Just a couple weeks ago, fans in the Superdome were booing quarterback Derek Carr and some disgruntled spectators wore “Fire Dennis Allen” T-shirts to express their dissatisfaction with the New Orleans Saints' second-year coach. After two straight victories, the critics have quieted down — at least for the moment. The Saints (7-7) are back at .500, and they control their playoff destiny with three games left.
During each of Alvin Kamara's first four NFL seasons, the New Orleans Saints were a playoff team and even the NFC's top playoff seed during the dynamic running back's second year on the club. The Saints (5-6) missed a chance to take control of the NFC South when they lost to Atlanta on Sunday and enter Week 13 plagued by numerous injuries and lingering red zone issues that are sinking their season. “We don’t have an identity as a team,” Kamara said.
The New Orleans Saints spent time during their bye week working on their red zone offense. The Saints managed to get inside the Falcons 40 on eight possessions, but those resulted in just five field goals, two turnovers and a missed field goal during a 24-15 loss. “We had our opportunities,” said Saints coach Dennis Allen after his team fell to 5-6.
First place in the mediocre NFC South, the NFL's only division to lack a team with a winning record, will be on the line when New Orleans visits Atlanta on Sunday. The Saints (5-5) can strengthen their hold on first place by beating the Falcons (4-6). Atlanta has a three-game losing streak, leaving coach Arthur Smith surprised but grateful his team remains in contention in the weak division.
The Atlanta Falcons will try to snap a three-game losing streak and pull even with New Orleans in the weak NFC South when the teams meet for the first time this season.