The Philadelphia Eagles, currently with a record of 1-1, will travel this week to face the unexpected challenge presented by the New Orleans Saints, who have surged to a 2-0 start this season. Following a narrow loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the Eagles will seek redemption against a Saints team that recently dominated the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff for this NFC contest is set for 1:00 pm EST.
Eagles Aim to Rebound with Hurts at the Helm
The Philadelphia Eagles were just moments away from clinching a win on Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons. However, a crucial dropped pass by star running back Saquon Barkley led to a missed opportunity, forcing the Eagles to settle for a field goal. This error allowed the Falcons to march down the field and score a go-ahead touchdown, sealing a heartbreaking 22-21 victory for Atlanta.
“They made a couple more plays than we did down the stretch. We made some plays; they made more,” said Eagles coach Nick Sirianni. “And that’s on all of us. That starts with coaching and goes to the players. We are all responsible for the loss.”
Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 23 of 30 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown, but he did so without his top wide receiver, A.J. Brown, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Barkley, despite his impressive 95 yards on 22 carries, will be remembered for the dropped pass that changed the game. The Eagles totaled 365 offensive yards and converted 6 of 13 third downs.
Defensively, the Eagles allowed 385 yards to the Falcons but managed to limit their third-down conversions to just 2 of 9. However, the Falcons averaged 5.4 yards per carry, showcasing a struggle for the Eagles’ defensive front.
As they prepare for New Orleans, the Eagles need to quickly regroup. They currently rank sixth in the NFL for total offense but sit 30th in total defense, with significant concerns about their performance against the run. Their red zone defense is solid, ranking fifth, but penalties and turnovers have plagued their early season.
Key Injuries: WR A.J. Brown (Hamstring) and WR Johnny Wilson (Hamstring)
Saints Continue to Impress
The New Orleans Saints, led by quarterback Derek Carr, have been a force to reckon with this season. They demonstrated this by crushing the Dallas Cowboys 44-19, with running back Alvin Kamara scoring four touchdowns. Carr, who faced criticism in his first season with the Saints, has started strong in 2024, throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas.
“I promised our team, and I promised our city I would do anything,” Carr stated. “I know it’s not going to be perfect, but I will do everything in my power to just be better this year. So far we’ve started off good.”
The Saints have scored a remarkable 91 points in their first two games, with their offense running smoothly and their defense performing admirably. They limited the Cowboys to 353 total yards and only allowed 68 rushing yards. The Saints managed to secure interceptions from Paulson Adebo and Tyrann Mathieu, in addition to recording three sacks.
Heading into this matchup, the Saints aim to achieve a 3-0 start for the first time since 2013. They currently rank third in total offense, with significant contributions both in rushing and passing. Their defense stands tall as well, ranking second against the run and fourth against the pass. Their ability to create turnovers has also been impressive, contributing to a favorable turnover margin.
Key Injuries: CB Marshon Lattimore, OT Taliese Fuga, S Tyrann Mathieu, WR Cedrick Wilson Jr., and LB D’Marco Jackson are questionable, while DT Khalen Saunders and OT Landon Young are doubtful.
Don’t get sacked this football season! Try our NFL Picks!
Best Bets for Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints
Prior to the season, many would have confidently picked the Eagles to win this matchup, likely giving them a five-point advantage. However, the dynamics have shifted dramatically. The Saints are now showcasing the offensive prowess that many anticipated with Carr at the helm. His command of the offense has resulted in impressive statistics, both through the air and ground. This poses a challenge for the Eagles, who have struggled to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Carr will look to exploit the Eagles’ weak run defense, which has ranked at the bottom of the league.
The Falcons exploited this vulnerability last week, and the Saints are expected to follow suit. On the flip side, the Eagles have yet to fully utilize their running game effectively with Barkley, currently ranked just 18th in yards per attempt. If they can’t establish a strong ground game, the formidable Saints pass rush could pose serious threats to Hurts, especially with Brown still sidelined.
Backing the Saints -2.5 seems like a sound choice.
