As a New Orleans Saints fan, your feelings about the upcoming 2024 season might mix frustration and cautious hope. The post-Sean Payton and Drew Brees era hasn’t lived up to expectations, with the Saints missing the postseason since 2020—the last time the future Hall of Fame quarterback was under center. The playoff drought was supposed to end last season, especially with the Saints being gifted one of the easiest schedules in NFL history. Instead, the team struggled to a 9-8 finish, leaving many to wonder if this was the final blow to the Dennis Allen era.
If you’re tired of the mediocrity that has plagued the Saints recently, you might be secretly hoping for a reset to restore the team’s once-golden reputation. However, if you’re clinging to the memories of when the Saints were perennial playoff contenders, you probably dread what could unfold after reading today’s post. To kick off our coverage of the 2024 season, we begin a two-part series exploring the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Saints. Today, we’ll dive into the potential nightmares that could spell disaster for New Orleans this year.
Losing the Week 1 Opener to Carolina
The Saints’ 2024 season starts with a high-stakes home opener against the Carolina Panthers. This game isn’t just about starting the season on the right foot; it’s about setting the tone for what’s expected to be a pivotal year. A loss to Carolina in Week 1 could unravel a series of negative events, casting a shadow over the entire season. Under the guidance of their new head coach, Dave Canales, the Panthers are looking to revitalize the career of their 2023 first-round pick, quarterback Bryce Young. Canales, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, played a key role in the resurgence of another former number-one overall pick, Baker Mayfield. If he can work similar magic with Young, a Carolina victory in the Superdome would not only give the Panthers a confidence boost but also send the Saints fan base into a state of panic.
The pressure is palpable for the Saints organization.
A loss to a division rival right out of the gate would only intensify the scrutiny and criticism that have been mounting since the end of the Sean Payton and Drew Brees era. With fans already on edge after failing to make the playoffs since 2020, a defeat to Carolina could ignite calls for drastic changes, questioning whether the current leadership and roster can steer the team back to its winning ways. In a worst-case scenario, a Week 1 loss could be the first crack in a foundation that has struggled to hold firm in recent years, setting the stage for another disappointing season.
Related: Saints’ 2024 Schedule: A path to the playoffs requires early focus and seizing opportunities.
Drastically Falling Behind During the Brutal Stretch that Awaits
Should the Saints secure a win against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, they will face a daunting four-game gauntlet that could define their entire season. This brutal stretch features a lineup of teams with legitimate playoff and Super Bowl aspirations, threatening to leave New Orleans scrambling to keep pace. It all begins on the road at AT&T Stadium, where the Saints will face off against the Dallas Cowboys—a team loaded with talent and aiming for a deep playoff run. The following week doesn’t offer any relief, as the Saints return to the Caesars Superdome to host the Philadelphia Eagles. This team has consistently been a top contender in the NFC.
The pressure only ramps up as the Saints gear up for their first encounter of the season with their most hated rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, in what’s sure to be an intense and emotionally charged matchup. The Falcons have significantly upgraded their roster, particularly at quarterback, wide receiver, and in the secondary, making them a formidable opponent. But even after facing three of the NFC’s top teams, the Saints’ challenges don’t end there. In Week 5, they face the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, marking their first AFC matchup of the year.
For the Saints to emerge from this brutal five-game start with a sense of hope, the best-case scenario would be securing a 2-3 record. Anything less could see New Orleans quickly fall behind in the NFC playoff race, putting enormous pressure on the team to dig themselves out of an early-season hole. A worst-case scenario is the Saints being overwhelmed by this stretch, struggling to find their footing, and potentially setting the stage for another season of unfulfilled expectations and frustration. Falling drastically behind early could dampen playoff hopes and shake the locker room’s confidence, leaving fans questioning whether the Saints can reclaim their former glory.
Offensive Struggles Continue Under Klint Kubiak as the OC
Despite hiring a new offensive coordinator, the Saints offense could continue to sputter, failing to find consistency and rhythm throughout the 2024 season. The hopes of revitalizing the offense under Klint Kubiak could fall flat, leading to more frustration and disappointment. Quarterback play could become a significant issue, with Derek Carr struggling to connect with his receivers or facing continuous pressure from a shaky offensive line.
If Carr cannot elevate the offense, the team may rotate quarterbacks, creating instability in the most crucial position. Key playmakers like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara could fail to make the anticipated impact due to ineffective play-calling or persistent injuries. The lack of offensive firepower would put more strain on the defense, leading to longer stretches on the field and, eventually, fatigue.
In this scenario, the Saints’ inability to put up points would result in more close losses and blown leads, repeating the frustrations of past seasons. The New Orleans fan base might start questioning whether the team needs a complete overhaul, not just at the coaching level but also in terms of roster composition and offensive philosophy. The offensive struggles would symbolize a broader issue within the franchise, leaving the Saints mired in mediocrity and far from the powerhouse they once were.
Dennis Allen Dismissed Early
Could the New Orleans Saints pull the plug on head coach Dennis Allen during the 2024 season? If that were to happen, it would validate Colin Cowherd’s bold prediction that Allen would be the first head coach fired this year. Traditionally, the Saints have not been a franchise known for making mid-season coaching changes, preferring to let coaches finish their tenures even when the season appears spiraling. However, the NFL is a league where fans should always expect the unexpected, and in the high-stakes environment surrounding the Saints, anything is possible.
If Allen were to be dismissed early, it would signal the end of his time as head coach and likely usher in a period of significant transition for the franchise. An early dismissal might prompt the Saints to start planning for the future, possibly leading to trading away key impact players to accumulate valuable draft picks. This shift would mark a clear end to the post-Sean Payton and Drew Brees era and an admission that the current approach has not panned out as hoped. While Allen has garnered considerable respect within the organization, potentially giving him a longer leash, the pressure to return to playoff contention could override past loyalties. An early dismissal could set off a chain reaction, pushing the team toward a rebuild and a new chapter in Saints history, leaving fans wondering what direction the team will head next.
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