Armstead had the flu. not the entire offensive line. The Falcons defense was atrocious. The Saints came into that game thinking they would just air it out all game, and it would be easy. But the Falcons decided to come after Brees with everything they had, and Payton made no adjustment.

That was not the style of play that led the team to success in Brees' absence. You're hung up on defending Brees, and neglecting to remember that it's that my point from to beginning of this conversation was how well the formula was working on offense when Brees was out. Bridgewater and Brees can both be game managers and win games. But with Brees, Payton thinks he can still go all air-raid. But that doesn't work well anymore. He can't get the ball out there. And he isn't going to get any better.

Those are the facts. You can either sit and wait till his arm falls off, are you can do something about the future now, while Drew is still capable of keeping the team reasonably afloat.