Sean Payton concerned over Saints’ struggles on road ahead of Panthers trip
By Mike Dyce
The New Orleans Saints currently are the second seed in the NFC playoff picture. Despite being a dominating 7-0 at home, they’ve struggled on the road where they have a 3-4 record.
As they prepare to take on the Carolina Panthers on the road, there is a lot of concern over that record. The Panthers are 10-4, the same record as the Saints, and win would give the Panthers the second seed while the Saints would become a Wild Card team heading into the season finale.
“No, probably in fairness to that, maybe earlier in the year but those questions certainly are valid ones right now,” Payton said, via the Saints’ official website. “I think over our tenure here in 2006 we have played very well on the road and yet that is insignificant as it pertains to 2013. No I don’t know that we necessarily embrace it or get frustrated with it, it is really you guys reporting what is accurate. Maybe three weeks ago after or two months ago after the Jet loss, but it is what it is right now though.”
Payton also realizes that the offense can’t struggle away from the Superdome.
“I think there are games where we can point to where we didn’t play very well,” he said. “I think it is more than anything else; it forces you as coaches, as players to look closely at hey, what can I do to improve how we play when we travel.”