Drew Brees' 2011 season is what separates the really good seasons from the great. His 8.23 ANY/A is far superior to the previous passer, as are his 71.23% completion rate and 5,476 passing yards.

Over 16 games, Brees also earned himself a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 46 to 14. After winning the Super Bowl two years prior, the New Orleans Saints failed to emerge from the divisional round of the NFC playoffs in this campaign.