NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints have been struggling lately, having experienced a noticeable decline over the past month. A sequence of injuries has compounded the issue, leading to a disappointing four-game losing streak. This situation has compelled the coaching staff to reassess multiple aspects of the team’s performance.
“Everyone needs to reflect on their role—coaches and players alike— to ensure we’re doing whatever it takes to turn this around,” remarked Saints coach Dennis Allen. “At the moment, we are not achieving the standards we set for ourselves.”
Initially, the Saints started the season on a high note with impressive victories against Carolina and Dallas. However, in retrospect, those wins have lost some of their luster. The Panthers currently sit at 1-5, suffering significant defeats in all of their losses, while the Cowboys are a mediocre 3-3 and faced a particularly harsh 47-9 loss to Detroit recently.
In stark contrast, the Saints’ latest games have been painfully lopsided, with losses of 13 points to Kansas City and a staggering 24 points to Tampa Bay. The question remains whether this is merely a temporary slump or the beginning of yet another disappointing season without playoff contention. If it turns out to be the latter, it could bring significant consequences for Allen, who has a record of 18-22 since taking over as head coach, following Sean Payton’s brief retirement.
“We are currently navigating through injuries, and we need to push past this rough spot while hoping to get some players back on the field,” Allen commented. “Despite this, I have complete faith that our team will remain united.”
One area where the Saints excelled was in special teams during the game against the Buccaneers, highlighted by Rashid Shaheed’s remarkable 54-yard punt return for a touchdown. Rookie punter Matthew Hayball made significant contributions as well, placing the ball effectively, keeping the Buccaneers pinned at or inside their 10-yard line on three occasions. Additionally, five of Tampa Bay’s six kickoff returns were held to within the 30-yard line, a notable achievement given the new kickoff rules established this season.
However, the defense has clearly faced troubles, as players need to improve on technique, including filling crucial gaps, taking advantageous angles, and executing solid tackles. Allen was particularly critical of the Saints’ tackling performance against the Buccaneers, labeling it as “atrocious,” noting that defenders often failed to bring down opponents, resulting in big plays.
A glaring example was Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin’s 55-yard touchdown, where three defenders missed a tackle, and running back Bucky Irving’s 31-yard run in the fourth quarter showcased similar issues. “We must improve our tackling,” Allen asserted. “That area has historically been reliable for us, but currently, it isn’t.” He emphasized the urgency to resolve these problems quickly.
On a brighter note, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler demonstrated potential during his first NFL start, showing poise and maturity despite playing behind an injured offensive line and without the team’s star receiver, Chris Olave. Filling in for an injured Derek Carr, Rattler completed 22 of 40 passes for 243 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions—numbers that may not leap off the page but were commendable given the difficult circumstances.
“He displayed some strong traits,” Allen noted, confirming that Rattler will get the start again in the upcoming match. “He remained composed, effectively navigated through his options, and displayed good footwork.”
Conversely, Allen’s defense is underperforming relative to its historical standards. Currently, they rank among the league’s worst, allowing an average of 395.8 yards per game. “We are not executing defensively as we should,” Allen admitted.
Injuries have also taken their toll, with Olave in the concussion protocol and safety Tyrann Mathieu dealing with a forearm problem. The team entered the last game missing several key players, including Carr, tight end Taysom Hill, center Erik McCoy, guard Cesar Ruiz, and guard Lucas Patrick. Olave’s recurrent concussions pose significant risk, and Allen stated that caution is paramount regarding his return.
A particularly concerning statistic is the 594 yards allowed against Tampa Bay, marking the second-highest total in the franchise’s history, surpassed only by the staggering 605 yards conceded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2004.
Looking ahead, the beleaguered Saints face a tight turnaround to prepare for their next game on Thursday night. This game will be significant as it marks Sean Payton’s return to the Superdome with his new team, the Denver Broncos, coinciding with the induction of former Saints quarterback Drew Brees into the Saints Hall of Fame.