The New Orleans Saints are just days away from the start of the 2024 season. Entering year three of the Dennis Allen era and year two of the Derek Carr era, it is a year that feels like now or never for the team.
Allen’s first year of 7-10 was mostly excused due to a quarterback situation that even the most elite of coaches would not have won with. But entering year two, Allen got the quarterback he wanted and had the easiest schedule in the league in the worst division in football.
Despite those advantages, the Saints missed the playoffs once again while improving to a 9-8 record. To the joy of most Saints fans, Allen moved on from offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael this offseason and brought in Klint Kubiak.
But now, it feels like Allen is out of moves. If the team flops once again this season, there is nowhere for the blame to fall besides squarely on Allen’s head. It begins this Sunday at home against the worst team in the league in 2023, the Carolina Panthers.
New Panthers head coach Dave Canales will try to come into the dome and pull off a week one upset, a game that would probably feel like the beginning of the end if the Saints were to somehow lose.
It certainly doesn’t get any easier after Sunday, so New Orleans had better handle their business and get things going on the right foot in week one.
