Drew Brees knows both Saints and Panthers need a win, and the more desperate team comes out on top

The Carolina Panthers are one of a handful of teams that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees doesn’t have a winning record against. His collective 9-10 record (8-10 with the Saints) has seen its fair share of ups and downs, and he’s treating Sunday’s matchup features two teams that are desperate for a win. Here’s a few things from his Wednesday press conference with the media.

On the Panthers defense:

“They have a bunch of great players on that defense. I think they have always done a great job upfront with their front 7. Those two linebackers, Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly are one of the best tandems certainly in the business now but maybe ever. Those two guys are pretty incredible. Just what they do and how the execute the defense and run the scheme and get everybody squared away with what they are doing. They are a very smart group and a high performing group. I have a lot of respect for these guys.”

On the Panthers slow start:

“I think it is probably the way it has bounced. As I analyze it and from what I’m looking at from a defensive perspective, I think they’re as good now as they’ve ever been. I know they have had some tough losses just like we have. I think we know exactly what they are capable of and we think we know the mindset they have coming in this week eating away (at them) just like we do. There is always a lot at stake especially with divisional games and especially with the situation that we are in.”

On the need for both teams to win on Sunday:

“The most desperate team wins, so if there’s not desperation, you create desperation. I do not think it makes or breaks the season, but it is certainly important. I would say that both teams would expect to be much better than what their records reflect right now.”

On the division rivalry:

“There are always new wrinkles when playing these guys. There is always a bit of expect the unexpected. It’s not going to look like it did last time. Obviously you see how the course of the game is going and you make adjustments accordingly, but at the end of the day you have to be ready for anything.”

“We talk about division games and the importance of them anytime, home or away. We are still early in the season so this is first time out playing all of our divisional opponents. Coming off a bye week and just where we are in the season, it really does not matter who we are playing. Every game has just that much more importance and value.”