New Orleans Saints (2-1) – Philadelphia Eagles (2-1): 12-15
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles have Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert to thank. With a barren offense through the first three quarters, Philadelphia was able to count on its two skill players to make the difference in the final seconds of the game. With AJ Brown out and DeVontae Smith out during the game, the Eagles were able to find the solution by playing a fierce defense against the best offense in the league, and by letting themselves be carried by their runner and tight end who produced high-flying statistics and were able to be decisive. A turnaround in the second half allowed them to find the fault, and dispose of the Saints with a precious victory even if it lacked a little brilliance.
For New Orleans, it was a terrible missed opportunity. With a very effective defense that shut down the opposing game almost the entire game, all hopes were allowed. But facing a ferocious opposing line, the attack systematically ran out of solutions. Alvin Kamara, the offensive focal point, was contained over the length, and Derek Carr was not able to be dominant as in previous weeks. As a result, New Orleans did not take advantage of its domination, and was overtaken in the last corner.
Impenetrable defenses
At the start of the game, the teams mainly distinguished themselves by their defensive pressure, and particularly on the line. While New Orleans snatched a few first downs with the pass thanks to Chris Olave (WR, 86 yards, 1 TD), it blocked in the red zone and only scored one field goal. For Philadelphia, Jalen Hurts (QB, 29/38, 311 yards, 1 INT) was very well contained from the start and spent little time on the field. The game broke loose two minutes from the end of the first quarter, when DeVonta Smith (WR, 79 yards) then Dallas Goedert (TE, 170 yards) found the gap in the coverage.
Unfortunately, as soon as the second quarter opened, Hurts found the defense's hands in the end zone, then lost the ball on a blindside sack. Two missed opportunities that cost the Eagles dearly, and that pushed the game even further into a defensive duel. Once again, it was not until the final seconds that the Eagles came knocking on the door of the end zone. Saquon Barkley (RB, 147 yards, 2 TD) took off… but was caught by the line. The two teams returned to the locker room without new points scored, 3-0 at halftime.
Everything is decided in the last quarter
At the start of the second half, Philadelphia changed its approach. After prioritizing the pass, it was now all on the ground for Barkley. Opposite, New Orleans also insisted on Alvin Kamara (RB, 87 yards on the ground, 40 yards receiving). However, the attacks stalled each time, it really didn't want to happen. Especially since the Saints blocked a punt from the Eagles, the quarter ended once again without points. Each team looked for the electroshock that would unblock the situation, but on both sides none of the opportunities were converted, the pressure mounted.
It's Barkley who lights the first fuse. A 63-yard breakaway that crosses and ends in the paint, finally Philadelphia lights the scoreboard. In response, New Orleans reduces the score with a field goal, and the two teams begin the last 10 minutes with only 1 point difference. First opportunity: the Eagles attempt a 60-yard kick, which goes to the right. Then an illegal block by a lineman pushes the Saints back 15 yards. The clock runs out… It's Olave who delivers New Orleans, on a 12-yard pass that crosses the line and gives the advantage to the Fleur de Lys.
With 2 minutes left, Hurts has no choice but to produce without his two starting receivers AJ Brown (out) and DeVontae Smith (out during the game). The solution? A 61-yard reception from Goedert that takes advantage of a horrible defensive mistake and sets up Barkley to get back in front. The final nail in the coffin comes from a Derek Carr interception (QB, 14/25, 142, 1 TD, 1 INT) on a forced pass down the middle. The Eagles got hot and got away with it, they got back into the NFC race.
