Gut Reaction to Eagles Win in New Orleans

A defensive battle is the last thing most people expected in New Orleans on Sunday as the Eagles defeated the Saints, 15-12. With multiple injuries on the offensive line for both teams, I’m not sure the defenses deserve as much credit as they’re going to get. I am sure the victory will shelter Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni from being ripped as much as he deserves.

Certainly, Saints quarterback Derek Carr seemed to be pressured all day, and Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter had his best game of the season. But the Saints’ center was injured very early in the game, and that type of loss almost always causes havoc for an offensive line. Guys suddenly have to shift to different positions and the continuity of the line is lost.

The Eagles were dealing with the same issue, losing two offensive linemen, including Lane Johnson. The broadcast, I believe, indicated that he was throwing up and later mentioned a possible concussion. The Birds later lost wide receiver DeVonta Smith to a crushing hit as he was running back towards the line of scrimmage trying to go around tacklers. The Eagles were already without receiver AJ Brown for the game.

Ultimately, Philadelphia’s defense lead the way, keeping an offense that scored 40+ points in the first two weeks of the season to two field goals and a touchdown. (The Saints failed on a 2-point try late in the game.)

Besides the defense, two big offensive plays saved the Eagles. A 65-yard touchdown run by Saquon Barkley in the 4^th quarter broke their scoring drought to put them ahead, 7-3. New Orleans responded with a field goal, and, after a failed 62-yard field goal attempt by the Birds, scored a TD late in the game to take a 12-7 lead. In the Eagles’ last meaningful offensive series, Dallas Goedert set up the game winning touchdown catching a short pass and gaining 61 yards after two defenders crashed into each other to leave him room to run.

Those plays may or may not bury the stupidity of Sirianni, who once again seemed allergic to points. He’s a moron. His bravado was celebrated when the Eagles reached a Super Bowl in his second year as head coach, and he’s trying to live off it. The Eagles had zero points – nada – with the ball deep in Saints territory with seconds left in the first half. What’s the genius do? Sirianni chooses to go for it on 4^th down, and a fake “tush push” fails. By the way, even if it didn’t fail, there was about 15 seconds left and the Eagles were on the Saints’ 15. They likely wouldn’t have gained more than a few yards. So, what the hell’s the point? They’re probably still kicking a field goal.

As I mentioned, this is the same guy who decided to try a 62-yard field goal with under 7 minutes to play in a game his team was leading 7-6. (Punt! Play defense. You don’t set New Orleans up at mid-field with a miss!) The two decisions just don’t make sense. They’re just examples of Sirianni puffing out his chest with fake aggression.

Two more turnovers by Jalen Hurts might also be mostly overlooked because the Eagles won. An interception in the end zone wasn’t as bad as his pick in the end zone in the season opener, but it’s not exactly an encouraging sign. He also fumbled on a scramble. Turnovers by this quarterback are a problem.

The Eagles won a game that I didn’t think they had much of a chance to win. Unfortunately, they did so despite their head coach . . . and possibly their quarterback.