The 2024 matchup that could define Dennis Allen's future with the Saints

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen has been in turmoil due to his performance as a head coach in the past few years. That makes the 2024 season a make-or-break year. The firing of Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator this offseason officially ended the Sean Payton regime. Now, this is Dennis Allen’s coaching staff and roster. If he can’t succeed, it may be time for him to go.

With that in mind, there is one game on the Saints’ schedule that stands alone as a massive game for Allen. The Saints are set to face Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos in New Orleans in a Week 7 primetime game. This is a must win for the team.

Saints vs. Broncos is a must-win for Dennis Allen

This game is going to be important in a couple of ways. The first is that this is a massive game for determining the Saints season. The Saints have a challenging start to the year, facing each divisional opponent once, then the Chiefs, the Eagles, and the Cowboys in the first six weeks. If New Orleans does struggle in that opening stretch, the game against Denver would be crucial to get them back on track.

There is also an emotional aspect to this game that will be prevalent. A primetime game against the former coach that brought the franchise its only Super Bowl will not only get the team going, but also the city. If the Saints fail to win, all of the negative emotion from the media and press will fall onto Dennis Allen’s shoulder; his future in New Orleans would look bleak.

Simply put, it’s already clear that the Week 7 game against the Denver Broncos will be a must-win game. The outcome of the game will not just change the outlook of the season, but could affect Allen’s job security. A win could put the Saints in a spot to compete and Allen in good graces, while a loss could prove fatal to both the team's success and Allen’s future.

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