SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VS. NEW ORLEANS SAINTSSUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016SAINTS QB DREW BREES

(On the impact of field goals on momentum for the Saints)
"Anytime we could get points in this game, it was critical. I think the toughest decision was the one that happened early in the, I guess, second quarter where we got down and it was probably fourth and six inches inside their 10-yard line. We're down 7-0 and you just want to be able to match the score, but the smart thing to do, the right thing to do was kick the field goal and take the points. Like you said, keep the momentum going. I think from that point on, (I'm) not sure if we punted. It was methodical, just trying to sustain drives, being very efficient on the pass, being very patient. This is a defense that thrives on you being impatient against them. They have done it for the last five years, at a long and alarming rate. (They are the) Number one defense in the league in regards to points. There's not a weak link in that defense. Period. You just know you're going to have to earn every yard. Every third down is crucial to keep the chains moving so you have the opportunity to get points. At the end of the day, we won time of possession by a large margin. I think we possessed the ball thirty-seven minutes out of sixty so when you can do that and end up with points as well, that's very complementary in regards to how the position you put your defense in."

(On if he was campaigning to go for it on fourth downs)
"The first one was so close. You're just angry that you came up just a little bit short. The other ones, listen, it's the right thing to do. You had to kick it, take the points and keep the momentum going."

(On the last play)
"They did a nice job putting themselves in a position to throw one and have a chance at it. Defensively, they came up with a huge stop, huge play and so many games in this league come down to something like that and especially against an opponent like this, we figured something like that. I'm just glad, offensively, we were able to possess the ball on our final drive, get down there, get points, to make it 'need a touchdown as opposed to 'need a field goal' which obviously ended up being a huge factor."

(On Nate Stupar's interception)
"It was huge. Because if you look at the total of turnovers, it was one and one. Their defense scored. We didn't even give our defense an opportunity to get out there to try to stop them. So we got excited when Nate's interception ended up resulting in seven points for us. So you say that's a wash. Typically, I think they don't give those opportunities so when we can take one back, it's huge."

(On the balance of the passing and rushing game)
"I will look to the stat guy in the room to tell us the last time that happened. 50/50. That is good stuff. That was the formula for today. Against that defense, that was pretty stout. Thirty five runs, average three and a half per carry because I think what we've shown, with our personnel, we're mixing up guys, in and out of the game all the time. We use every back. We use every tight end. We use every receiver. It's just what we do. I know Mark (Ingram) is going to bounce back with great force."

(On building off of this win)
"We have got to build on this. We have got to keep stacking wins like this. These can be defining wins, especially when you are a young team. The more situations that you can put yourself in, the better. This is the first time this year, with this team where it came down to a final play on the goal line and needed a stop and they did it. A confidence boost. When this situation arises in the future, hey we've been there. We know how to handle this. We know the emotions of it. We know how to conquer it. That's how you build your team."

(On Jimmy Graham and if they spoke)
"I didn't. I looked for him after the game. Listen, I love Jimmy so I'm sure we'll text this week. All good."

(On Richard Sherman)
"The (Richard) Sherman that shows up is always a guy who is ultra-competitive and plays at a high, high level. He's one of the elite corners in the league. You always have to know where he is and what he's up to. You have to identify your matchups accordingly. He's a great player."

(On the race to improve and where he thinks the offense is)
"I don't really know if it's appropriate to sit here and say where we're at. It's more just this is where we want to go. We cannot look any further than just the next game, the next opponent. We're only as good as our next performance and we've got a huge challenge on the road this week at San Francisco. I think we need to continue to be a better road team. I think that's the next step for this team so that's what I'm focused on right now.

(On the importance of Saints receivers playing physical against the Seahawks)
"It was very important. We knew that was going to be a big factor in this game. That's their MO. They're a fast, physical bunch that are used to taking it to teams with that type of mindset so we needed to be able to match that or overtake that with our level of intensity and physicality."

(On Michael Thomas)
"I feel very comfortable with Mike as I do all of our guys. Each week's gameplan is so specific to the opponent so we're just continuing to build that trust factor in regards to all of our offense and the execution of our offense. Each week, you never know whose opportunity it's going to be. Let's see who's got the matchup. Let's see who's got the hot hand. Let's just see how the game unfolds, how they're going to play us, but each one of those guys knows that they're opportunities will come."

(On the hurdle of playing San Francisco)
"They're a great team and they are one of the elite teams in the NFC so you just know that this is the team that you're going to have to battle as you go along here if you want to get to where you want to get. So I think that's really the mental mindset, is just knowing that we've played this team, they gave us their best shot, we gave it our best shot, we came out on top or we could very well see this team in the future."

(On Terron Armstead)
"Very impressed. He's a tough guy. A real prideful guy. I think that room, that's a special room. All those O-lineman. They hold each other accountable. They know how to have fun and they know when it's time to work. Just can't say enough about the group. Terron (Armstead), obviously, has been through some tough times over the last year, going back to last season with what he was dealing with and now this year, but he wants to be out there, he wants to be a part of this and I appreciate it very much."

(On Michael Thomas)
"I told him one step at a time. What I love about him is just his hunger and he is hungry to be a great player and he wants you to kind of fill up his plate and be like I can do that, I can do that. I think it is one step at time. We continue to just evolve and kind of grow the gameplan for him. He loves to work. He loves to compete. He loves the game of football and he wants to be a great player. I love guys like that and I couldn't ask for anything more out of a rookie wide receiver."

(On if running the flea flicker was discussed earlier)
"Yes. We did. That's always a thing if the timing is right. That's the Sean Payton wizard."