Richard Sherman goes nuclear at Saints players on TNF - 'They want to get their coach fired'

The New Orleans Saints defense is having another stinker , this time in the national spotlight.

Head coach Dennis Allen's unit allowed 367 yards in three quarters to the typically toothless Denver Broncos offense as New Orleans lost a fifth-straight game. Amazon Prime Video analyst and former First-team All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman offered a bold theory live on air: "It seems like they want to get their coach fired."

Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix guided an offense that entered the game producing just the 29th-most yards per game. However, a series of sloppy plays and missed tackles allowed Denver to run riot against a New Orleans defense possessing substantially more talent. Sherman was particularly disgusted when veteran Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu dropped an easy interception in the first half.

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"I'm confused, I'm vexed, I'm perplexed. I don't get it," Sheman admitted about th

e Saints defense. "They don't want to tackle, they don't want to make plays. These are good players. Tyrann Mathieu is a good player. Why [did he miss the] easiest interception of his life?"

Sherman continued and bemoaned the Saints' lack of effort: "I see guys not having effort to get to the ball carrier, to make tackles. I don't understand this. It seems like they want to get their coach fired, that's the effort they're playing with.

"Dennis Allen - you call a time-out so we can watch your quarterback take a knee. Do you want to torture these Saints fans? They're going to be waiting at his car after this game!"

Allen served as the Saints' defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2021 under current Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Following Payton's departure, he assumed the top job in New Orleans. The Saints failed to reach the playoffs in each of Allen's first two seasons as head coach. Including a three-year stint with the then-Oakland Raiders, he has a career record of 26-51.

The Saints defense ranked a respectable 13th in yards per game last year. This season? They rank dead last in the league, and it's not like New Orleans is bereft of talent.

The defensive line is anchored by Carl Granderson, former first-round pick Bryan Breesee, free-agent export Chase Young, and veteran Cameron Jordan. Demario Davis leads the linebacking admittedly missing rising star Pete Warner.

The secondary was supposed to be a strength: the unit includes cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo, while safety Tyrann Mathieu is a former two-time First-team All-Pro.

The Denver offense entered the week averaging 107.3 rushing yards per game, the 23rd most in the NFL. Against the Saints, the Broncos rushed for over 225 yards.