NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The New Orleans Saints have guaranteed their first losing season since 2016.
The Saints went 7-9 that year, the final of three straight losing seasons under then-coach Sean Payton. They rebounded to make the playoffs four straight years before falling just short in Week 18 last season.
While the Saints (4-9) have not been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, the best they can hope for this season is an 8-9 record.
Here’s where coach Dennis Allen’s first season went wrong:
Lack of killer instinct
The Saints outscored the Atlanta Falcons 17-4 in the fourth quarter of their season opener for a 27-26 win.