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METAIRIE, La. -- Even though they're enjoying the most successful decade in the near half-century of the club's existence, which includes its only Super Bowl win, the New Orleans Saints have proven that they still can't get out of their own way at times. The latest example came Sunday when the Saints had a chance to come out of a game holding their head above water for the first time since finishing the 2013 season with an 11-5 record.
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But after winning three games in a row to climb back to the .500 mark, the Saints (4-5) couldn't finish the deal against a one-win Tennessee Titans team that had lost six consecutive games -- costing head coach Ken Whisenhunt his job.
The Saints led by 11 points on two occasions, but wound up dropping a 34-28 overtime decision to the Titans (2-6) before a dismayed and disappointed crowd in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It marked the fifth time since head coach Sean Payton took over in 2006 that the Saints were unable to climb above the .500 mark after digging an early hole for themselves at the start of a season.
"I felt early on we had our opportunities to get out ahead and score a few more, and all of a sudden, we got a turnover," Payton said. "There was a sequence of about two or three things that happened.
"The second half comes and we struggle with some protections, we can't get off the field definitely, we get in field-goal range and we get a kick blocked. We fumble a return. We do those things that keep you from winning."
For starters, the Saints couldn't protect Drew Brees, who was sacked four times by a blitzing Titans defense, and fumbled a punt that Tennessee turned into a field goal. Cornerback Keenan Lewis and free safety Jairus Byrd collided while trying to intercept a wounded duck thrown by Marcus Mariota and tight end Delanie Walker snatched it out of the air for a 61-yard touchdown.
Also, cornerback Kyle Wilson committed a roughing the passer penalty in the fourth quarter on third-and-9 that allowed a drive to continue and the Titans scored a touchdown a few plays later.
Despite all that, the Saints still had a chance to win the game in regulation. But Kai Forbath's 46-yard game-winning field-goal attempt in the final minute was partially blocked after a bad snap by Justin Drescher.
"The thing that's frustrating about this one is you battle back and you have a mental and emotional letdown, because it's so hard emotionally to get back to that (.500 mark)," right tackle Zach Strief said. "When you're sitting at 1-4, it takes a lot of effort and energy and emotions to get back to 4-4."
--Saints coach Sean Payton said Monday a low snap by Justin Drescher and poor blocking in two areas went into the missed field-goal attempt in the final minute of regulation in Sunday's game with the Tennessee Titans.
The Saints and Titans were tied at 28-28 when Kai Forbath lined up a 46-yard field-goal attempt that could have given the Saints a win. But the snap was bad and Forbath had the kick partially blocked by the Titans, who went on to win 34-28 with a touchdown on their first possession in overtime.
After a review of the game tape, Payton said Forbath and holder Thomas Morstead were not at fault on the botched kick.
"The protection on the field goal was poor ... the snap was poor," Payton said. "The timing sequence was fine in regards to the hold getting down, the kick getting off. But it gets tipped.
"So the sequence, the timing of it, was better than I expected to see. It was clean. But it was a low snap, and the protection was poor in two areas."
--With backup quarterback Luke McCown expecting to undergo season-ending back surgery, the Saints will sign former Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn.
Citing a source, both the New Orleans Times-Picayune and New Orleans Advocate reported via their websites on Monday evening that Flynn would be joining the team to be the backup for Drew Brees.
Also, Flynn tweeted that he was signing with the Saints: "Looks like my hunting season is over!" There was also an image of a fleur-de-lis.
McCown had full participation in practice last Wednesday, but then was held out of Thursday and Friday's sessions. The source indicated that McCown will have surgery Tuesday.
--Saints cornerback Brandon Browner got into a verbal altercation with a reporter in the locker room after his team's overtime loss to the Titans.
It was the second time in a month Browner had lashed out at media following a game as he also took exception to questions that came after a 39-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 11.
This time, reporters were interviewing free safety Jairus Byrd in the locker room when Browner objected to questions being asked of Byrd and started shouting profanities.
The Times-Picayune reported that Browner, as he was walking away, used a crude term to refer to a reporter. WWL-TV reporter Lyons Yellin appeared to be the target of most of Browner's anger.
Offensive lineman Mike McGlynn intervened and tried to get Browner into an adjacent room away from the media. When Browner returned later, a media relations staff member stood nearby until he finished dressing.
Browner, one of the team's defensive captains, later posted a tweet saying, "I accept that I was wrong today."
--The NFL Network reported Sunday, citing three sources, that Payton has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave the Saints if there was a change in ownership.
In the report, the NFL Network said the franchise would be willing to let Payton become a "coaching free agent" if that's what he wants to do.
Payton has been the subject of several rumors recently regarding his future employment with the team even though he is under contract through the 2017 season. Any team that wants to talk to him would have to receive permission from the Saints to do so.
The Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts have been mentioned as teams that might have an interest in Payton following the 2015 season and he's also been linked to the head coaching job at USC.
