I think it’s around the goal line where the Saints will miss Drew Brees the most. It’s in that part of the field where accuracy, timing and decision making become the most important. Brees in that regard is one of the best ever, while what they’re going to now is unproven at best.
Consider, for example, passing inside the 10 over the last four seasons. On this one, I’m including 2-point conversion plays, which is why you see “EZ” (end zone) rather than simply touchdowns – that column includes successful 2-point conversions.
Brees in that part of the field has been the league’s best, completing 70 percent of his passes. One of the quarterbacks who might replace him, Jameis Winston, meanwhile shows up tied for last on this list. Both he and Joe Flacco has completed only 38 of their last 82 passes in that part of the field.
List includes all quarterbacks with at least 80 pass plays.
Winston, of course, won’t necessarily even be New Orleans’ starter. They’ve also got Taysom Hill. But whichever guy (or combination of guys) they have under center, I’m not expecting Brees-type passing efficiency.
| PASSING INSIDE 10 (last 4 yrs) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Com | Att | Pct | EZ | Int | sack |
| Drew Brees | 83 | 119 | 69.7% | 49 | 1 | 4 |
| Carson Wentz | 73 | 108 | 67.6% | 59 | 1 | 5 |
| Aaron Rodgers | 88 | 137 | 64.2% | 62 | 2 | 3 |
| Josh Allen | 47 | 77 | 61.0% | 32 | 0 | 5 |
| Lamar Jackson | 44 | 73 | 60.3% | 36 | 0 | 7 |
| Kyler Murray | 46 | 78 | 59.0% | 29 | 2 | 3 |
| Jared Goff | 85 | 145 | 58.6% | 59 | 3 | 3 |
| Russell Wilson | 92 | 160 | 57.5% | 72 | 4 | 3 |
| Patrick Mahomes | 71 | 124 | 57.3% | 50 | 2 | 7 |
| Philip Rivers | 86 | 155 | 55.5% | 54 | 3 | 6 |
| Ben Roethlisberger | 69 | 129 | 53.5% | 49 | 4 | 3 |
| Mitchell Trubisky | 61 | 116 | 52.6% | 40 | 3 | 2 |
| Deshaun Watson | 68 | 130 | 52.3% | 46 | 1 | 7 |
| Derek Carr | 82 | 157 | 52.2% | 50 | 2 | 2 |
| Matt Ryan | 80 | 159 | 50.3% | 61 | 4 | 11 |
| Andy Dalton | 54 | 108 | 50.0% | 40 | 1 | 7 |
| Tom Brady | 88 | 178 | 49.4% | 64 | 1 | 10 |
| Kirk Cousins | 68 | 138 | 49.3% | 58 | 2 | 8 |
| Dak Prescott | 47 | 97 | 48.5% | 29 | 3 | 7 |
| Baker Mayfield | 57 | 118 | 48.3% | 43 | 3 | 4 |
| Matthew Stafford | 58 | 121 | 47.9% | 44 | 1 | 10 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | 39 | 82 | 47.6% | 32 | 1 | 5 |
| Case Keenum | 42 | 89 | 47.2% | 26 | 3 | 4 |
| Joe Flacco | 38 | 82 | 46.3% | 24 | 2 | 2 |
| Jameis Winston | 38 | 82 | 46.3% | 31 | 2 | 6 |
—Ian Allan