METAIRIE, La. (MCT) — Of the 20 questions posed to Saints coach Sean Payton during his Monday press conference, more than half revolved around one topic — quarterback Drew Brees’ quest for the single-season passing yards mark.

The questions ranged from whether or not the Saints had thrown the ball too much and run up the score during the Saints’ 42-7 drubbing of the 0-15 Detroit Lions on Sunday to whether Payton will alter his game plan this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers to give Brees every opportunity to chase down Dan Marino.

Brees’ 351 yards through the air Sunday in Detroit put his total at 4,683 on the season. The Saints passer needs 402 yards against the Panthers in the Louisiana Superdome to eclipse Marino’s mark of 5,084 set in 1984.

Payton said getting Brees within striking range of the milestone didn’t go into the coach’s decision to leave the Pro Bowl quarterback in until the very end of the Lions game despite the lopsided score.

The playcalling in the final two offensive series might indicate otherwise. Already with a 42-7 lead, the Saints started a drive with 1:48 left in the third quarter and Brees threw the ball six of the nine plays. The drive ended with 13:11 remaining in the game on a Pierre Thomas fumble.

The Saints got the ball back with 6:19 left in regulation and Brees threw the ball on second and third down as the team finally went into an all-run mode at the 4:24 mark to end the game. Payton said the offensive philosophy was the same way in lopsided wins against Green Bay and Oakland as well.

“A lot of it is just how much time you feel is left,” Payton said. “There are times we will do that. I think by and large we get in there, we’re finishing the game, at this point in the season especially trying to finish strong. I was pleased with how we were able to run the ball late in the game. We did a good job of that.

“Those are things as coaches that we think about and talk about: time left in the game, four-minute offense, are we running, are we operating with our normal offense. Those are all things that I have to think about, which I thought about yesterday. I said this after the game. Based on the way the game unfolded in the fourth quarter, they had the ball for a series there that all of a sudden came to a point where we were going to run the ball out.

“Prior to that, we were moving the football. You’re talking about the end of the third quarter, beginning of the fourth quarter and we’re not going into a four-minute mode at that time in the game.”

With only pride on the line for the Saints, Payton said he comprehends why much of the talk this week will focus on Brees’ chase for the record.

“I understand the question and why it’s being asked, but I think the main thing is just being mindful of it. The challenge is that it’s over 400 yards. We’re not talking about 211 yards or 186 yards. We’re talking about 400-some yards and it just makes it a little more different than maybe Deuce’s (McAllister) run here against Green Bay when he needed one more touchdown to become the all-time leading scorer.

“It’s like going into a game and saying (former New York Giants defensive end Michael) Strahan needs six more sacks to set the record. It’s significant. Four hundred-some yards is a lot and we just have to be mindful of why we’re playing the game.”

Payton also said it’s not like the Panthers are going to surrender and allow Brees to throw all over them. The Panthers can clinch the division and a first-round bye if they beat the Saints. If Carolina loses and Atlanta beats St. Louis, the Falcons are the NFC South champs and the Panthers would become the fifth seed and have to play the opening weekend of the postseason.

Plus, the Panthers defensive unit held Brees to one of his worst performances when Carolina hammered the Saints 30-7 in Week 7 as Brees threw for only 231 yards. That was his third lowest output in 2008. The Panthers rank 11th in pass defense, giving up an average of 201.3 yards per game. They have allowed a quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards only twice.

Arizona’s Kurt Warner threw for 381 yards, yet the Panthers still prevailed 27-23 in Week 8. Tampa Bay’s Jeff Garcia tossed for 321 yards, yet Carolina won that game, too, 38-23.

“I’m in a pickle here, because let’s just say the game plan calls for us to come out and throw the football against Carolina,” Payton said. “Let’s just say that that’s the game plan. Is that going to be perceived as the game plan by you guys or is it going to be perceived as here he goes?

“Honestly, I think it’s too important of a business; it’s our job as coaches and players to win. I believe that with all my heart. That’s why I think it’s our job to win and not to take a look at other players. Our job is to win and the credibility that we have in our locker room as coaches and as leaders of our team.

“They know who should be on the field, guys who give us the best chance. We’re playing first and foremost to try to win. Anything outside of that would be significant because it is significant, but it is a little unique in that it’s a number that … A lot of times that number is accompanied with a game that you got behind and threw it late and often.”