Drew Brees
and
Cam Newton
both wrote their names into the NFL record books in Week 16, adding acclaim to what have been fantastic campaigns from each.

While Newton looks to conclude his tremendous rookie season on a high note, it remains to be seen if Brees will take the field
at home Sunday against the
Carolina Panthers
with the playoff-bound
New Orleans Saints
possibly choosing to err on the side of caution.

Brees threw for 307 yards and four touchdowns – breaking Dan Marino’s mark of 5,084 passing yards set in 1984 – and the Saints
clinched their second NFC South title in three years with Monday night’s 45-16 rout of Atlanta.

“This record isn’t about one person. There might be just one name that goes in ledger under the record, but it’s really about
the team,” Brees told his teammates. “I want everyone to feel a huge part of this, that this record would not have been possible
without them.”

New Orleans (12-3), which has the third seed in the NFC locked up, can only improve its postseason position with both a victory
over the Panthers (6-9) and an unlikely San Francisco loss to St. Louis. Given the circumstances, coach Sean Payton could
choose to rest Brees for most – if not all – of Sunday’s game.

Payton found himself in a similar situation after clinching the division early in 2009. He decided to hold Brees out of the
regular-season finale at Carolina that year before ultimately leading New Orleans to its first Super Bowl championship in
franchise history.

“It was what we needed to do as a team (at that time). “You make decisions. They are not always right. You try to make them
with the right things to help your team,” said Payton, whose team has outscored opponents by an average of 15.6 points during
a seven-game winning streak.

“We just have to be smart. We are playing well, with some momentum. Each year is different.”

With 5,087 passing yards, Brees enters Week 17 just 190 ahead of New England’s
Tom Brady
– leaving Payton with a difficult decision. With the Patriots needing a win to clinch the top spot in the AFC, Brady could
very well surpass Brees’ mark if the Saints’ QB doesn’t play.

“I’m not really aware of the space between the two. I am probably better off not knowing,” Payton said.

“(We have to) put ourselves in the best position to play well and put ourselves in an opportunity to win a championship.”

Chase Daniel
, now in his second NFL season, figures to start if Brees is held out. Daniel has attempted just five career passes.

Though the Panthers will miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season, they have plenty to be excited about heading into
next year thanks to Newton. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft has led Carolina to four wins in five games and helped
post the second-highest scoring output in franchise history during Saturday’s 48-16 dismantling of Tampa Bay.

Newton completed 12 of 17 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns, surpassing
Peyton Manning
‘s previous record for passing yards by a rookie.

“For me to come in and do this is a tribute to so many people, including my coaches,” Newton, who’s thrown for 3,893 yards
and run for another 674, told the team’s official website.

“(My teammates) make my job easy. All I’ve got to do is put the ball in their vicinity, and they do the rest.”

While others have certainly stepped up – most notably wideout
Steve Smith
– Newton has accounted for 34 of Carolina’s 45 offensive touchdowns. His 14 rushing TDs are the most by a quarterback in NFL
history.

“I believe there is certainly that kind of talent in the locker where we can certainly take the next step and become a very
competitive football team (next year),” coach Ron Rivera said. “We have that ability.”

Smith, who along with center
Ryan Kalil
will represent the Panthers at the Pro Bowl, is four receptions away from surpassing Muhsin Muhammad’s team record of 696.

Carolina has dropped three straight in this series, but will look to take another step in the right direction with a win Sunday
– no matter who the Saints have under center.

“Either way, New Orleans is going to have to win, so they’re going to have to play and play hard. We’re going to show up and
play as hard as we can, too,” Rivera said. “You want their best shot. You want to give your best shot and you want to take
their best shot.”

The Panthers found themselves on the verge of victory Oct. 9 but suffered a 30-27 defeat after Brees found
Pierre Thomas
for a six-yard touchdown with 50 seconds remaining.

The Saints, who have won all seven games at the Superdome this season, have never gone 8-0 at home.

