Minnesota Vikings 28, New Orleans Saints 25
Q. What's the range of emotions like in this seesaw, back and forth game?
TYRANN MATHIEU: Yeah, I mean, you know, it was tough. I felt like we rolled a few ways within the game. Felt like we played hard enough to kind of give ourselves a chance at the end.
But you know, I think it always come down to a couple plays. You just want a couple plays back and you know if you have those plays back, the game usually can go in your favor.
But I thought we fought hard. I think there's a lot of positives that we could take away from it. It's just week 4 of like a 17-round bought. So we have a lot more football left. But yeah, it always comes down to a couple plays.
Q. The kicks, did those look good? Could you see from your vantage point?
TYRANN MATHIEU: Yeah, I always think it's good. I think that's part of it, believing in your teammates all the time. You know, whether things are going your way or whether they aren't, so you know, I thought he had enough leg.
Obviously when it hit the upright, I thought it still was good. You know it always sucks when you run out of plays, you don't have any left.
Q. What did you see on interception early? It was kind of a turning point for you guys early in the game.
TYRANN MATHIEU: Just reading the quarterback. You know, just got a good jump on it. And then just try to make a play.
I didn't think I played well that first series. And so you know, to come back and make that play for the team, you know, I think that's what it's all about. In the moment, felt like it meant a lot. Right now it means very little.
Q. What was your vantage point of the penalty that was called on you?
TYRANN MATHIEU: I don't think I touched him in his face. Yeah, I don't think I touched him. I know I didn't.
But, you know, the call was made. You've got to live with it. Even after that, I thought we continued to fight. You know, so I'll line up with this defense any day.
Q. Dennis said he feels like you all are close to getting this thing right. How do you feel about it?
TYRANN MATHIEU: We are. We are. I think we are close. Obviously with a lot of expectations for us coming into the season. Not even outside of our locker room; I think within, just looking across the locker room, there's a lot of great players on our team, and you know, it doesn't always start the way you hope, right.
And it's kind of, like, life sometimes. So we've got a little bit of adversity. And you know, I think we are going to see what we all are really made of. I think we have a lot of great plays in our room. We have a lot of good men on our team and so you've just got to chop wood and carry water. It takes what it takes sometimes. You have to put in more work sometimes and work harder.
So you know, like that's what we are looking at right now. I think being able to go back home next week and play in front of our fans, you know, that will be a breath of fresh air for us. I think that will give us a lot of energy and so just looking forward to taking it one game at a time.
All we have to do is win one game. You know, we could really get rolling. But it starts with just practice, one day at a time.
Q. We talked about Jefferson and how dangerous he can be. Is it a matter of in a game like that, eventually they are going to get theirs? Is that what happened?
TYRANN MATHIEU: To be honest, man, like I said earlier in the week, he's a great player. Especially in this league, you know, you can't really touch him, you just kind of let him run free sometimes.
But there's only a couple guys in the whole world that can cover them, and I think Marshon is one of them. I thought he battled hard all day. He fought all day long and so you know, if we were able to see these guys again, like it will be the same matchup. It will be 23 across from 18. So, you know, I'll choose my guy every time.
Q. The mindset right now, it's interesting what you're talking about this team with all the leadership of the veteran players, is there a fine line between not panicking, like you said, it's a long season but still having that sense of urgency to address some of the details?
TYRANN MATHIEU: Yeah, you know, I think with every loss, you know, I think the sense of urgency has to increase. You know, especially in practice, preparation. You know, once you get to the game, it's usually time to have fun. You have studied the opponent all week. You know what to expect.
But I think during the course of the week, it takes what it takes. You have to get your body, mind, even your spirit, right, like all these things have to be in a certain place for you to be able to go out there on Sunday, any game day, and really like give your best for your team.
So you know, listen, I thought we fought hard in every game that we've played in, and you know, sometimes the ball doesn't bounce your way. Sometimes the calls don't go your way, but the beautiful thing about this league is, you know, as long as you got another week to play, you should have at least somewhat of a smile on your face because you just have that extra chance.
Now, when you run out of chances to play, that's when you really should be concerned. But it's still early in the year. Like I said, every game comes down to a couple plays and I think that's a good perspective to have. Obviously you want to be able to make the most of it, you know, when you get that opportunity.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports