The Saints season is over and a Hall of Fame career could be over too. In the third matchup of the season, Tampa Bay got the better of New Orleans beating the Black and Gold 30-20 in what could be quarterback Drew Brees’ final game. It was a difficult year for Brees and another tough home playoff loss, but he’s happy for the journey.
“No complaints, no regrets, man, I always tried to play this game with a great respect and great reverence for it and I appreciate all that this game has given to me,” said Brees.
Brees was asked in the postgame if this was his last game, but the 42-year-old was not ready to announce a decision on Sunday night. If this was a Brees’ final game, it ends with him throwing three interceptions.
“You know a couple of them I shouldn’t have thrown, maybe forced it in there, probably a little off on the overall execution, but at the end of the day that’s what this day came down to was those turnovers,” said Brees.
The Saints had four turnovers on the night and it led to 21 Tampa Bay points. Coach Sean Payton says it’s hard to win postseason games when you do that.
“It’s hard to beat a team in the playoffs, in the divisional round of the playoffs, when you have that lopsided of a turnover ratio, credit Tampa Bay, they did enough things and played well to win,” said Payton.
Payton and Brees arrived in New Orleans together in 2006 as the city was just beginning its long recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The two guided New Orleans to the NFC Championship game that season and won a Super Bowl three seasons later. Payton was asked about what Brees has meant to the organization, but the coach says he can give that answer in the future.
“Obviously he’s been tremendous for this team and this city, but let’s wait and answer that at the right time,” said Payton.
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