Saints quarterback Drew Brees almost cut off the question before it was finished being asked.
Are you aware that the Ravens are the only team you haven't beaten during your NFL career?
"Yes, I am aware," he said. "I played them in '03, '06 and '10. Thanks for reminding me."
Brees has accomplished everything during his 14-year career. He has* *won a Super Bowl (XLIV, 2009 season), went to eight Pro Bowls and holds the record for most consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass (54), which broke Baltimore Colts legend Johnny Unitas' mark.
But he hasn't bested the Ravens. And it was obvious from his curt answer that it kind of bothers him. Only two quarterbacks in NFL history have beaten every team in the league: Peyton Manning and Brett Favre.
"It doesn't matter who we're playing; every time I step on the field, I want to win," Brees said. "But certainly, you want to say that you've beaten every team."
In 2010, the Ravens held Brees to 29-of-46 passing for 267 yards and three touchdowns. They also forced him to fumble twice. Baltimore succeeded in taking away the big play and making Brees check the ball off for short gains.
Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs forced one of those fumbles and sacked Brees last time they faced each other. But don't ask him about the hole in Brees' resume. Suggs is trying to keep it hush-hush for fear of jinxes.
"I don't believe that," Suggs said of the stat. "Didn't I tell you all about the no-hitter? You guys are the worst."
Brees is having yet another spectacular season. He's fourth in the league in passing yards (3,071) and has tossed 19 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.
"Drew Brees is a top quarterback – maybe all time, he's up there," outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil said.
"His accuracy is really off the charts. He has good pocket awareness. He can scramble, he can make all the throws. I think he's a very smart football player. He's very tough to sack. He barely throws interceptions. And he's really good at home, for sure."
Brees is especially good when the bright lights are on. He has a staggering quarterback rating of 142.7 in his last six Monday Night Football games.
"His numbers speak for itself," Suggs said. "The scary thing is, every time Drew Brees lines up on Monday Night, he's trying to break some record, some record he's trying to get. I'm just hoping there isn't anything in reach for him this week."
There's no record, but the Ravens want to keep Brees from adding another a career accomplishment to his back pocket.
