Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

Overall thoughts today

“That was a difficult loss. (I) Congratulate Carolina for fighting back. I was real proud of our players today though. I thought we played with great passion, great energy and did the things necessary to win a football game, just came up short in the end. I was pleased with how we played, especially the conditions during that 2nd half. We just kind of hung in there, kept fighting. We didn’t get the win, but we play like we’re going get plenty of them. It was a tough loss.”

On similarities between this game and Patriots game

“Well, different type of game. Losing late is always difficult, but just the way this game unfolded was..field position, we were kind of pinned back there for a while. They did a good job getting a couple of punts down and then we were able to hit Jimmy (Graham) on a play, kind of get out of that area, ended up with a score. So it was a field position game. Shoot, defensively we played lights out. We gave up the big drive at the end, but it’s disappointing, it’s not discouraging. I was proud, as I have been all season, with the effort and the way we played. We’ll be just fine [if] we keep doing that.”

What changed in final drive regarding defensive coverage on Cam Newton?

“Let me back you up with a question. The same looks we played in the series before. We were getting good pressure with our four-man front, mixing the coverages a little bit. Same thing, they hit a big play on and end cut, but nothing different.”

What’s the message in the locker room?

“Listen, the message is positive. Last play like that, it’s tough, it’s disappointing, but the message is putting it out there the way they did and we were in a position. It didn’t happen. We’ll bounce back. These guys are resilient. I was pleased with how they approached this game."

Did you answer critics about play on the road today?

“I think we did what we needed to do. Running the football. We did what we needed to do defensively and look, this year we haven’t been as successful on the road. I’ll leave it at that before I say something dumb.”

On division opponent play

“Yeah, this game was different. Both defenses were battling hard. We had that little stretch after the half where it was coming down pretty heavy. As best you could, it was really field position. I thought our guys up front on both sides of the ball battled and played real well. I thought we did a good job blocking them. I haven’t looked at the numbers yet, but I thought we put ourselves in a position to win and we weren’t able to finish it, but I was pleased with our effort.”

On Terron Armstead’s effort.

I” thought very good. He had a good week in practice. I thought with the matchup he had I thought very good. We knew going in there were going to be some challenges, there always is at the position though, but very good.”

Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers

Related article: New Orleans Saints players postgame quotes

Re: Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

Those questions sort of let him off the hook. No questions really about the offense or play calling or drews back breaking mistakes or that fake field goal try on 4th down.

Re: Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

Not happy to hear this presser. Payton seems almost okay with this loss. he really just says everyone played well and credit to them. This has been such a disappointing come back for him.

He needs to take credit for his 13th ranked offense... Brooks and Haslett saw better years than 13th... awful job by Payton this year.

Re: Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

the OL once again let us down the whole game. the entire line. as it has all season we are 13th because we have the 13 ranked OL.


as for the interview mot one real football question was asked

the last drive was not the same defense we were playing all game. it was not!

now SP has blame on once again trying to scheme his way to a win by being cute.

at least he has company this year. Roy Boy does the same thing.

bad weather football KISS

if aint broke do not try to fix it Roy

Re: Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

I did not like his presser at all after today's game. I feel like I watched a completely different game than Payton if he was this positive. The offense laid a total egg and the defense once again failed to close a game out yet he was "pleased with how we played." Also don't know how he can say with a straight face that Armstead did "very good." He's being way to kind considering we blew a great chance to clinch the #2 seed in the NFC.

Re: Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

Thats what I thought. He is talking like we won the game. Im like listening to him with my jaw dropped.
If he is this complacent no wonder the players dont have that fire under them. We just have not looked hungry all season.

Re: Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

My sentiments as well. I listened to the presser on the way home, and could not believe my ears. I thought if anything, he was trying reverse psychology on his team after such a brutal, dejecting loss (not to mention the loss of Vaccarro, and our o-line play...let's be honest it doesn't bode well for in/if the post-season). But I also think that's one of Payton's biggest problems, he out-thinks himself too much sometimes.

That doesn't mean I think we'd be better off without him, either.

Re: Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

It's funny how a lot of us talk as if we know more about football or our The saints "game plan" than the Head Coach I'm pretty sure he sees things that we don't and something's we won't understand its reasons behind what they do even though I'm sure my fellow who dats knew dat

Re: Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

Definitely some Haslett-esque remarks.

Re: Sean Payton talks Sunday's loss to Carolina Panthers
 

It does sound like he has accepted this loss & whatever losses my come for the remainder of the season. Sounds like he felt beat down to me. Is he already thinking next year?