Sean Payton's return to New Orleans will lead off the storylines ahead of Thursday night's Broncos-Saints tussle, but it's not what players are focusing on ahead of the prime-time bout.
Saints veteran linebacker Demario Davis, who played four seasons under Payton, said that all side-talk should be shelved with New Orleans riding a four-game losing streak.
"It's an important game in the season and we've got to have it," he said. "I think it's two teams that are playing in an important game, just for the regular season. So, I think the backstory is going to have to take a backseat just for the challenge of getting a win."
Dennis Allen's club came out of the gate hot but has dropped four straight after a 2-0 start. The offense has gone from explosive to inconsistent, and the defense has completely collapsed.
Veteran Cameron Jordan noted the team was "pissed off" with how it's played recently, particularly how the defense got torched Sunday against Tampa Bay. The defensive tackling against the Buccaneers was atrocious in the 51-27 loss in which the Saints gave up 594 yards.
"Five-hundred-and-ninety-something friggin' yards in a game. Embarrassing," Jordan said.
Losers of four straight, the Saints sit at 2-4, two games back in the NFC South and 13th out of 16 NFC teams. Climbing out of that hole must start with a win over Payton's Broncos.
"I think we just need to win, man. I think we are desperate for a win. Losing five games straight is just not something that I even want to utter anymore or utter at all ... because we need to win," tight end Juwan Johnson said. "I think the city is in need of that. We are more than in need of that. So yeah, we're desperate."
So desperate, they can't give much thought to the coach on the other sideline.