Brees smashed Dan Marino's single season passing record, which had stood for 27 years, racking up an astonishing 5,467 yards and for good measure set a record completion percentage of 71.2.

But that all meant nothing when it came to the playoffs, when it really counts.

Brees responded to the challenge with 928 yards in two post-season games and seven touchdowns but next week he will be watching the conference games at home.

The Saints played their part in a thrilling playoff at Candlestick Park on Saturday, twice taking the lead in the final four minutes but twice having it wiped out by the San Francisco 49ers - definitively with a 14-yard pass from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis to win the game.

It was a thrilling contest and one which either side would have deserved to win but the sudden-death nature of the playoffs leaves no room for those who just miss out.

"It is hard when you get that close then it slips away from you," said Saints head coach Sean Payton. "We had our opportunities and yet we credit San Francisco for making one more play than us to win a tough game."

The defeat robbed the Saints of the chance at a second Super Bowl in three years and one which, had they made it to Indianapolis, many would have backed them to win.

The ingredients for success that were evident in the 2009 team Payton assembled and Brees led with some accomplishment on the field were present again this year.

"This loss doesn't do our season justice," Saints cornerback Jabari Greer told the Times-Picayune newspaper.

"Ultimately though, we go home as a team that has broken numerous records but couldn'gt get the one win we needed to move on," he added.

The passing game was complimented by powerful running this year, although it was noticeable that the 49ers, having knocked Saints back Pierre Thomas out of the game early in the first quarter, were able to limit their opponents on the ground.

That meant a reliance on the passing of Brees and while he gave up two interceptions as the Saints turned the ball over five times in the game, he delivered.

Brees ended with 463 yards and four touchdowns, a headline performance in most years but this season par for the course for the classy 33-year-old.

"As we look at this game, all you want is a chance to win at the end and we had that," said Brees who knows that he will look back on this year as a vintage one but one which ultimately has to be considered a missed chance to win another ring.

"I felt like we had all the pieces in place. I felt like we were playing very, very well. We were getting better every week. We were healthy. I felt like this was our opportunity to make a run".

(Writing by Simon Evans in Miami, Editing by Ed Osmond)