NFL

Saints fire head coach Dennis Allen

Following an electric 2-0 start, many viewed the Saints as a contender, but in the NFL, things change — fast. New Orleans has dropped seven games straight, falling to last place in the subpar NFC South, making this a relatively easy decision for Gayle Benson and Mickey Loomis. Not every problem for the Saints is Allen’s fault, but his firing affords the franchise an opportunity to conduct a full rebuild. If a teardown occurs, firing Loomis would be an easy call, too.

Why a rebuild, you ask? The Saints have been towing the red line with the salary cap for years, dating back to the latter years of the Drew Brees era. It’s time for a reset. New Orleans is currently $77 million over the cap — an untenable number — for 2025. With a figure that high, a quick one-year retool is unlikely; this thing would take multiple seasons — but it would be in the best interest of the organization’s long-term health. Moving on from Allen is the correct first step. Let’s see if the Saints continue marching in that direction.

Grade: A-

Broncos sign EDGE Jonathon Cooper to four-year, $60 million contract extension

Cooper has been underrated for years, even dating back to the end of his tenure at Ohio State, so it’s good to see his play hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Broncos. This is a lot of money, but the 2021 seventh-round pick is in his prime and arguably still pushing toward the apex of his career. Cooper has 19 tackles and 5.5 sacks this season as a key piece of a fierce Denver defense.

Grade: B

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott out for multiple weeks with hamstring injury

After a quiet offseason, Dallas has dug itself a hole at 3-5. That hole could get deeper without Prescott, especially with a daunting upcoming schedule.

The quarterback’s play has regressed following an excellent showing in 2023, posting 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions through the air. Even so, going from Prescott to Cooper Rush will hamstring — no pun intended — an offense that’s very reliant on its passing game. The door is closing for the 2024 Cowboys.

Broncos receive: 2025 sixth-round pick

Cardinals receive: EDGE Baron Browning

Browning recorded 9.5 combined sacks from 2022-23, but fell out of favor in Denver this season, making him tradeable for the 5-4 Broncos. Personally, I would’ve held onto the 25-year-old — there’s some untapped potential there — but George Paton and Sean Payton felt otherwise.

Arizona, somewhat shockingly, sits in first place in the NFC West, so lightly buying makes sense. Browning can help address the outside linebacker spot for the Cardinals, the team’s weakest position group because of youth and injuries. The 2021 third-round pick has zero sacks this year, but expect that to change with an increased role in Arizona’s complex blitz scheme.

Broncos Grade: C

Cardinals Grade: B+

Titans S Quandre Diggs out for season with Lisfranc injury

The 2-6 Titans have limited hope for a playoff spot, but losing a talented defender like Diggs always hurts. The 31-year-old has 42 tackles on the season, and Tennessee will surely miss his coverage ability. Third-year pro Mike Brown should step in for Diggs.

NCAAF

Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss out for season with knee injury

If losing to South Carolina wasn’t enough, Texas A&M will now be without its leading rusher for the rest of the year. Amari Daniels is capable of filling in, but the Aggies will miss Moss and his rushing production of 765 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Texas A&M will still have playoff hopes if it finishes 10-2 with a win over Texas in the regular-season finale.