The New Orleans Saints played a hell of a game in Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need their lord, savior, and head coach Sean Payton.
Payton sat out of Week 15’s game due to COVID-19, but his fingerprints were all over NOLA’s win.
Dennis Allen proved he was more than capable of assuming head coach responsibilities, and should another NFL team try to poach him, the Saints can sleep well knowing they have Sean Payton on the sidelines.
There’s no clear timeline as to when Payton will return, though. Allen gave a very brief update on Payton’s condition on Wednesday:
Dennis Allen said Sean Payton is doing better, expect him back sooner rather than later.
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) December 22, 2021
New Orleans Saints HC Sean Payton still questionable to return in Week 16
Despite not being physically present for the Saints’ victory, Payton showed his support on social media. In a tweet totally unlike Payton’s persona, the Saints coach wrote “YES!” in all capital letters with multiple s’s and not one but two exclamation marks.
Payton has looked crabby for the better part of the year (who can blame him), but Sunday’s victory certainly boosted his spirits.
The Saints defended Payton’s honor and record, as this was the fourth straight time New Orleans beat the Bucs in regular season.
Payton will expect more of the same from his team in Week 16 when the Saints play the Miami Dolphins. The 7-7 Saints currently sit on the bubble of the NFC playoff picture, and obviously they want to win every game possible.
The Dolphins have been known for their cover-zero blitzes, which would put much more pressure on Taysom Hill — and Hill has enough trouble throwing the ball as it is.
If Sean Payton isn’t ready to go come game time, NOLA can still trust Dennis Allen to defend against Miami’s schemes and lead the team to their eighth win.