Is It 'Gut Check' Time For Sean Payton, Drew Brees as Saints Drop Second Straight?

The Green Bay Packers defeated the New Orleans Saints Sunday night and tension is officially brewing in The Big Easy. Falling to 1-2 serves as the Saints' first knockdown and Sean Payton has to make sure they get up off the mat. Early season 'gut checks' aren't always a bad thing and might make this team for accountable going forward.

Judging football teams for their September records has never been the move, so let's not act like these losses are suddenly meaningful. Losing in the opening weeks of the season never buries great teams, but it does spotlight great leaders. If Sean Payton is essentially a .500 coach in Septemeber while winning at .745 clip in October, maybe Payton needs these moments?

Michael Thomas' absence obviously hasn't helped and scheduling of course didn't do them any favors with Tampa, Vegas, and Green Bay. Any dirt thrown on a 41-year-old Drew Brees and this franchise will likely be used to fuel going forward. ALL great NFL players and franchises don't win in September, but they all win in October and thats what counts.

Helps that the division stinks

At 2-1, the Saints still sit in 2nd place with Carolina and Atlanta behind them. Nothing will help that October surge more than their late October matchup with the Panthers. There is nothing to worry about in New Orleans and being 14th in passing yards and 23rd in rushing will all soon be water under the bridge.