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3 Horrible Decisions Sean Payton Made That Doomed the Saints in Loss to Vikings

By Braulio Perez

Questionable calls from Sean Payton doomed the New Orleans Saints against the Minnesota Vikings.
Questionable calls from Sean Payton doomed the New Orleans Saints against the Minnesota Vikings. / Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Once again, the season has ended in heartbreak for the New Orleans Saints. Everyone expected them to take down the Vikings at home, but Minnesota just stunned the NFL with a 26-20 overtime win.

While everyone left the stadium furious, perhaps no one should be angrier than Sean Payton. Straight up, there were multiple mistakes made by the head coach, none bigger than these three.

3. Not Challenging Down by Contact on Anthony Harris Interception

In the first half, a costly Drew Brees interception gave the Vikings excellent field position. However, it looked like Anthony Harris was down by contact when he came away with the pick. Why didn't Sean Payton challenge this play? The Saints had THREE timeouts remaining with just over two minutes to go in the half. Thanks to his return, the Vikes had the ball in New Orleans territory. That should have never been the case.

2. Not Calling a Timeout Following Late 3rd-Down Stop

New Orleans Saints v Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints v Carolina Panthers / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

The Saints defense came up HUGE, getting the ball back for Drew Brees and the offense with 2:45 remaining in the game with a third-down stop. However, with a timeout handy, Payton decided not to use one before the two-minute warning. What was he thinking? To make matters worse, though New Orleans had plenty of time to make something happen, the playcalls showed the team was going for the tie. You have Brees and one of the most potent offenses in the league, and you didn't go for the win? He never even used the timeout on the following drive, which would've helped after Jared Cook's catch and run down the middle ate a bunch off the clock. Senseless.

1. Failing to Use Michael Thomas Against Hobbled Vikings Secondary

Wild Card Round - Minnesota Vikings v New Orleans Saints
Wild Card Round - Minnesota Vikings v New Orleans Saints / Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Where was Michael Thomas late in the game? He finished with a respectable seven receptions for 70 yards, but it certainly didn't feel that way. For Payton and the offense to not focus on getting him the rock makes zero sense, especially with the well-documented struggles of Xavier Rhodes in addition to the Vikings being without DBs Mike Hughes and MacKensie Alexander. Even on their final drive, Thomas didn't have the opportunity to go up and make one of his usual breathtaking plays. This is on Payton and Payton only.