healthy total of 179 points, they have given up almost as many—163. Brees' seven interceptions are the third-most in the league. He's tied with five other QBs in that category. The Saints are third worst in take aways/give aways at minus-4. They've lost six fumbles, which is the third-most in the NFC. The New Orleans defense has been exceptionally porous versus the pass, giving up a total of 1,557 yards, ranking them 15 out of 16. They're 12 out of 16 in rushing yards allowed—763. None of this is good news.

The Saints currently sit at the bottom of the NFC South with Tampa Bay and Carolina in first-place with 5- 2 records and Atlanta in fourth at 4- 2. One more loss and New Orleans will be out of it no matter what Drew Brees does.