Statistically, Michael Thomas in 2017 has been Drew Brees' favorite target ever

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Drew Brees said Wednesday he doesn't throw a lot of 50-50 balls, dangerous passes that both the defense and intended receiver theoretically have a 50 percent chance of catching.

In the New Orleans Saints offense, Brees has thrived while spreading the ball around. Finding the open man as opposed to forcing passes is a key reason he's the most accurate quarterback in NFL history.

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With wide receiver Michael Thomas, though, Brees doesn't consider tough passes to be 50-50 balls. Even when Thomas is covered, Brees said those passes are closer to 70-30 in favor of Thomas because of his physicality.

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And that trust between Brees and Thomas is a key reason the second-year receiver has already made history and is on the verge of making more.

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Thomas has 94 catches for 1,085 yards through 14 games this season, and those numbers helped him earn an invitation to the Pro Bowl. His 94 receptions are already third all-time in Saints history, and with two games remaining, it's a safe bet he'll break Jimmy Graham's record of 99 from 2011.

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Thomas' volume is impressive on its own, but its spectacular considering how the Saints offense has changed this year. In addition to ranking fourth in passing offense, New Orleans has the fifth-ranked rushing attack, and because the Saints are running more, Brees has been throwing less. With 478 passes thus far, Brees is on pace for 546 attempts this year, which would be his second fewest in 12 seasons with the Saints behind only his 514 attempts in 2009.

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And although Brees is throwing less, he's passing to Thomas at a higher rate than any other player in his career -- including his time with the San Diego Chargers.

With 136 targets this season, Thomas has been the intended receiver on 28.5 percent of Brees' passes this season.

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Before this year, Brees had targeted just two Saints players -- Graham and Marques Colston -- more than 20 percent of the time over the course of a season, and neither of them came close to Thomas' rate.

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And when Brees was discussing Thomas' strong hands on Wednesday, the quarterback found a perfect way to explain -- and demonstrate -- why Thomas has been so effective.

"He attacks the ball," Brees said. "Have you ever watched him just catch balls in pre-game?"

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Then, before finishing his answer, Brees quickly snatched a recorder out of a reporter's hand.

"He snatches it like that," Brees said. "That's Mike, man. He attacks the ball. That's the sign of a great pass-catcher is someone who attacks the ball. I've only seen a few guys in my career do that."

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Graham and Colston both eclipsed 20 percent of Brees' targets three times. In 2011, when Graham set the Saints record for receptions (99) and targets (149), Brees threw his way on 22.2 percent of passes. In 2012, Graham was targeted 20.1 percent, and in 2013, it went up to 21.7 percent.

Colston's highest mark was 21.9 percent in 2007 in addition to 20.4 percent in both 2006 and 2009.

The only two guys who came close to Thomas' 28.5 percent share of Brees' passes played with the quarterback on the Chargers.

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