See the best moments from Saints wide receiver, Michael Thomas, in the Week 15 match up against the New York Jets.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) carries against New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (26) on a first down reception in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) scores on a touchdown reception in front of New York Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne (21) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) scores on a touchdown reception in front of New York Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne (21) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
The 2017 New Orleans Saints possibly will etch their name into the franchise history books Sunday with a win over Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium, a victory that would give New Orleans its fourth NFC South Division title (and its first since 2011), and the sixth division crown in team history.
Meanwhile, second-year receiver Michael Thomas will be chasing team and league history.
Thomas, who will enter the game with 98 catches for 1,151 yards and five touchdowns, is two catches away from setting a franchise single-season record (Jimmy Graham had 99 in 2011) and five short of setting an NFL record for receptions in the first two seasons of a career (Miami's Jarvis Landry sits atop the list, with 194).
"It's a blessing just to be in that position, to have that opportunity," Thomas said. "And then just thankful for the support system I have, the people around me. The opportunity to be in this position, I'm just real grateful and blessed.
"You always want to set real high goals and challenge yourself to get to those. I feel like when you play this game you have to have a plan. I feel like I have a plan to be one of the top guys in this league at this position. It doesn't come overnight, it's a long season, it's a process, (there are) ups and downs. But if you stay the course and follow directions and stay disciplined, I feel like good things happen and the sky's the limit."
The first order of business, though, will be attempting to win Sunday's game. If the Saints are able to do so, Thomas, a member of last year's 7-9 team, will reconnect with some of the feelings he grew accustomed to having in college.
"I was telling Coach (Sean) Payton, coming from Ohio State, it seemed like we used to hang banners on the wall every year. So, being able to have that opportunity to do it here, that's the only goal in front of us and that's what we have to handle.
"Just bring that kind of feeling that I had in college, winning championships, hanging banners, and stuff like that – to be able to do it at this level, a higher level, it's a blessing and I just want to continue on with the success."
