The New Orleans Saints didn't get blown out 63-21 like the Los Angeles Chargers the week before, but fans are still hoping a subpar performance on Thursday Night Football is enough to produce the same result: The firing of a head coach.
The Chargers axed Brandon Staley after their loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Could Dennis Allen meet the same fate after his team lost to the Los Angeles Rams?
The first three quarters made it feel like Allen's job could be in serious jeopardy. However, New Orleans showed fight down the stretch. After falling behind 30-7 early in the fourth quarter, they scored two touchdowns and a two-point conversion to make it a one-possession game with just under four minutes remaining.
It was too little, too late for the Saints. The Rams ran out the clock and notched the more-comfortable-than-the-scoreline-suggests 30-22 victory, in part because Allen decided to prematurely go for an onside kick after pulling within eight.
Saints fans want him fired.
Saints fans call for Dennis Allen's job after TNF disaster class
No one on earth though it would be a good idea to onside kick that ball besides Dennis Allen. Please get him out of this organization immediately.
— Da Boot (@DaBootTragedies) December 22, 2023
Dennis Allen's sAints are now 1-13 against teams with .500 or better records when they play them pic.twitter.com/LMmhqxUPJG
— Bob Rose (@bobbyr2613) December 22, 2023
If the #Saints organization continues to go down this road with Dennis Allen. Fans are going to tune out. You cannot look at this coaching staff and believe this is the best you can do.
— TJAY Jones (@tjayjones8) December 22, 2023
Not even surprised. Dennis Allen vs. Sean McVay is as big of a coaching mismatch as it gets.
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) December 22, 2023
Saints gotta fire Dennis Allen after the game. pic.twitter.com/Oq4LNNwsb4
— The Dogfather (@ReidG1010) December 22, 2023
Saints need to fire EVERYONE!! pic.twitter.com/Zi27MM09PQ
— SPCJ2021 (@spcj2021) December 22, 2023
Dennis Allen should just go home man don’t even let the Saints fire you be a man and take matters in your own hands
— Maybe: Jacoby (@Getthebagcoach) December 22, 2023
Tonight is the night where the Saints fire Dennis Allen.
— Cruz Oxenreider (@TheRealCruzOx) December 22, 2023
Hope the Rams win by 30 and we finally fire this clown.
Fire Dennis Allen, fire everyone
— Barstool LSU (@LSUBarstool) December 22, 2023
Cut Derek Carr
Do whatever it takes to make this happen ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kB2NjM7Q1G
The problem for Saints fans who want Allen left in Los Angeles is that New Orleans is still in the running for the NFC South. The loss to the Rams was a setback but they finish the season with games against the Buccaneers and Falcons. Victories could get them into the playoffs.
It's just hard to predict wins in those games when Allen so consistently mismanages games and quarterback Derek Carr appears to willing to give the ball to the other team.
Fans are tired of watching Alvin Kamara toil away with statlines like he had on Thursday night: nine carries for 19 yards and five catches for 16 yards.
Under most circumstances, a second-year head coach would deserve more time, especially with a playoff berth still on the table. However, the Saints should be running away with the NFC South. Instead they're handing lifelines to the Bucs and Falcons. Allen was 8-28 as the head coach of the Raiders. He's now in his fifth year as a head coach and he still hasn't figured it out.
He's got to go, and Friday is as good a time as any.