Sean Payton: Unpleasant film study ahead for ‘star players’ after Raiders loss

Well that didn’t go according to plan. The Las Vegas Raiders dominated too many key categories to lose in their home opener, and New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton wants his team — and its best players — to know as much. None of them will enjoy reflecting on this 34-24 loss, but it’s coming anyway.

“Two things,” Payton said in his opening statement after the game. “We couldn’t possess the ball enough offensively, and defensively we couldn’t get off the field.”

Payton highlighted a few areas he’s circled as areas in need of improvement, like third downs and time of possession. The Saints defense allowed the Raiders to convert 10 of their 17 third-down opportunities (and both of their tries on fourth down), while the offense held the ball for less than 24 minutes of regulation.

He continued, “We’re gonna look at the turnover before the half. We’ve got to do a better job coaching. I don’t think it’s going to be a real pleasant film to watch, for some of our star players as well.”

That giveaway Payton referenced — an out-of-character interception by Drew Brees, thrown to a Raiders linebacker lurking in underneath coverage — was killer. It set up a game-tying field goal just before halftime, allowing the Raiders to jump out to a lead once they received possession to start the second half. Stuck playing from behind, the Saints never seriously threatened Las Vegas with an upset.

It was an ugly game for Brees and other star talents in New Orleans, which Payton alluded to. Just 33% of Brees’ yards traveled through the air before being caught, his lowest percentage in three years. But flashy free agent pickups Emmanuel Sanders (one catch for 18 yards, with a minute left in the game) and Malcolm Jenkins (repeatedly victimized in coverage by Raiders tight end Darren Waller) failed to show up. So did defensive captain Cameron Jordan, who was matched up with a backup guard making his first career start at right tackle. It’s inexcusable.

So hopefully the Saints learn from this. Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are visiting soon, and the Saints have one fewer day to prepare than normal after embarrassing themselves in prime time.