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WAFB) -

The head coach of the New Orleans Saints (12-3) said he is still planning to play his starters against the Carolina Panthers (6-9) on Sunday.

Sean Payton’s decision means quarterback Drew Brees will be adding to his NFL record 5,087 passing yards this season.

Brees said there are other records he might wind up breaking against the Panthers, but the focus is really not setting or extending records.

He is concentrating on being ready to seize an unlikely opportunity should the 49ers falter and preparing this team to go into the playoff hitting on all cylinders, a lesson it may not have learned at the end of last season.

“Still kind of pinch yourself that that really happened, but maybe, just because we’re so locked in with where we’re at and what we still have to accomplish, that it’s not necessarily time to reflect,” Brees said. “We can do that after the season. We’re still thinking about what’s ahead.”

In the first meeting between the teams this season, the Saints scored with less than a minute left in the game to squeak out a 30-27 win. Brees finished the game with 359 yards through the air and two touchdowns.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns, including a 54-yard TD toss to wide receiver Steve Smith. Newton also scored on a QB sneak.

Newton has had his own record-breaking season. He broke Peyton Manning’s single-season rookie record for most passing yards in a season. Manning finished with 3,739 yards in the 1998 season. Newton currently has 3,893 after a 48-16 win over the Tampa Bay Bucs on Saturday.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints are a perfect 7-0 at home this season and enter the game on a 7-game win streak.

Carolina has won its last two games.

Click here to watch highlights from Saints-Panthers on Oct. 9

Copyright 2011 WAFB. All rights reserved.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Despite a record-setting rookie season, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was not selected to the Pro Bowl. He certainly isn’t pouting over it. “Who am I to be mad at the fact that I’m the first alternate?” Newton said with a wide smile Wednesday. Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Eli Manning were selected over Newton, even though Manning has seven fewer total touchdowns. Newton says he was “honored” to be selected as a first alternate and knows there’s a good chance he might wind up replacing one of the guys ahead of him if he pulls out of the game or if the Packers, Saints or Giants wind up in the Super Bowl, which is now played one week after the Pro Bowl. “Those three guys are at the peak of their game,” Newton said. Still, Panthers coach Ron Rivera believes Newton deserved to go, citing the rookie’s ability to make plays with his feet. Newton has thrown for 20 touchdowns and run for 14, the most ever by a quarterback. By comparison, Manning has 27 total touchdowns — 26 passing and one rushing. Manning, however, has more yards passing (4,587) than Newton (3,893) and has a slightly higher quarterback rating. Both have 16 interceptions. “I’m disappointed,” Rivera said. “He’s first alternate, but still. People talk about the numbers weren’t as good as some of the other guys. But I disagree because of the combined numbers — not just throwing the ball, but running the ball.” The Panthers have led in 14 of 15 games this season, but are just 6-9 because they’ve struggled to close out games in the fourth quarter. Manning’s Giants will face the Cowboys this Sunday for the NFC East division title. All things considered, Newton has had a remarkable season for the Panthers and is one of the top candidates for NFL Rookie of the Year. He’s already broken Peyton Manning’s rookie record for yards passing in a season and has shattered Steve Grogan’s 35-year-old record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. This week against the Saints he needs 107 yards to become the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and run for 500 in the same season. Saints coach Sean Payton wouldn’t divulge who he voted for in the Pro Bowl, but said Newton has been impressive. He also believes Newton will end up playing in the game one way or the other. “He’s going to have a ton of opportunities to play in the Pro Bowl,” Payton said of Newton. “To be a rookie with no offseason and literally no minicamp and to report to training camp and do what he’s done is amazing. … He’s a guy that I see in that game. Unfortunately he’s also in our division.” Payton said he was impressed with Newton the first time he saw him in a uniform. “I remember being out at midfield the last time we played and seeing his stature and size and arm strength,” Payton said. “He’s got that warm smile that’s contagious to playing quarterback in this league and I think that (confidence) exudes over to his team.” When asked if he’s exceeded his own expectations this year, Newton said, “I’m all about how team success plays out and our record is not where we want to be. My goal before this year was to make it to the playoffs. We had ample opportunities to make that happen and I think we dropped the ball on that.” Center Ryan Kalil, who will represent the Panthers at the Pro Bowl along with receiver Steve Smith, said he expects Newton will be making plenty of trips to Hawaii in the future. “I think he has the respect of a lot of guys around the league and let’s face it, there’s nothing wrong with being a first alternate either, especially against the quarterbacks he has to compete against,” Kalil said. “But he’s had a heck of a season, especially as a rookie who didn’t have an offseason that a guy normally would have because of the lockout.” Kalil said he’s seen Newton mature as a leader both on and off the field. “We can’t be more excited about having him for the future,” Kalil said. Newton is excited, too. “The one thing we have made a big stride in is creating that hope and a buzz in the community of Charlotte,” Newton said. “You can see the fan support everywhere and to some degree we’ve succeeded in that level.”

