No one likes playing on a short week, but the Saints might volunteer for it right now.
After their latest road loss — a 27-16 job at St. Louis which underscored a disturbing trend — the Saints can’t wait to get to Charlotte for Sunday’s de facto NFC South title game against the Panthers.
“I can’t wait to get this taste out of my mouth,” center Brian de la Puente said, via Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I wish tomorrow could be next Sunday.”
The only problem will be that it’s on the road, and the Saints have proven effective there. They’re 7-0 at home, but 3-4 outside the Superdome, taking beatings from the Seahawks and Rams the last two times they ventured outside.
“I think it’s obvious, there’s something about us on the road that has to be addressed and fixed,” tackle Zach Strief said. “There’s something we have to identify, and we have to find it fast.”
So far this season, they’ve mostly practiced denial, saying it wasn’t a problem, but they can’t any longer.
“That was pretty ugly,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “Let’s be honest, you need to have the energy in a game like this. Week [15], with what is at stake and if we don’t, then maybe that is a good sign as to where we are at. . . .
“I am sure the tape won’t be very exciting, but it will be revealing.”
During the game yesterday, the frustration was evident. Payton was barking at assistants and players, and benching starting left tackle Charles Brown at one point.
His mood when they review film likely won’t be much better, now that their problem can’t be denied. And if they can’t solve it quickly, any playoff games they manage will all be on the road.