Preise » gs to a 5-4 win over the Chicago

METAIRIE, La. -- Bad memories of Saints quarterback Drew Brees completing 32 of 39 passes against his team on a Super Bowl Sunday back in 2010 have come flooding back to Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell this week.More than half a decade has passed since Brees and the Saints beat Caldwells Indianapolis Colts in the NFLs championship game. Brees had just turned 31. He was in his prime then -- and still is.Hes still obviously performing great, Caldwell said Wednesday, as the Lions prepared to visit New Orleans on Sunday.He spreads it around quite a bit, you know, and hes accurate as a day is long. You can tell by his numbers hes difficult to manage, difficult to handle.Brees play might not be generating as much attention as it would if the Saints (5-6) werent a game below .500 and struggling to stay relevant in the NFC playoff picture.But the fact is he might very well break his 2011 completion rate record of 71.2 percent, and could very well wind up leading the NFL in yards and touchdowns passing while hes at it.After completing nearly 80 percent of his passes in New Orleans past two games, Brees has a season-long completion rate of 71.5 percent.Last Sunday, Brees completed nearly 78 percent of his passes (28 of 36) for 310 yards and four touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams, who entered the game with the sixth-ranked pass defense in the league.That marked the fourth time this season Brees has completed 77.1 percent or more of his throws in a game this season.Accuracy is part of it, but thats nothing new. Brees has been known to orchestrate accuracy competitions with fellow Saints QBs throughout training camp.In one appearance on 60 Minutes he stood on the 20-yard line and fired a ball off the crossbar. In a Sports Science episode, he hit a target with accuracy similar to that of an archer.Apparently, hes still got it.I feel like Ive become smarter, wiser through experience, Brees said. I work hard at my craft. The stats dont always tell the story.Theres certainly areas where Im continuing to try to improve. But I think, all in all, I feel good. I feel good about my preparation, about my process, and thats all I really focus on.Meanwhile, New Orleans has run the ball better lately, which forces defenses to respect play-action fakes.Also, Brees trio of young receivers has been blossoming, and running back Mark Ingram, who learned a thing or two about catching passes from his ex-NFL receiver father, has been a reliable option on screens and check-downs.When a quarterbacks completion rate is as high as Brees is, there are a lot of things that go into it,Lions safety Glover Quin said. For one, if youre running the ball well, then youre probably going to have a lot of wide-open throws.You can mix in play-action, mix in quick screens, you can mix in quick (outs) because (defenders) are so concentrated on stopping the run, Quin said.You can mix in a max-protect and take a shot down the field. Then if the guys are catching the ball, the completion percentage is probably going to be high.The offensive line has played pretty well, too, giving up 18 sacks, which is tied for sixth fewest in the NFL.We have a generational player at quarterback. Like, you hope you get the one in five -- thats the level hes at. For some reason he doesnt get that type of recognition, Saints right tackle Zach Strief said.You see lists and hes not in the top five. I mean, its just like preposterous, right? If you can give that guy time, I dont care who your receivers are and who the defense is, he will get it to some open guys.Brees leads the NFL with 3,587 yards passing and 30 TDs, putting him on pace for 5,217 yards and about 44 TDs, which would be marginally below career highs he set in both categories in 2011.A key to his completion rate this season, Brees said, has come down to decision-making, such making multiple reads and often opting for the easiest throw. The veteran QB recalled an expression he hear from Marty Schottenheimer, his former coach in San Diego, who told him, You never go broke taking a profit.At the end of the day, even if a completion gets you 2 or 3 yards, its better than taking that sack or having to throw the ball away, Brees said. Its the difference between third-and-5 and third-and-7 or third-and-8. Thats a big difference.Completions are good. Positive plays are good, Brees added. Plus I think theres a flow and a rhythm (for the offense) that goes into that as well.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---AP Sports Writer Larry Lage in Allen Park, Michigan, contributed to this report. Gordon Hayward Celtics Jersey . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. Walter Brown Jersey . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. http://www.celticssale.com/customized/ . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. Jayson Tatum Jersey . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Bill Russell Jersey . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. The tough matches keep coming for Ange Postecoglous Socceroos, pitted against world champions Germany and 2014 World Cup nemesis Chile in the draw for the 2017 Confederations Cup on Sunday morning (AEDT).The two strongest teams in the World Cup lead-in tournament await the Socceroos in Russia next year, with an as-yet-unknown African side making up Australias four-team group.With the possible exception of Mexico - which will play off in group A with hosts Russia, Portugal and New Zealand - its the toughest possible draw for Postecoglous men.Not that the national team coach is bothered.Its exciting, Postecoglou said from Russia, where he attended the draw in Kazan on Sunday morning (AEDT).Both Chile and Germany are at least as strong, if not stronger than they were three years ago.Both ranked inside the top five in the world. It gives you a great opportunity to measure yourself against that.Australia has recent experience with both of its confirmed opponents.The Socceroos earned a 2-2 draw with Germany in March last year in Kaiserslautern.The two nations will open their Confederations Cup campaign on June 19 in Sochi, the host city of the last Winter Olympics.Australia will then face the African champions - to be decided in February - on June 22 in Saint Petersburg, before finishing their group stage matches on June 25 in Moscow against Chile.The South Americans were one of the opponents in Australias last World Cup campaign, defeating the Socceroos 3-1.Australia was also beaten by eventual third-placed finishers the Netherlands and world champions Spain in the toughest group of the tournament.Postecoglou said history with world No.3 Germany and world No.4 Chile didnt make his task any easier, but would boost his players as they shoot for the 20188 World Cup.ddddddddddddIt gives you a measuring stick as to where youre at, he said.For a lot of these players weve had together these last three years they will have been through a World Cup, an Asian Cup and now a Confederations Cup.Its a great way to really get a strong foundation in terms of their international careers.Australia will play at least five games - and up to seven should they progress from the group - during a busy June.A home World Cup qualifier with Saudi Arabia on June 8 will provide a Confederations Cup sendoff with Postecoglou looking to add another friendly.Well have at least a couple weeks with the players (before the Germany game) which is great for us leading into a major tournament, he said.Well look to play at least one more preparation game after the Saudi game knowing weve got that 10-day window.Minnows New Zealand, the Oceania champions, will play off in the tournament opener against the hosts on June 17.THE SOCCEROOS DRAW AT THE 2017 CONFEDERATIONS CUP19 June - Australia v Germany - Sochi22 June - Australia v African champions - Saint Petersburg25 June - Australia v Chile - Moscow28/29 June - Possible semi-final - Kazan/Sochi2 July - Possible final/third-place playoff - Moscow/Saint Petersburg* All kick-off times are 6pm local (1am AEDT the following day).THE SOCCEROOS HISTORY IN THE CONFEDERATIONS CUP* 1997 Runners-up - defeated 6-0 by Brazil in the final* 2001 Third place - defeated 1-0 by Japan in the semi-final, then beat Brazil 1-0 in the third-place playoff* 2005 Group stage exit - defeated in all three group stage games, losing 4-3 to Germany, 4-2 to Argentina and 2-0 to Tunisia. 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