The opportunity got laid out in front of the New Orleans Saints and head coach Dennis Allen in Inglewood: Win their third in a row and take back sole control of the NFC South.
Instead, the Saints got behind significantly against the Los Angeles Rams. Even a blocked punt, a late touchdown, and then a two-point try to cut the lead to eight wasn’t enough for Allen and company in the 30-22 loss.
And the effort wasn’t enough to prevent Allen’s seat from lowering in temperature.
Calls Grow for Dennis Allen’s Firing
Allen and the Saints dropped to 7-8 in this critical Thursday night game featuring late-season playoff implications. Once again, New Orleans is left staring up at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South race.
Allen’s coaching baffled several fans who watched the Saints fall apart in L.A. For starters, Allen wasted all of his timeouts before the final four minutes of the game.
Furthermore, even with plenty of time left at 3:53, Allen opted for the onside kick, which perplexed NFL Network personality Rich Eisen.
What in the world is New Orleans doing going on sides kick???
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) December 22, 2023
Even earlier, fellow NFL Network personality Brian Baldinger was confused at another Allen/Saints decision — a draw play on a 3rd-and-20.
.@Saints 3rd & 20. Draw? Are you sure you are being aggressive? SMH. #BaldysBreakdowns
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 22, 2023
Fans now believe that “Who Dat” nation has immediately grown tired of the second-year head coach.
“If the Saints organization continues to go down this road with Dennis Allen, fans are going to tune out. You cannot look at this coaching staff and believe this is the best you can do,” said New Orleans analyst Tjay Jones of WGLI on X (formerly known as Twitter).
ESPN Baton Rouge analyst Matt Moscona is a believer the candle has burned out on the Allen era.
Dennis Allen
Derek Carr pic.twitter.com/6UD7um49Db
— Matt Moscona (@MattMoscona) December 22, 2023
Rams Further Damage Allen’s Reputation as a Defensive Coach
Worse for Allen, he got exposed in his area of defensive expertise against a younger Rams team. He and his unit were shredded by L.A.’s young talent.
Rookie Puka Nacua found plenty of space and torched the Saints for nine catches, 164 yards, and a touchdown.
Stafford and Nacua. Lamb and tuna fish. Perfect combinations all around.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 22, 2023
He even caught this lob with two New Orleans defenders in close proximity.
Name this man Rookie of the Year right now. pic.twitter.com/fV3FAl7snD
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 22, 2023
Meanwhile, Rams’ second-year RB Kyren Williams cut the Saints (literally) with this cut to the end zone — which showed bad pursuit angles.
what a cut by Kyren Williams pic.twitter.com/KkANdiy1YE
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 22, 2023
Williams ended with 104 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Allen’s unit watched the Rams run 67 plays, tally 458 total yards, and become the second team during the month of December to drop 30 or more on the Saints.
Allen Reacts To Taking TNF Defeat
“Defensively, I thought they got after us pretty good,” Allen began postgame. “We didn’t get enough pressure on the quarterback and, even when we did, you’ve got to give those guys credit. I thought they played outstanding on offense.”
Allen was well aware that this trip to L.A. was not going to be an easy breeze.
“I kind of knew going into this game that it was going to be a challenge,” Allen said. “I knew Matthew Stafford was playing really good.”
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Allen’s attitude with New Orleans was to play an aggressive style — hence the onside-kick decision. Overall, though, the Southern California trip became a missed opportunity to reclaim the division lead.
“I don’t think we played the way we needed to play either. We certainly have to be better, and I’ve got to do a better job with those guys,” Allen acknowledged.
Examining Allen’s Record and Saints’ NFC South Chances
Allen has two games left to prove he’s the guy capable of righting the Saints’ ship in the post-Sean Payton/Drew Brees era.
However, Allen now holds a 22-46 record as a head coach. Furthermore, he had an opportunity to earn his most wins in a season on TNF, as he’s never won past seven games in a single year.
Allen’s now still stuck at seven, with his most critical games on deck.
The Bucs and Falcons remain on the Saints’ schedule, and both are still very much alive in the postseason and NFC South race.
The magic number is officially nine for Allen and New Orleans. Nine wins can offer them their best chance of playing during the playoffs. Back-to-back losses, however, could signify a major coaching change on Black Monday in the NFL on Jan. 8.
Allen insists his team is still “in this thing” as he told reporters before walking off the podium. His seat, however, isn’t dropping in temperature during a cold month of the year.
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