Things have been pretty bumpy for the New Orleans Saints since Dennis Allen took over as head coach. In his first two seasons, the team was a combined 16-18, missing the postseason in both years. He entered year three, this season, already on the hot seat in the eyes of fans and analysts, and he hasn’t done anything to change that.
The Saints are currently 2-6 after eight games, and they’re entering Week 9 on a six-game losing streak. Many fans are in disbelief that Allen is still the coach, considering how many lows the team has had this season. From blown leads to blowout losses, it’s been an ugly year for New Orleans.
However, nothing more accurately captures how bad things are than New Orleans’ defensive stats. Entering Week 9, the Saints are dead last in the NFL, allowing 392.8 yards per game.
The defense allows 249.1 passing yards per game, 28th in the NFL, and 143.6 rushing yards per game, also 28th in the league. The unit is also giving up 25.8 points a game, which ranks New Orleans 25th.
Losing games is one thing for a Dennis Allen coached team, but losing games with an abysmal defense is unacceptable, and it doesn’t get any lower than that.
Saints’ league-worst defense is proof it should be over for Dennis Allen
Critiques of Allen as a head coach have always been separate from his evaluation as a defensive coordinator/ defensive play caller. Even the toughest of Allen critics would admit he typically has the Saints defense playing at quality level; that’s one of the few things New Orleans has been able to rely on in recent years.
Unfortunately, even the defense is bad now, and there’s no real explanation why. While the unit has dealt with injuries, they haven’t been challenged by health nearly as much as the offense has, to the point where it’s a valid excuse. The defense just hasn’t been playing good.
The defensive line gets pushed off the line of scrimmage, no one is consistently tackling well, and the secondary repeatedly gives up big plays at the wrong time. For whatever reason, a perennially good unit, that’s still loaded with experience and talent, has fallen apart under Dennis Allen’s leadership.
Add in the fact New Orleans isn’t winning games, and this is the clear low point of Allen’s tenure. If he can’t coach the team well or lead a good defense, keeping him around becomes pretty indefensible.