- ...bridging the gap

PITTSBURGH -- The New Orleans Saints squeezed out a mighty win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but the action on the sideline captured much of the attention.

Saints coach Sean Payton was caught by Fox cameras yelling at defensive coordinator Rob Ryan after his defense was penalized for 12 men on the field before Le'Veon Bell's touchdown in the third quarter.

Despite their third heated exchange captured on camera this season and what Payton called "Sunday splash reports" speculating that their "feud" will end in offseason divorce, Payton praised Ryan after this season's best defensive performance keyed a 35-32 defeat of the Steelers at Heinz Field.

The win snapped a three-game losing skid as the 5-7 Saints are tied with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South with four regular-season games to play.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw five touchdowns and Ryan's defense intercepted Ben Roethlisberger twice to set up two scores.

However, the success didn't ease the tension on the sideline. While Payton was seen yelling at Ryan it was the first time Ryan was seen shouting back.

"He's been outstanding," Payton said of Ryan. "Yeah, I get upset when there's 12 men on the field…

"That's me. Pick somebody. Pick Greg McMahon (special teams coach). Pick (cornerback) Corey White. Pick the game. Pick (assistant head coach) Joe Vitt. That's just me being fired up. It's just more obvious when it's Rob because the camera is going to be on him more than it's going to be on Greg or a player.

"... That doesn't mean I'm looking for another defensive coach."

Payton went on to guarantee "I'll be upset again" with Ryan.

So what is it about Ryan that Payton respects after the 27th-ranked defense held Roethlisberger to a 76.4 passer rating on 32-of-58 passing with two touchdowns?

"His toughness and passion," Payton said. "He's there until the crickets are gone. It's hard when you're not winning in this league. I love what he's doing. Are there times where I get involved? Absolutely. I'm the head coach. But he's doing an outstanding job."

Linebacker Junior Galette is unaware of any bad blood between Payton and Ryan.

"I don't buy any feud," Gallette said. "No way. Since I've been here, Sean's always been like that."

Gallette said Payton chewed out former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams in similar fashion. Last season, Ryan was hailed for turning around a historically awful defense when he replaced Steve Spagnuolo whom Payton fired after the Saints surrendered 7,042 yards in 2012, setting a new single-season record.

"The way I feel as the captain, I know everybody loves Rob," Galette said. "He came in and turned around the worst defense in the history of football, not just the Saints. Credit to Rob. It's a competitive game. Emotions are running high."