Drew Brees and Cam Newton both wrote their names into the NFL record books in Week 16, adding acclaim to what have been fantastic campaigns from each.While Newton looks to conclude his tremendous rookie season on a high note, it remains to be seen if Brees will take the field at home Sunday against the Carolina Panthers with the playoff-bound New Orleans Saints possibly choosing to err on the side of caution.Brees threw for 307 yards and four touchdowns - breaking Dan Marino's mark of 5,084 passing yards set in 1984 - and the Saints clinched their second NFC South title in three years with Monday night's 45-16 rout of Atlanta.
"This record isn't about one person. There might be just one name that goes in ledger under the record, but it's really about the team," Brees told his teammates. "I want everyone to feel a huge part of this, that this record would not have been possible without them." New Orleans (12-3), which has the third seed in the NFC locked up, can only improve its postseason position with both a victory over the Panthers (6-9) and an unlikely San Francisco loss to St. Louis. Given the circumstances, coach Sean Payton could choose to rest Brees for most - if not all - of Sunday's game.
CARRY ON
