NFL Hot Seat: 5 Coaches who must win in Week 15
By Tyler Brooke
Even though Sean Payton was able to help the New Orleans Saints win a Super Bowl back in 2009, it’s starting to look more and more like the two sides will be parting ways after the 2016 season.
After making the playoffs the three seasons after their Super Bowl victory, the Saints haven’t made the postseason since 2013. Since the start of the 2014 season, the Saints have gone just 19-26 and have consistently had one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
Payton has had to rely on Drew Brees and a potent passing attack to carry the Saints for years, but that’s no longer getting the job done. While the Saints rank near the top of the league in offense, they are giving up the third-most points per game with 27 per contest.
This week, Payton’s team will have to take on the Arizona Cardinals. Although the Cardinals are having an off year, they still have one of the most dominant playmakers in the league in David Johnson. If they can’t contain him, then this game could be over early.
A loss to Arizona would give the Saints at least nine for the third straight year, and that’s simply not good enough for Payton to keep his job.