Saints won’t have Sean Payton for key week 15 matchup vs Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints already had everything stacked against them this weekend with their matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers up next on the schedule. Things took an even more difficult turn, unfortunately, as Sean Payton has been ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19.

Ian Rapoport reported the news on early Friday afternoon and mentioned that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would be taking over for Payton this weekend. What a time to be thrust into the head coaching role, right?

As Rapoport mentions in the tweet below, Allen is going to get plenty of head coaching interviews so this is the perfect opportunity for him to show that he’s up for the challenge.

The Saints won’t have Sean Payton this weekend.

The hits keep on coming for New Orleans this season. At this point, no one expects them to get past the first round of the playoffs, assuming they even qualify for the postseason. It’s been a rough season for the black and gold, who have started three different quarterbacks and their offense has been pitiful as a result.

The defense has played well though, thanks to Allen, and that’s the only way this team will be able to upset Tampa on Sunday is if the defense plays a near-perfect game. They’ve had Tom Brady’s number since he joined the division. Can they make him uncomfortable once again?

Even worse, this game is in primetime so the whole country could potentially watch another rough game for the Saints. If Tampa wins, they’ll clinch the NFC South division for the first time since 2007.

Hopefully Payton is okay and able to rejoin the team for week 16 vs the Dolphins. His health is the most important thing here.