Sean Payton: Two straight losses a 'gut check' for Saints

With a 37-30 defeat to the current crowned jewel of the NFC in the Green Bay Packers, the New Orleans Saints have lost two straight games for the first time since dropping the first two games of the 2017 campaign. 

Saints head coach Sean Payton made no excuses for his club dropping to 1-2 on the season and admitted that the team hasn't been disciplined enough to start the year.

"It's been a while since we felt that, but three years ago, we were 0-2. A little bit of a gut check, and yet we aren't playing well enough," Payton said, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett. "Let's not fool ourselves. We're making too many mistakes. We aren't playing disciplined enough on both sides of the ball. That's really just the truth.

"You're frustrated as a coach because that starts with us. We have to do a better job. We have to get ready to play a better game against Detroit (next week)."

New Orleans has been subpar on offense thus far. However, the club is missing Drew Brees' top target, Michael Thomas, due to a high ankle sprain. With Brees struggling to get in the groove, the Saints rank 17th in total yards per game. 

While the 41-year-old signal-caller had his most productive game against the Packers, throwing for 288 yards and three touchdowns, he knows the offense can be much better. 

With a Week 4 matchup against the 1-2 Detroit Lions, the Saints will be expected to win and even their record against Matt Patricia's squad. Luckily for the New Orleans offense, Thomas is eyeing a Week 4 return.