Saints’ coach Sean Payton is known as a great motivator. Last week, before New Orleans game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he hung a blank banner above the field of the teams indoor practice facility to make an important point.
The message was loud and clear to his players. At 11-4 heading into their Week 17 game the Saints weren’t guaranteed a division championship versus the Buccaneers. There was still more work to do.
It was motivation that didn’t fall on def ears, however the Saints would lose on a last-minute touchdown by Tampa Bay. Deflating, yes, but they still emerged with the NFC South crown thanks to the Falcons win over the Panthers.