History hasn't been on the side of the New Orleans Saints too often during the franchise's existence. Their recent issues during the 2024 season aren't favoring their playoff outlook, either. Dennis Allen's seat only grows hotter.
Jeff Nowak was the first to uncover this unique statistic for the Saints. They've endured a three-game losing streak seven times since 2014.
New Orleans has not made the postseason in a season where they lost three games in a row in that span. Their consistent stretch of playoff appearances (2017-2020) did not include that sort of struggling streak.
Did the Saints have a 3-game losing streak:
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) October 8, 2024
- '24: Yes (?)
- '23: Yes (no playoffs)
- '22: Yes (no playoffs)
- '21: Yes (no playoffs)
- '20: No*
- '19: No*
- '18: No*
- '17: No*
- '16: Yes (no playoffs)
- '15: Yes (no playoffs)
- '14: Yes (no playoffs)
* = went to playoffs
Now, they've lost three games in a row to mostly sink a 2-0 start to the season. Allen noted that they got outreached and outplayed by Kansas City in Week 5.
DA: “Got outplayed. Got out coached”
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) October 8, 2024
During the 2023 season, the Saints did not win a game from November 12th through December 3rd.
In that span, they lost to the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, and Detroit Lions. New Orleans won four of their final five games following that skid, but it was simply too little - too late for them to earn a spot in the postseason or win the NFC South.
Dennis Allen entered the 2024 season as one of the top betting favorites to be the first coach fired during this season. The pressure was on for the veteran defensive play-caller.
He won't be the first to get canned, since the New York Jets just cut ties with Robert Saleh after their Week 5 loss. That being said, Allen's role as head coach has been a tenuous one over the past two seasons leading to 2024.
New Orleans has not seen the playoffs under Allen, and his lack of winning as the HC of the Las Vegas Raiders has followed him to his time in black and gold.
Allen is 18-21 in 39 games as the Saints head coach. His .347 career win percentage as a HC ranks 167th among 177 qualifiers in NFL history, according to John Sigler.
The Saints have to figure out their weaknesses rather quickly. An NFC South matchup with major standings implications is on deck, and a reunion with Sean Payton's Denver Broncos awaits in Week 7.
Regardless, history is not on Allen's side after New Orleans' recent struggles on the field.
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