Vitt defends Brees, says Saints still have hope

METAIRIE, La. (AP) - Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt scoffs at the idea that Drew Brees' recent and uncharacteristic interception epidemic is to blame for New Orleans' fading playoff hopes.

Vitt doesn't want the Saints' franchise quarterback to change a thing.

Vitt says great quarterbacks have the courage to attempt great things and that sometimes it goes wrong, but he wants Brees to forget that game and move on to preparing for the New York Giants next week.

Brees threw five interceptions in the Saints' 23-13 loss to Atlanta, giving him seven interceptions in the past two games. The Saints dropped to 5-7.

Vitt says his players can't lose hope yet. He notes he was an assistant on past playoff teams that finished 9-7 in Seattle and 8-8 in St. Louis.