Thank You Defense — Eagles Beat Saints 15-12

For the first time since 2007, the Eagles have won a game in New Orleans. The Eagles will leave the Bayou with a tough fought, and often frustrating win.

Frustrating and win are two words that are not usually used in the same sentence, but they describe today’s game.

An Outstanding Defensive Performance

The biggest story from this game is the play of the Eagles’ defense. Coming into this game the Saints were the highest-scoring offense in the league averaging 45.5 points per game, yet the Eagles held them to just 12 points. One thing the defense had been doing well was limiting the damage in the red zone, which they excelled at today. A big turning point in today’s game today I believe was the Saints’ first drive on offense. They immediately went down the field and it looked like it was going to be a really rough day for the defense. But, they held their own and forced a field goal with a Jalen Carter pass deflection.

The Eagles needed a player to step up on their defensive line, and that player was Jalen Carter. Carter had the best game of his young career. While he did not record a sack, he was constantly in Carrs’ face and had two deflections. If the Eagles defensive line is going to turn it around this season, it has to start with Carr. Thankfully today, it did.

Another part of the defense that played well today was the linebackers. After a bad week last week, they had a bounce-back game against a great running back in Kamara. While he finished with 87 yards, at just 3.3 yards per carry I would consider that a major success.

Last week when the game was on the line the defense folded and gave up the game-winning touchdown. This week, with the same situation, they came up with the game-sealing interception. A perfect way to end a near-perfect day from the defense.

Poor Coaching Decisions

During the week I wrote an article defending Nick Sirianni, but there is no defense for his decision-making this week. The decision that will be talked about all week is the fake tush push. With under a minute left in the first half the Eagles had a 4th and short and one timeout left. Instead of taking the points, Sirianni decided to go for it with a fake tush push and failed. Sirianni told reporters that he also called the fake tush push play. Luckily the Eagles still won the game, but in a similar situation against the Falcons Sirianni decided against taking the field goal, and they lost by just one point. Then this week he repeats the mistake again. I understand trusting analytics to help you make decisions, but even the analytics was saying to kick the field goal. Just a horrible decision that he is lucky did not cost them. Then later in the game, he decided to go for it on 4th down again when they were in field goal range, and again they did not get it. Making both these decisions to forgo a make-able field goal while having 0 points is just ridiculous. Nick is very lucky they won this game because he did just about everything he could have to blow it.

A Confusing Offensive Performance

This game is hard to judge how well the offense played. On one hand, they moved up and down the field with ease at times, and Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert had their best games this season. On the other hand, they only scored 15 points and turned the ball over 2 times. The biggest takeaway offensively is that Dallas Goedert needs to be involved in the game plan more. With 10 catches and 170 yards, he had by far the best game of his career, including the biggest play of the game with his late catch and run. He was fantastic in the passing game, and moving forward Kellen Moore needs to draw up more plays to get him the ball moving forward.

Another player who had a great game was Saquon Barkley. Barkley had 17 carries for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns. Barkley’s 65-yard touchdown run gave the Eagles their first lead of the day and broke the seal off the offense. Barkley was incredible in the running game today, and despite the crucial drop last week, has been the team’s MVP so far this season. It has been great to see what he has been able to do behind a competent offensive line, and with the injuries in the receiver room he is going to continue to be relied on.

Jalen Hurts had another up-and-down performance today. Hurts finished the game with 311 passing yards, but he also had an interception and a fumble. Last week Hurts was rightfully criticized for his turnover with a chance to win the game, but this week he got the game-winning touchdown. While some may say it was luck because the Saints players ran into each other, I give Jalen credit for hitting Dallas in stride allowing him to keep his momentum going for the long run. I also give Jalen credit for winning a game in which he lost his best wide receiver, and two starting offensive linemen. That is not easy. While he still held onto the ball way too long, he also made some great throws as well. Unfortunately, yet again the biggest story with Hurts will be the turnovers. In the first half, Hurts threw an interception in the end zone, and they fumbled on the next drive. These turnovers give him 26 turnovers since the start of 2023, the most in the NFL. That is just flat-out unacceptable. There are not many games you will win in the NFL turning the ball over as much as he has since the start of last year. Luckily for the Eagles, today was one of those games you can win.

---

Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order

Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO