The Saints are cooked, so now what?

Any last optimism that this New Orleans Saints team might still possess some grit has departed the building. This team has just demonstrated that the Saints are not one when up against a passably competent opponent.

This was another complete team defeat, with all the season’s sins rearing their heads once more. From offensive drives that started strong but eventually faltered to a defense that started the game by giving up a 94-yard touchdown drive and only got somewhat better after that, this was a complete team defeat.

Like this writer, you’ve probably had enough of Derek Carr’s confused expression on the sidelines while offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael attempts to encourage him and head coach Dennis Allen appears to be a clueless coach.

Following the team line of none of the players quitting on each other, it’s a noble message, but to what end? If the Saints aren’t a competitive team, then what does it matter if the team is playing for each other?

That might fly in Pee-Wee, but not in the NFL. If you aren’t winning games, playing for one another doesn’t matter much.

The true gut-punch is that this game reaffirmed all the concerns the team has had during the season, which, offensive futility aside, is if Allen’s defense can’t produce, what is he doing for anyone?

In an ideal environment, the head coach may manage all areas of the team chemistry.

The best-case scenario is when you have a head coach who is an expert on one side of the ball but not the other, and they fill that gap by finding someone else. The worst-case scenario is when you have someone who may be an expert on one side, but they are so overburdened that nothing works.

With Allen, the Saints definitely appear to be leaning toward the latter group. The defense, his side of the ball, is having its own problems while the offense is so bad that he undoubtedly feels compelled to step in.

Though the Los Angeles Rams game showed that it will take many miracles to go past even a kind home first round game if the Saints miraculously win the division, the New Orleans Saints are still mathematically alive for the playoffs.