Late score sinks Saints, 15-12

By Ross Jackson

It wasn’t the explosive output you may be used to from the New Orleans Saints in this one. The Philadelphia Eagles turned it into a hard fought battle.

Saints quarterback Derek Carr and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak cooled down as Philadelphia came to town. The Eagles defense did a great job keeping them in it early. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, defensive end Carl Granderson and special teams ace J.T. Gray all forced big turnovers that, though the offense was not able to capitalize.

After holding the Saints to just three points in the first half, the Eagles struck quickly despite ample opportunity for the New Orleans offense to establish itself. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley’s 65-yard touchdown run was a pivotal moment in this game. It put the Saints behind for the first time this season.

New Orleans was able to answer. A couple of fantastic throws by quarterback Derek Carr to wide receiver Chris Olave late in the fourth quarter turned into a 12-7 lead after a failed two-point conversion. 

The Saints passed on a key field goal opportunity to go for it on fourth down earlier in the game which cost them the chance for an extended lead. That ended up playing a big part in this game as Philadelphia responded with a touchdown drive of their own to take a late 15-12 lead with 1:01 left in the game.

Dallas Goedert’s 60-yard catch and run down inside the five set up Saquaon Barkley’s second touchdown of the day which provide the game’s final margin. Goedert ended up being so open for the Eagles because two Saints defenders ran into one another. Head coach Dennis Allen said that the team knew that the Eagles would target their big-bodied tight end in the third-and-16 situation. New Orleans double-teamed tight end Dallas Goedert on the play, but the mid-field collision freed him up. 

Unfortunately for New Orleans, the potential game-winning drive came up short. Carr stood tall in the pocket and delivered a pass deep down the field for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed that ended up being picked off over the middle. Carr also took a big hit in the process.

The Saints drop to 2-1 on the season.

Hindsight is 20-20 no doubt. But the decision to pass on a potential 35-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter may have bitten Allen and the Saints.

Injuries:

• Saints’ starting center Erik McCoy left early with a groin injury and did not return. 
• Starting left guard Cesar Ruiz was down for a moment but quickly returned to the game.
• Linebacker Demario Davis left the game late

The Plays:

• On the first play of the second quarter, Tyrann Mathieu picks off Jalen Hurts in the endzone to preserve the Saints’ lead
• Granderson sacks Hurts and causes a fumble, recovered by linebacker Willie Gay Jr.
• With 14 seconds to play in the first half, Saints defensive end Chase Young made a huge fourth down stop alongside linebacker Pete Werner to force a turnover on downs while the Eagles were in field goal range to tie the game.
• Second-year defensive tackle Bryan Bresee corralled a critical fourth-down sack during the first drive of the second half. Again, the defenses forced a turnover on downs while the Eagles were in field goal range.
• Carr was 4-of-4 targeting Olave on third down. Each completion led to a fresh set of downs.
• Saints safety J.T. Gray blocked a punt in the third quarter to set the Saints offense up with great field position. 
• Kamara was held short on a fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter while the Saints were in field goal range. The turnover on downs led to Philadelphia’s first touchdown.
• Barkley’s 65-yard run in the fourth quarter gave the Eagles their first lead.
• Carr found Olave for a big 13-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to re-take the lead late.
• A 61-yard catch and run by Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert moved them inside the Saints’ 5 with just over 1-minute left, leading to the go-ahead touchdown run.
• Eagles safety Reed Blankenship picked off a deep pass attempt from Carr to Shaheed, which sealed the Eagles’ victory.

The Stats:

• New Orleans had just 98 total yards to start the fourth quarter.
• Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was held without a catch on five targets in this game, including the game-sealing interception.

Lagniappe:

• The Saints scored on their first drive, keeping their opening drive scoring streak going. 
• Kamara moved into the No. 2 spot on the Saints’ all-time rushing list with 86 rushing yards. He now has 6,113 career rushing yards.