“Who am I to be mad at the fact that I’m the first alternate?” Newton said with a wide smile Wednesday.

Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Eli Manning were selected over Newton, even though Manning has seven fewer total touchdowns.

Newton says he was “honored” to be selected as a first alternate and knows there’s a good chance he might wind up replacing one of the guys ahead of him if he pulls out of the game or if the Packers, Saints or Giants wind up in the Super Bowl, which is now played one week after the Pro Bowl.

“Those three guys are at the peak of their game,” Newton said.

Still, Panthers coach Ron Rivera believes Newton deserved to go, citing the rookie’s ability to make plays with his feet. Newton has thrown for 20 touchdowns and run for 14, the most ever by a quarterback.

By comparison, Manning has 27 total touchdowns — 26 passing and one rushing.

Manning, however, has more yards passing (4,587) than Newton (3,893) and has a slightly higher quarterback rating.

Both have 16 interceptions.

“I’m disappointed,” Rivera said. “He’s first alternate, but still. People talk about the numbers weren’t as good as some of the other guys. But I disagree because of the combined numbers — not just throwing the ball, but running the ball.”

The Panthers have led in 14 of 15 games this season, but are just 6-9 because they’ve struggled to close out games in the fourth quarter.

Manning’s Giants will face the Cowboys this Sunday for the NFC East division title.

All things considered, Newton has had a remarkable season for the Panthers and is one of the top candidates for NFL Rookie of the Year.

He’s already broken Peyton Manning’s rookie record for yards passing in a season and has shattered Steve Grogan’s 35-year-old record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.

This week against the Saints he needs 107 yards to become the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and run for 500 in the same season.

Saints coach Sean Payton wouldn’t divulge who he voted for in the Pro Bowl, but said Newton has been impressive. He also believes Newton will end up playing in the game one way or the other.

“He’s going to have a ton of opportunities to play in the Pro Bowl,” Payton said of Newton. “To be a rookie with no offseason and literally no minicamp and to report to training camp and do what he’s done is amazing. … He’s a guy that I see in that game. Unfortunately he’s also in our division.”

Payton said he was impressed with Newton the first time he saw him in a uniform.

“I remember being out at midfield the last time we played and seeing his stature and size and arm strength,” Payton said. “He’s got that warm smile that’s contagious to playing quarterback in this league and I think that (confidence) exudes over to his team.”

When asked if he’s exceeded his own expectations this year, Newton said, “I’m all about how team success plays out and our record is not where we want to be. My goal before this year was to make it to the playoffs. We had ample opportunities to make that happen and I think we dropped the ball on that.”

Center Ryan Kalil, who will represent the Panthers at the Pro Bowl along with receiver Steve Smith, said he expects Newton will be making plenty of trips to Hawaii in the future.

“I think he has the respect of a lot of guys around the league and let’s face it, there’s nothing wrong with being a first alternate either, especially against the quarterbacks he has to compete against,” Kalil said. “But he’s had a heck of a season, especially as a rookie who didn’t have an offseason that a guy normally would have because of the lockout.”

Kalil said he’s seen Newton mature as a leader both on and off the field.

