The Saints were the hottest team in the NFL to start the 2024 season, winning their first two games by a combined score of 91-29. However, since then, New Orleans is on a four-game losing streak, which includes two losses to division rivals, the Buccaneers and the Falcons.
On Thursday night, the Saints host the Broncos in an important game, as Sean Payton returns to New Orleans for the first time. While a win would help the team get back on track, a loss could be devastating for Allen’s future.
The Sporting News analyzes Allen’s job security ahead of “Thursday Night Football.”
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Is Dennis Allen on the hot seat?
Allen entered the season as a coach who seemed to need a big season to keep his job, as the Saints didn’t make the playoffs in either of his first two seasons as head coach. Allen, who spent seven years as New Orleans’ defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2021, took over for Sean Payton after Payton stepped away from the team following the 2021 season.
While Payton was head coach, the Saints made the playoffs nine times in 15 seasons, so there is an expectation that the team should make the postseason frequently. Therefore, Allen likely needs to make the playoffs to keep his job beyond this year.
Dennis Allen coaching record
| Year | Team | Record | Winning percentage |
| 2012 | Raiders | 4-12 | .250 |
| 2013 | Raiders | 4-12 | .250 |
| 2014 | Raiders | 0-4 | .000 |
| 2022 | Saints | 7-10 | .412 |
| 2023 | Saints | 9-8 | .529 |
| 2024 | Saints | 2-4 | .333 |
Allen is in his second stint as a head coach, as he previously coached the Raiders for parts of three seasons. However, he had very little success in Oakland, going 8-28 as a had coach, which led to him being fired midway through his third season.
Allen’s second head coach tenure has been better than his first, but he still has yet make the playoffs as a head coach. In 76 total games as a head coach, Allen is 26-50 with a .342 winning percentage and just one winning season in four full and two partial season.
So far, Allen hasn’t proved that he can lead a playoff-caliber team.
NFC South standings
| Team | Record | Divisional record |
| Falcons | 4-2 | 3-0 |
| Buccaneers | 4-2 | 1-1 |
| Saints | 2-4 | 1-2 |
| Panthers | 1-5 | 0-2 |
Just six weeks into the season, the Saints are already in a hole in the NFC South. New Orleans lost to both the Falcons and Buccaneers within the last three weeks, which essentially dampened the team’s hot start. Atlanta, meanwhile, is undefeated in the division with wins over every other team, and the Buccaneers lone division loss thus far is to Atlanta.
For Allen to keep his job, the Saints need to get back to winning games. New Orleans hosts the Broncos in Payton’s return to New Orleans on Thursday night, then play the Chargers and Panthers. The Saints have two more games against the Falcons and Buccaneers this year, as they play Atlanta on November 10 and close the season in Tampa Bay.
