NEW ORLEANS — It has been many years since the New Orleans Saints had home games characterized by large swaths of vacant seats and disappointed fans hiding their faces with brown paper bags in the Superdome. However, there are growing concerns that these troubling times may be on the horizon once again.
The Saints are currently on a five-game losing streak, with their last two defeats coming at home by margins greater than 20 points. Following a 33-10 defeat to the Denver Broncos, running back Alvin Kamara expressed his disappointment, noting how shocked he was to see the stadium emptying out during the game. “I’ve been here eight years and I’ve never seen the dome clear out like that,” he remarked, adding that he understands why fans might feel compelled to leave early.
Head coach Dennis Allen addressed the situation, indicating that there are numerous factors contributing to the team’s decline, especially after starting the season with two significant victories. A significant number of injuries sustained since Week 3 have significantly impacted the team’s offensive performance. “It’s extremely frustrating because I just feel like the first two weeks of the season, man, we were a really good football team,” Allen said. He emphasized the impact of losing key players as a major hurdle for the team’s success.
Several crucial players are currently sidelined, including offensive captains: quarterback Derek Carr (oblique), center Erik McCoy (groin), and tight end Taysom Hill (ribs). Right guard Cesar Ruiz has also been out since Week 3, and the team’s top two wide receivers, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, were unavailable for the game against the Broncos. Allen referred to these players as “key cogs in our operation,” highlighting the difficult situation faced by the team.
Kamara’s candid remarks struck a chord with his coach, who acknowledged the validity of his frustrations. Allen noted the unsettling reality of the team’s underperformance and encouraged players to take some time off before their next game in order to regroup. Recently, the team’s depth has been severely tested as they faced three losses within an 11-day span due to injuries.
The toll of continuous losses can weigh heavily on a team, and Kamara pointed out that the stakes extend beyond the field, as everyone’s job security is on the line. “Everybody’s jobs are on the line,” he stated, stressing the wider implications of the team’s struggles.
On the bright side, the Saints’ defense has showcased its ability to restrict opponents to field goals, even when they reached the New Orleans territory. Out of the six scoring drives by the Broncos, four culminated in field goals. However, the offensive unit has faced difficulties maintaining drives, primarily due to the absence of key players and the reliance on substitutes across various positions.
One silver lining was Cedric Wilson’s performance, as he emerged as the leading receiver against the Broncos, contributing six catches for 57 yards and the team’s only touchdown. Conversely, Spencer Rattler, who stepped in as quarterback, struggled significantly, failing to lead a touchdown drive. He was sacked six times and fumbled twice, surrendering one fumble for a 52-yard touchdown. Rattler later left the game with a hip injury and was replaced by Jake Haener.
When discussing potential options for the next game, Allen remained noncommittal about who would start if Carr is unavailable, though he acknowledged Rattler’s ability when given solid protection. “He’s got to learn to do a better job of protecting the ball in those situations,” Allen remarked regarding Rattler’s performance.
Injury concerns continue to plague the squad. Cornerback Paulson Adebo suffered a broken femur, rendering him unavailable for the remainder of the season, while Shaheed may also be sidelined due to his meniscus injury. Allen reported that Marshon Lattimore’s hamstring issue appeared mild. The team is hopeful that Olave will clear concussion protocols soon as he faces uncertainty arising from multiple concussions over the past seasons. The returns of Carr and Hill are anticipated in the coming weeks, though it remains unclear if Carr will be ready for the next matchup or if he may return by Week 9.
Historically, the Saints have not experienced a losing streak of over five games for 18 consecutive seasons, with their last similar situation occurring in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. They finished that season with a 3-13 record and a new coaching regime soon followed.
Looking ahead, the Saints will face the Los Angeles Chargers on October 27.