With a Saints-themed December cover, we’re not in a position to throw stones at any other print media’s attempt to get a piece of the attention that the team commands. Still, fake drama’s fake drama and doesn’t serve anyone well. Jeff Duncan at The Times-Picayune is a friend, but his column today claiming that Drew Brees’ weak performance Saturday night cost him the NFL’s most valuable player award reads like an effort to make something from nothing.

He claims, “They likely lost their chance at an MVP award.” But then he quotes a number of sports writers:

Most agreed the race is a two-arm race between [Payton] Manning and Brees,  with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre a distant third. Most said Manning was slightly ahead of Brees but insisted Brees remains in the mix.

“If I had to vote today,  I’d probably lean slightly to Manning,  but not by much,  and I’m still open to Brees finishing strong while Manning maybe rests some the next two weeks, ” said Don Banks of Sports Illustrated.

“Every game matters, ” said Peter King of Sports Illustrated,  who attended the Cowboys-Saints game and watched it from the press box. “And certainly there would be a premium on a quarterback playing at the top of his game going 16-0. But he’s not eliminated because of one performance in which he was chased all over creation.”

Said Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News: “Unlike the Heisman Trophy,  the NFL MVP award is not based on one game. Brees remains in the mix with Manning and Favre.”

That doesn’t suggest the deal is done and Brees screwed himself. Even those who support Duncan’s premise do so guardedly.

“Brees greatly damaged his chances, ” said Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com. “He and Manning were neck and neck entering this weekend. Manning came through in crunch-time and had almost a flawless performance. Brees? Not so much.”

Said Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune: “I had Manning slightly ahead of Brees coming into this weekend,  and now he is a little further ahead. Brees dropped a notch last night,  but it’s still Manning’s award to lose.”

Said Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram,  who,  like King and Marvez,  attended the game: “I think Peyton moved to the top of my ballot. If the Colts go undefeated,  I think it’s a lock for Peyton.”

Kaufman already had Manning ahead, and Williams’ “if” says his decision isn’t made, undercutting Duncan’s premise.

The Times-Picayune has found many ways to get the Saints on the front page and even more ways to get them in the teaser space above the headline. Some have been more honorable than others, but this is the first (to my recollection) that took the obvious – Brees had a bad game – and made it into a sprawling faux drama that its quotes don’t really support.

If Brees loses the MVP, it won’t be December 19 that undid him; it’ll be December.