NFL Week 3 live updates: Inactives, schedule, kickoff times, matchups, odds and predictions
The Philadelphia Eagles outlasted the New Orleans Saints in a low-scoring slugfest Sunday, relying on running back Saquon Barkley and a stout defensive showing to escape the Caesars Superdome with a 15-12 victory.
The Eagles were without star wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, and lost DeVonta Smith in the fourth quarter due to a concussion after he took a rough hit that caused his helmet to fly off. But Barkley produced enough explosive plays in the second half to give Philadelphia the edge, racking up 147 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
Tight end Dallas Goedert and safety Reed Blankenship were also key factors in the win. Goedert caught 10 passes for a career-high 170 yards while Blankenship snagged a late interception to seal the victory.
Eagles sloppy play persists
The Eagles are inexcusably sloppy through three games. This problem should not have persisted this long under coach Nick Sirianni, whose oversight over clean play is extended in his CEO-style role. Philadelphia was flagged three times on offense during third-down situations.
The Eagles broke the huddle with too many players on the field in a third-and-2 situation that became a third-and-7. Two plays later, the Saints blocked a Philadelphia punt and began their next drive at the Eagles’ 27. Sirianni also decided to go for it on fourth down three times. They converted just one of the attempts.
On one of them, Barkley was stopped for no gain on an end-around out of the Brotherly Shove. Philadelphia also attempted a late 60-yard field goal attempt. Jake Elliott missed it wide right. Were it not for Barkley and Goedert’s explosive plays, the Eagles would’ve been sunk. — Brooks Kubena, Eagles writer
Defense steps up
Philadelphia’s defense vastly improved after an awful first two weeks, especially against the run. The Eagles entered Sunday allowing the NFL’s most rushing yards per carry (6.4). They held New Orleans to 90 yards on 29 attempts (3.1).
Of course, this was a different style of offense. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio deployed his base packages far more frequently this week. They’d often been beaten on zone runs, especially along the outside. Linebacker Zack Baun was placed along the defensive edge frequently, and he finished the game with a game-leading 13 tackles.
The Eagles’ young defensive tackles, Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, also performed up to their expectation. They combined for three tackles for loss, a sack and two passes defended. Ultimately, the defense was placed in far too many situations to save the game.
The Saints struck after cornerback Darius Slay exited the game with an injury, with Derek Carr attacking backup Kelee Ringo for a long completion. Carr completed the go-ahead touchdown pass to a wide open Chris Olave, with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson trailing in coverage. — Kubena
How concerned should Eagles be about Hurts?
He has not protected the football. On Sunday, he threw his fourth interception of the season while forcing the ball to Smith in the end zone. He also lost a fumble while scrambling. Beyond his two turnovers, he threw multiple completions for curious negative yardage when he could’ve instead thrown the ball away.
Yes, he was missing Brown to start the game. Hurts led Philadelphia for a five-play, 64-yard game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. but it required a third-and-16 dump pass to Goedert, who ran 61 yards to the Saints’ 4. The Eagles at least hope Hurts is performing within the confines of a patchwork plan without his leading receiver.
They’ll need more consistent play from their franchise quarterback if they want to go where they expect themselves to finish. — Kubena
Saints defense, special teams did their part
For the first two weeks of the season, much of the buzz involving the Saints’ impressive start centered on an explosive offense that generated 40 point outings in back-to-back weeks. But that production overshadowed the play of a defense that dominated a high-powered Dallas Cowboys offensive attack in Week 2.
Sunday New Orleans needed its defense more than ever, and the unit responded by keeping the Saints in the game despite the sputtering offense. New Orleans’ defense generated two takeaways (a fumble and an interception) and their special teams unit blocked a punt in Eagles territory.
The Saints also denied the Eagles on seven of 12 third downs.
One of the few breakdowns came on a 65-yard Barkley touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. But New Orleans regrouped to deny Philadelphia on its next possession and force the Eagles to settle for a 60-yard field goal that Elliott narrowly missed.
The defense needed one final stand with two minutes left, but the pressure proved too great as a busted coverage left tight end Goedert wide open for a 61-yard catch-and-run, and Barkley barrelled in for another touchdown and two-point conversation to give Philly a 15-12 lead with 1:05 left. — Mike Jones, national NFL writer
Early down success, balance is a must
Balance was a big key to the Saints’ success through two weeks. And New Orleans certainly featured that on its game-opening drive. An ability to run the ball led to manageable third down plays, and Carr capitalized going three-for-three to open the game.
But the Eagles stifled the Saints on first and second downs on their next three possessions, and that led to lower-percentage third down situations. After the hot start on third downs, the Saints then converted only one of five the remainder of the first half. The struggles continued in the second half even though the defense continued to deliver.
New Orleans offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak didn’t entirely abandon the run late in the game despite trailing, and he was rewarded as a balanced drive (five runs, three passes) led to a Olave touchdown reception that elevated New Orleans 12-7 with 1:57 left.
It’s impossible not to wonder if all of those game-long offensive struggles put too much strain on the Saints defense. Fatigue certainly could have been a factor as the unit surrendered that five-play, 69-yard game-winning drive. New Orleans had one more shot at a game-winning drive but then came the Carr interception that sealed the Saints’ fate. — Jones.
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(Photo: Gus Stark/ Getty Images)
