How Drew Brees' absence could shape the NFC playoff picture

How Drew Brees' absence could shape the NFC playoff picture

KIRSTIE CHIAPPELLI



Saints quarterback Drew Brees was scheduled to have surgery Wednesday after suffering a torn ligament in his right (throwing) thumb Sunday against the Rams.

The injury is a blow to a Super Bowl-hungry team and the veteran's absence could go a long way toward shaping the NFC playoff picture. He's expected back within eight weeks after the team opted not to place him on injured reserve.


Before he got hurt, Brees had missed just one game to injury in his 19-year NFL career. Now, he'll miss the next six, at least: against the Seahawks, Cowboys, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Bears and Cardinals before he and the team hope he returns against the Falcons, after the Saints' Week 9 bye.

Compared to the Brees-less Saints, it could be argued that other NFC contenders like the Rams and Cowboys have lighter schedules during that period. Green Bay, on the other hand, has some tough opponents and no bye until Week 11.

Rams: Browns, Buccaneers, Seahawks, 49ers, Falcons, Bengals, Bye
Cowboys: Dolphins, Saints, Packers, Jets, Eagles, Bye, Giants
Packers: Broncos, Eagles, Cowboys, Lions, Raiders, Chiefs, Chargers

The Rams have the most to gain from the Saints' loss, while the Cowboys have a shot at a top-two seed. Then there's the 49ers, who could potentially secure an NFC wild-card spot under Jimmy Garoppolo if Brees can't quite bounce back.

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