Saints' Rob Ryan: Defense is 'just killing the team right now'

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said the defense is "just killing the team right now." The Saints allowed 63 points during their two losses to open the season, the second-highest total in the league.

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said on WWL Radio that the defense is "just killing the team right now," according to ESPN's Mike Triplett.

The Saints allowed 63 points during their two losses to open the season, the second-highest total in the league. The team's offense ranks second in the league with 58 points, and Ryan said the blame for the Saints' 0-2 start falls entirely on the defense.

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"These communication errors can't keep happening. Or we're just killing the team right now," Ryan said. "We know we're solely responsible for the two losses that we have. Our offense has been doing great, our special teams have been doing great."

"Every two-minute situation we've had this year, we've blown," Ryan said, pointing to the end of both halves in Week 1 at Atlanta and the final drive in Sunday's 26-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns. "We want to be a great defense, and great defenses always finish. And that's something you just have to point the finger at us, and we have to get corrected."

During Sunday's loss against the Cleveland Browns, head coach Sean Payton could be seen yelling at Ryan.

The Saints host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in their home-opener.

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- Paul Palladino