Drew Brees on facing Tom Brady in playoffs: 'I guess it was inevitable'

Drew Brees and Tom Brady are two of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history, and they will face off for the third time this season this weekend, as the New Orleans Saints will play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brees said that from the moment Brady decided to join the Saints' division rival, it felt like this showdown was unavoidable.

"I guess it was inevitable," said Brees. "Listen, the minute that he signed with the Bucs and came in the division, you felt like that was gonna be a team to contend with. That was gonna be a team that had playoff aspirations and beyond, just like us."

So far this season, Brees and the Saints have managed to get the best of Brady and the Bucs, winning both regular-season games between the two. However, this third game is for all the marbles, as whoever wins will head to the NFC Championship Game, while the loser will see their season come to end. 

The game feels especially urgent given that both quarterbacks are in their 40s and may not have many shots left at adding another Super Bowl to their resume. While both quarterbacks could return for another season and face off at least two more times, there have been rumors that Brees is considering retiring at the end of the season.

Despite both being in the league for nearly two decades, Brees and Brady have never faced off in the playoffs before, as Brady spent most of his career in the AFC and their combined 10 Super Bowl starts did not overlap.