In a stunning debut, the New Orleans Saints commanded the field in their opening game against the Carolina Panthers, walking away with a decisive 47-10 victory. Head coach Dennis Allen, however, remains wary of the praise and accolades being thrown their way – both before and after the game.
Allen, clearly focused on keeping his team grounded and level-headed, emphasized the importance of tuning out the noise from outside voices. He urged his players to ignore the same pundits who were quick to write off the Saints prior to the season, reminding them that these very individuals are now singing their praises. According to Luke Johnson of NOLA.com, Allen stressed the need for his team to remain focused on the task at hand and to continue striving for improvement, especially as they face a formidable challenge in the Dallas Cowboys in the upcoming week.
“I told the team this today: There’s a lot of people outside the building that didn’t think we were capable of doing much,” Allen remarked. “Those same people are probably saying a lot of great things about you today that were saying a lot of negative things about you before yesterday’s game. So we try not to pay much attention to that, we’re trying to focus on what our job is, what we need to do, and how we get better.”
While the Saints undoubtedly made a statement in their dominant performance against the Panthers, it’s essential to remember that Carolina is a team in transition, coming off a lackluster 2-15 record from the previous season. With a new coach at the helm and a roster in need of bolstering, the Panthers presented a prime opportunity for New Orleans to flex their muscles. However, as Allen wisely points out, such victories are not always indicative of long-term success.
“Beating up on a team coming off a 2-15 season with a new coach and a roster that’s lacking talent across the board is a good way to feel good about yourself at the start of a season, but it’s not a great measuring stick for the long run,” Allen noted.
As the Saints bask in the afterglow of their impressive win, they must remain vigilant and focused on the challenges that lie ahead. With a tough matchup against the Cowboys looming on the horizon, Allen’s message of humility and determination will serve as a guiding light for the team as they navigate the highs and lows of the NFL season.