Sean Payton couldn’t do anything about it.
But like any other Saints fan, he stewed over last week’s 40-32 loss to the Redskins.
“You feel like you’re watching your own family members so when they experience a loss, it’s frustrating,” Payton told Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I think it’s more frustrating when you’re just sitting back afar from a couch watching. . . .
“I sat down with a pad and paper and watched the game. Just started eating a bunch of junk food in the fourth quarter when they were losing.”
He wasn’t the only one feeling indigestion, but Payton was quick to say he’s not worried about the long-term direction of what is very much his team.
“These guys are pros and they understand week by week getting onto the next game and they certainly understand the importance of this next game,” he said. “The next one will be important. We’re in the division this week. We’ll handle this the right way.”
They didn’t Sunday, and are a road trip to Charlotte away from an 0-2 start.
And some of the problems give indications they’re missing their play-caller. They were a meager 2-of-11 on third downs, and while a costly 12 men on the field penalty wasn’t necessarily interim coach Aaron Kromer’s fault, it does speak to a bit of a leadership vacuum.
One that Payton can’t do anything but watch.