Tom Brady, Peyton Manning.... Drew Brees?

Move over guys, there's a new elite quarterback in town and it isn't Manning or Brady.  Drew Brees just made a resounding statement to the football world, tearing up the Patriots defense for 371 yards and 5 TDs en route to a 38-17 victory.  (On a side note, this picture is PRICELESS.  Yeah that's right, you got OWNED Belichick, now go home and cry you cheater.)  Sure, he may have had a better offense to work with and maybe the Patriots defense isn't that good after all, but this game proves that Brees is legit (and so are the Saints, for that matter). 

More than legit, in fact.  Brees showed that he could hang with and even beat Brady or Manning, the two quarterbacks that many peg as the best of the decade.  So much hype has gone into matchups between the Patriots and the Colts: every game between them is like the Superbowl, if not more important.  This win over the Patriots, however, proves once and for all that the quarterback spotlight monopoly (or bipoly or whatever you call a monopoly by two people)  should be over, if it isn't already.  Brees should and probably will win the offensive MVP award this year and his numbers of the past few years have been as good as anybody.  Sadly, he probably will never get the credit he deserves so long as Manning or Brady are around.  The media loves the Manning-Brady rivalry, and it's unlikely that they'll stop shining the spotlight on them anytime soon.  But have no doubt, Brees deserves to stand directly beside them as one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks.

On another side note, here's a picture of Brady being emo.

(Above image from Getty Images)