Saints coach fired weeks after being blown out by Broncos

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One day after suffering a “humbling” loss to the Carolina Panthers, the New Orleans Saints have fired head coach Dennis Allen. 

The Saints have lost seven straight games after opening the season 2-0. The team has battled numerous injuries, including starting quarterback Derek Carr missing several weeks. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport first reported Allen’s firing. The organization confirmed the news on its website. 

Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi will take over as the interim head coach. Allen was 18-25 overall in two-plus seasons as New Orleans’ head coach. The Saints started the year as one of the hottest teams in the league but have fallen off as injuries plagued their roster. Sunday’s game was evidence enough of that, as the Saints opened the season with a 47-10 thrashing of Carolina in New Orleans. Now, not even two months later, Allen is fired as the Saints look for their next coach.

Bryce Young had one of the most efficient games of his career, completing 16 of 26 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown in the win. Chuba Hubbard scored two touchdowns in the 23-22 victory. 

While Young did not score the game-winning touchdown, he did what he needed to for Carolina to find the end zone.

“That’s all you can ask for, a chance to take the lead,” Young said after the win. “That’s what we play for, that’s what we work for … we all leaned on each other and played for each other … it was a great team effort.”

Head coach Dave Canales commended Young’s performance in the win. He said Young’s ability to step up in a big moment at the end of the game was crucial to Carolina’s win. He did not make a decision on the starting quarterback role for next week’s game.