Despite getting their teeth kicked in by the Los Angeles Rams for most of the night, the New Orleans Saints had a legitimate shot at making an unlikely comeback on Thursday night.
That is until Dennis Allen completely overthought the game’s most important sequence.
After the Saints cut the Rams’ lead to 30-22 with just under four minutes left, Allen made a very strange decision. Instead of kicking the ball deep to pin the Rams’ offense back, he opted for a low-percentage onside kick that effectively ended the game once Los Angeles recovered.
What are we doing here, folks? Why don’t we trust our players?
What in the world is New Orleans doing going on sides kick???
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) December 22, 2023
It’s kind of baffling to consider that a coach would actually want to lean on an onside kick — which is almost never recovered by the kicking team these days — instead of asking his defense to get a single stop. But maybe that’s why Allen is on the hot seat, and the Saints are in danger of missing the playoffs.
This was how Twitter reacted to the Saints' baffling onside kick
WHY DID DENNIS ALLEN TRY THE ONSIDE KICK THERE
— JaguarGator9 (@JaguarGator9NFL) December 22, 2023
Onside kick there? I guess Dennis has no confidence in his defense to get a 3 and out.
— Matt Moscona (@MattMoscona) December 22, 2023
That onside kick not really in DA's DNA.
Was he trying to be aggressive, or did he not trust his defense?
— 𝙺𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚗 (@KevinWashJr) December 22, 2023
The most unnecessary onside kick attempt of the decade. #FireDennisAllen
— E.J. Barrois ⚜️ (@SeventhWard) December 22, 2023
Dennis Allen has to be the dumbest coach in the league. You are down 8 points and you onside kick with 3:53 left. Then he’ll wonder why he’s fired after the season
— JP (@Jman5890) December 22, 2023
That onside kick was the worst thing I’ve ever seen. Leave the entire coaching staff in LA.
— Daniel Locke (@danieljlocke) December 22, 2023
It's very easy to know if a football coach knows what he's doing.
Dennis Allen onside kick there was proof they should find a new coach
— Bryson Stricker (@BryBryStrick) December 22, 2023
Why would you onside kick?! You have time! A field goal ends the game!
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) December 22, 2023
Whoever runs analytics for the New Orleans Saints needs to be fired with Dennis Allen and Carmichael.
Onside kick with 4 minutes left? 😭
— Gavin Carlson (@GavinCarlsonDB) December 22, 2023
