Every Thursday right here you can read Inside the Dome, where we’ll get into a different topic on the Saints/the NFL as a whole, break down the Black and Gold, and talk about where things stand in the shield. In this week’s edition, things have hit rock bottom in New Orleans following a beatdown at home to Tampa Bay:
To the surprise of many, Derek Carr suited up for the Saints on Sunday despite a shoulder injury that was initially described as “week to week”. Unfortunately for New Orleans, Carr was unable to get the Saints in the end zone during a 26-9 drubbing at the hands of the Buccaneers.
Things seem to be as bad as they have been in the post-Sean Payton era for the Saints. You were able to excuse a lot of the issues last season due to the fact that New Orleans did not have a quarterback, but Dennis Allen got the guy he wanted this offseason in Carr.
Carr has not fixed the issues on offense for the Saints. It’s not a talent issue. With the return of Alvin Kamara, the weapons for the Saints could stack as one of the better groups in the league. But Pete Carmichael’s offense still looks completely anemic.
Dennis Allen was quick after the Tampa Bay game to say the Saints would not be making any changes, much to the dismay of Saints fans. Even though he has the support of Allen, Carmichael has to be the one to shoulder much of the blame for the issues the Saints are having.
Fixing this offense feels like a lost cause right now. Can things turn around, or will it be another lost season in New Orleans?
Headed into this week, the Saints have a very winnable game against a team that is going through some brutal offensive struggles of their own in the New England Patriots. The Patriots are also dealing with a ton of injuries on their defense to some of their best players.
Ultimately though, in a coaching matchup between Dennis Allen and Bill Belichick that will take place in New England, I am inclined to think New England comes out on top.
Prediction: Patriots 20, Saints 14
