Saints Must 'Let The Good Times Roll' In The Regular-Season Finale Against The Falcons

It's the regular-season finale and it's time for Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael to unleash the playbook on the Atlanta Falcons.

The New Orleans Saints are at home against their hated division rival, Atlanta Falcons. Each team has a shot at the playoffs giving the NFL and Fox Sports executives plenty to drool over.  

Sunday's game will be the either one or both teams' season finale — but, it would be great to keep letting the good times roll next weekend hosting the NFC Wild Card game at Caesars Superdome.  

It's time for Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael to unleash their playbooks upon the Falcons and give the Who Dat Nation a great game.   More Rashid Shaheed.  More Chris Olave.  More Taysom Hill.  More Jimmy Graham, Please!!!

Nov 3, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) dunks the ball over the goal post after a touchdown against the New York Jets during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

SAINTS, FANS ARE SAYING THEIR PRAYERS

Besides the many who attended Saturday's mass, went to confessional, or said several Hail Mary's, you have to wonder about the "what ifs" of this talented New Orleans team.   

On Sunday afternoon, will they be focused on fighting for a playoff berth, or in the back of their minds hoping for Carolina could pull off a New Year's miracle.

Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

SAINTS CHANGES  AHEAD?

• Mickey Loomis and Dennis Allen rolled the dice in offering Derek Carr a $150M contract loaded with guarantees.  Will the deal work and pay off Sunday, playoffs,...? 
• Should New Orleans lose or fail to win the NFC South, the season could spell the end of seeing several players in the Black and Gold. 
• Early rumors are swirling about the status of Michael Thomas, Jimmy Graham, Jameis Winston, Marcus Maye, and Marshon Lattimore are a few prominent names that may become released, traded, or allowed to walk in free agency during the offseason. 
• Would Cam Jordan return after a career-low in sacks since his rookie season of 1?  New Orleans need a change in their pass rush for 2024-25.
• It's unlikely for New Orleans to jettison Dennis Allen as its head coach. However, it will be incumbent on Allen to make fundamental changes to his coaching staff, especially on offense — or maybe not.  Attempting to figure out the mindset of the New Orleans Saints brass and coaching staff is always a crap shoot, at best.  Still, a cultural shift must occur for the team to progress.
• If the Saints are wondering if a young quarterback could make a difference, they should look at our Gulf Coast partners in the AFC, the Houston Texans.  Stroud is a difference maker.

Jan 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) reacts after sacking the quarterback against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Nevertheless, the Saints fans need to see the team hang a win and a winning record to finish a tough season. Yes, a playoff berth would be the icing on the cake, but let's be logical. Ending the season strong would seem more likely...but it's New Orleans. Anything's possible.  

Beat the Dirty Birds! Cam needs to stack more sacks in the Dome! And let's see Jimmy Graham dunk one last time!

Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler in 2024! 

We shall see.

BREAKING: Alvin Kamara, Juwan Johnson Injury Status For Saints-Falcons Game, 1/7