“We can’t be more excited about having him for the future,” Kalil said.

Newton is excited, too.

“The one thing we have made a big stride in is creating that hope and a buzz in the community of Charlotte,” Newton said. “You can see the fan support everywhere and to some degree we’ve succeeded in that level.”

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

I witnessed history sitting in Section 234 of Bank of America Stadium on Christmas Eve as the Carolina Panthers destroyed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-16 in one of the most entertaining games I have ever attended.

Sitting to my right was my ten-year-old son as we shared a father-son bonding moment that will remain with both of us for the rest of our lives – or at least until I go senile or my son gets a concussion as a teenager one day doing something insane involving a skateboard, bike, or motorcycle. Sitting behind us was a funny, feisty, vocal grandmother who could have easily been a Tyler Perry character. In front of us was one very, very dejected Bucs fan. Together, we witnessed history.

1. Cam Newton’s Record-Setting Day

I stood and cheered a loud, “Caaaammmmm!!!” after the Panthers quarterback completed a short pass in the first quarter and the PA announcer informed the fans that Cam Newton had just set the new single-season rookie passing records, surpassing Peyton Manning’s previous mark. The on-field action was paused for a moment to recognize the milestone. Cam was pretty ho-hum about the whole thing, but those of us at Bank of America Stadium cheered loudly to make sure the Panthers young quarterback understood just how much we appreciate the hope he has infused into the franchise. I leaned over to my son and said, “I can’t believe we get to watch this guy for the next twelve years.”

2. Brandon LaFell’s Record-Setting Catch

The Panthers were backed up to the Caroline nine yard line, near the end zone by my section of the stadium. Cam Newton dropped back to pass and threw deep over the middle for wide receiver Brandon LaFell. LaFell leaped to make the catch then turned on the afterburners, streaking for a Panthers record 91-yard touchdown. The long play was awesome. It was even more meaningful for me because Brandon LaFell is one of my son’s favorite Panthers players. When my son and I play catch in the front yard, he usually pretends he is Brandon LaFell, so we reacted like the “Nintendo Sixty Foooouuurrrr!” kid when LaFell scored on the long touchdown.

3. My Stomach’s Record-Setting Performance

I ordered the nachos with extra cheese and jalapenos during halftime. The “cheese” was probably not FDA approved and had the consistency of Silly Putty. But I was hungry and it was the best option, and my digestive system responded like an All-Pro.

4. The Distrust of Olindo Mare

The vibe I picked up from the rest of the fans in the crowd is that struggling kicker Olindo Mare is about as trusted as Bernie Madoff. I have previously written about Mare’s statistically disastrous season. When Carolina faced a 4th-and-1 from the Tampa Bay 1 just before halftime, nearly everybody in the stands yelled, “Goooooooo!” When Olindo Mare trotted onto the field there was an audible sigh from the crowd. The Tyler Perry-esque grandma sitting behind me exclaimed, “Oh Lord, let us pray!” as Mare lined up for the chip shot field goal. It’s never good when divine intervention must be invoked for a professional kicker to make 19-yarder.

5. Bonding With My Son

Few things in life bring fathers and sons together like sports. My son is in the fifth grade and I assistant coach is basketball team. We play football together in the front yard. He plays in my fantasy football league and will likely finish third in a competitive 12-team league. My son and I have a close relationship and sports will always be something we share together. While it was great to see the Panthers win, Cam Newton break records, and Brandon LaFell’s run to daylight, none of that compared with the special opportunity this game gave me to just enjoy a day alone with my son. At ten years old he is old enough and knows enough about football to appreciate the game, but he is still just young enough to be awe-struck by a big stadium and start-struck by NFL players. The smile on his face was the best early Christmas present I could have asked for.

Andrew Sweat is a North Carolina resident and loyal Panthers fan. More from this author:

‘Gamers & Lamers’ in Panthers vs. Texans

The Curse of the Carolina Panthers DT Strikes Again!

Top Five Crazy-But-True Carolina Panthers Stats

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.