Saints vs. Eagles game recap

The New Orleans Saints played the Philadelphia Eagles at home yesterday, in a defensive battle that saw the Saints fall to 2-1.

First Quarter
Eagles won the toss and chose to defer. Alvin Kamara was featured on the play after the insuring touchback, but unfortunately didn’t get anywhere on a run to the right. However, the team stayed calm. Derek Carr was able to hit Chris Olave on second and ten for a nine-yard gain. New Orleans would convert the third down on an eight-yard Kamara run. Slowly gaining momentum, they were able to reach the end zone.

Unluckily though, TE Foster Moreau was called for a false start. That effectively killed the momentum they had, and the drive would end in a field goal. It would take the breath out of Saints fans though, as it doinked in. Saints would lead by three after their first drive.

Saints defense would show up, causing a three-and-out on the Eagles first drive. However, it seemed that Philly’s defense would also come to play. On their second drive they clapped back, causing a three-and-out of their own. In fact, that field goal by Blake Grupe would be the only score for the entire first half.

The first quarter would end on an Eagles drive that bled into the second. Safety Tyrann Matthieu would come away with an interception after giving up a big game on that same drive.

Second Quarter
The Saints would once again go three-and-out after the interception by Mathieu. They would have some yards gained on an 8-yard run by Alvin Kamara, but otherwise it was a very lackluster set of plays. Fortunately for New Orleans, the Eagles would continue to struggle against their defense. Another turnover would be caused, although this one was by Jalen Hurts himself. The Philadelphia QB would fumble it on a scramble and recovered by Carl Granderson.

The Saints next drive was defined by its short positive gains. However, the Saints couldn’t keep those up and would once again send out their Punter Matthew Hayball. Their defense would be able to force Philadelphia to punt yet again but would start to show some wear and tear. They would give up to huge gains, one on a 21-yard run by QB Jalen Hurts and then a 22-yard pass to TE Dallas Goedert.

At that point, when the Saint got the ball back there would be only two seconds left. With such little time left, the Saints would decide to kneel the ball.

Third Quarter
Both teams started cold in the second half, punting after a first down or two on their first drives. However, there’d be huge momentum shift in the Saints favor, with a blocked punt by safety J.T. Gray after the Eagles second drive of the half. It must be a given that this will happen with Steve Gleason in the house.

“Fizz always says run like you’re going to block it,” said J.T. Gray after the game, “And you never know who’s going to block it.”

Frustratingly, the Saints again would not be able to take advantage. Following the punts after the previous interception and fumble, the Eagles fans in the dome were making themselves heard. You could hear the “E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!” chant faintly from the TV broadcast.

New Orleans would punt at the start of the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter
Following the punt, the Philadelphia offense would take advantage of a tired New Orleans defense. In just four plays, the Eagles would score. That would be thanks to Saquon Barkley, who exploded for a 65-yard score.

The Saints would have a response though. On a drive that featured that featured two big gains by Alvin Kamara – a 16-yard run followed by a 27-yard catch – Blake Grupe would make another field goal. This time, with less doink.

The defense for New Orleans would then force Philadelphia to attempt their first field goal of the game, and one that was 60-yards. That’s one yard shy of their kicker Jake Elliot’s career high. Luckily for the Saints he would miss it, causing a turnover on downs.

New Orleans ensuing drive featured someone that wasn’t Alvin Kamara: Chris Olave. He was seen on crucial third down conversions, but said drives would end in punts or turn over on downs. This time not only did have a 29-yard reception, but he also had a touchdown reception that gave the Saints the lead. On the scoring play he would burn Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, which made it even sweeter. The Saints would for two but would be unable to convert. 7-12 Saints.

Philadelphia’s final drive was a painful one for Saints fans to watch, as they scored in just five plays. It would be another touchdown run by Saquon Barkley. It would be 13-7 Eagles, after the made PAT. However, the touchdown was set up on a 61-yard pass by Jalen Hurts to Dallas Goedert. On this play, three New Orleans players run into each other, which is why there was so much space around the TE.

Derek Carr would unfortunately throw an interception in response effectively putting the nail in the coffin himself.

“I wish just tried to skip it or whatever, get to the next play,” Carr said after the game, “But in that situation with the clock and how many yards we needed, I tried to make that play for our team and I didn’t”

The Saints will face the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday in Atlanta at noon.