The New Orleans Saints were prepared for the worst in Seattle, because when you do, anything less seems easy by comparison.
And that's what happened in Seattle, with the "bomb cyclone" that got the Saints' attention not impacting the game as much as the coaches or players expected it might.
“Well, we worked all week on a plan. We worked all week on what we like in the run game, what we like in the pass game. And as you get closer to the game, I think you go through in your mind how the game might unfold. We had a playoff game in ’13 where it was windy, wet," Payton said after the 13-10 win. "And you just have to pay attention to the now and the present. … I can’t speak for last night’s game but that seemed damp and windy. … Overall I think it was a little bit less of a factor than I would’ve thought based from what I saw on the weather forecast.”
The conditions were windy and rainy, of course, but not enough to limit the Saints' play-calling in the way it might've been. Still, the Saints were fortunate that their two field goal attempts -- one of which secured the victory -- came in chip-shot territory with Brian Johnson hitting both in his NFL debut.
The Seahawks weren't nearly as fortunate, with veteran Jason Myers missing on two kicks attempted from outside 50 yards.
And even with better-than-expected conditions, Payton concedes that there were decisions made based on the idea that points would be at a premium. That included Johnson's first field goal attempt, which came at the end of a 10-minute, 19-play drive that stalled at the goal-line. The Saints had entered the game leading the NFL in red zone touchdown efficiency.
"I thought it was going to be a low-scoring game. We thought about going for it early on when we kicked our first field goal," Payton said. "I think they did the same thing. Points were going to be at a premium tonight. I don’t know what the charts say, but I felt like points were going to be important.”
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JAMEIS WINSTON: 'Just keep working'
It was an inefficient day passing the football for Jameis Winston, who finished 19-of-25 passing for 222 yards and a touchdown. But he knows he and his wide receiver group are getting closer.
There were also missed opportunities. A pair of pass attempts on the opening drive fell to the turf with Winston and a recovered Tre'Quan Smith appearing just a tick off.
In the second half, Winston took shots to practice squad call-up Kevin White and veteran Kenny Stills on go routes, only to have the ball tip off the WRs' fingertips on back-to-back plays. The big plays will come, Winston said.
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“I wish we could’ve hit a few, but like I said we’re going to continue to get better," Winston said. "Happy to get Kevin up, he was open on a few of them. I wish I could’ve connected with him. But, like I said, we’re going to continue to get better and get healthy in that receiver room. Just keep working.”
Winston wouldn't point to the weather as the culprit, but it did prompt him to skip the glove he'd typically wear on his non-throwing hand.
“It wasn’t that bad," Winston said. "It just was a gritty game, man. They played some good football and we played some good football. It was definitely a tough-fought game.”
As is often the case, the Saints' best weapon in the passing game was Alvin Kamara, who rolled up over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown before halftime. The Seahawks adjusted to double Kamara in the second half, limiting him and the Saints' offense on the whole. But not before Winston picked up a fumbled snap and found Kamara for a touchdown that sent the Saints into halftime with the lead.
“AK is one of the most dominant players in this league," Winston said. "So it’s always exciting when you put the ball in his hands and watch the things that he does.”