Sad Sack Saints

Some facts that will hit you about as well as week-old Thanksgiving leftovers.

The New Orleans Saints ended the month of November with a thud in a dispirited 24-15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. It was a big loss for the Saints, who had a chance to take a firm hold of first place in the NFC South. New Orleans responded to that opportunity by turning in a listless performance. 

The Falcons were much more physical than the Saints on both sides of the ball. The Falcons played a (slightly) more crisp game in all phases. The Falcons were clearly more emotionally invested in what was at stake. Frankly, the Falcons looked like they WANTED to be there, while the Saints did not.

Simply put, New Orleans got taken behind the woodshed by a team that was mediocre at best. Again.

The Saints had five trips inside the Atlanta 25-yard line. They came away with only two field goals and turned the ball over twice. They've scored just three touchdowns in their last 32 possessions, with starting QB Derek Carr responsible for none of them.

Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) runs for a touchdown after intercepting a pass against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

This was the second time this season that the Saints failed to score a touchdown. It's the 16th time in 28 games under head coach Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael that the team has scored 20 points or fewer. The Saints have reached the end zone just once or less in 12 of those 28 contests.

A defense that was also considered elite at one time has crumbled into a mediocre unit. Atlanta ran over the Saints at will on Sunday, finishing with 228 yards on the ground and an embarrassing 5.6 per carry. Only one team has fewer than the meager 18 sacks the Saints have managed this season. Mobile quarterbacks have made the New Orleans defense look like pre-schoolers chasing a butterfly on the playground. 

Over their last six games, the Saints have allowed an average of nearly 19 points, 235 yards, and 58% third down percentage in the first half alone. Their secondary, the team's lone standout position, has come up with big plays consistently. However, poor tackling has also allowed mediocre receivers to pick up big plays in crucial situations. They've had major issues against athletic tight ends, with the coaching staff showing an inability to adjust. 

Dennis Allen's New Orleans Saints are 1-11 against teams with a .500 or better record when they play them. The Superdome, once an intimidating place for opponents, has seen New Orleans go just 6-6 there over the last two seasons. Allen and the Saints are a pathetic 3-6 against NFC South opponents, a division universally viewed as the worst in the NFL. 

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

It has been suggested that this team lacks an identity. They don't. It's a bad football team. Yet, one that still has a realistic chance at winning their division with only slightly better performances. We are past the point of looking at mathematical possibilities. This team has consistently blown golden opportunities that are literally laid out in front of them. It's clear who they are.

Division rival Carolina just fired their head coach, QB coach, and RB coach after less than a year on the job. Buffalo and Pittsburgh fired their offensive coordinators despite not having losing records at the time of the moves. The Raiders made a head coaching move just eight games into the year.

Moving on from Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael, whether now or after the year, doesn't guarantee success. New Orleans players are just as responsible for the team's shortcomings. We've also seen more than enough from this combination to know that this isn't the answer. 

It is time for a change in New Orleans.