Eagles vs. Saints: 13 winners, 4 losers, 3 IDKs

The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-1 after beating the New Orleans Saints! Time at hand out some winners, losers, and IDKs.

However, earlier than we get began, simply wished to incorporate an enormous image thought: this can be a actually good win for this group. Yeah, it wasn’t fairly because it may’ve been, and sloppiness has turn out to be too widespread of a theme relationship again to final season. However this wasn’t a spot the place the Eagles wanted to earn model factors (though they kinda did, outgaining their opponent by 241 yards). It wasn’t like they had been large favorites. They had been 2.5-point street underdogs coming off a brief week after a demoralizing loss enjoying towards arguably the most well liked group within the NFL. And so they entered the sport with out A.J. Brown after which suffered a number of key accidents all through the afternoon. This was a major problem and so they in the end received the job performed. Shifting ahead, it’s completely necessary for this group to point out that they will play a greater, cleaner model of soccer. This win may function a efficiency to construct on. It actually beats the choice of dropping to 1-2 with issues feeling like they is perhaps going off the rails.

OK, now it’s W-L-IDK time for actual.

WINNERS

VIC FANGIO

The Eagles’ protection — and thus additionally the Eagles’ defensive coordinator — was justifiably within the crosshairs after permitting the Atlanta Falcons to drive 70 yards in six performs over 65 seconds for a game-winning landing final week.

Coming into the Saints recreation, there was critical concern concerning the Eagles’ capability to each cease the run and rush the passer. Because it seems, they’re not completely hopeless on that entrance!

The Saints had been averaging 405.5 yards per recreation and 45.5 factors per recreation. These numbers had been all the time certain to come back again to Earth a bit … however the Eagles’ defensive success clearly wasn’t nearly New Orleans regression. They went out and shut that offense down.

From the Eagles’ recreation notes:

Philadelphia’s protection held New Orleans to 219 yards of whole offense (130 passing, 89 dashing).

The final time Philadelphia held a group below 300 yards of whole offense was on 12/25/23 vs. NY Giants (292; 106 dashing, 186 passing).

The final time Philadelphia held a group below 100 yards dashing was on 11/5/23 vs. Dallas (73).

The final time Philadelphia held a group below 150 internet yards passing was on 9/25/23 at Tampa Bay (133).

Six of the Saints’ 12 whole factors got here after a missed Jake Elliott discipline objective allowed the opposition to take over on the 50-yard line. It’s really spectacular that they didn’t rating extra contemplating the Eagles turned the ball over twice and had a blocked punt that allowed the Saints to start out a drive on the Eagles’ 27-yard line.

Fangio’s changes — which included heavier defensive fronts and enjoying Bryce Huff much less typically — clearly labored. This was a masterful protection efficiency.

JALEN CARTER

Now THIS was the model of Jalen Carter that we had been anticipating to see when projecting him as a Defensive Participant of the 12 months candidate.

After saying he performed like “trash” in his first two video games, Carter stepped up massive time in New Orleans.

Carter logged 4 whole tackles (three solo), two tackles for loss, two cross deflections, and one quarterback hit however the field rating doesn’t even do his efficiency justice. He was flat out dominating the Saints:

Carter was undoubtedly aided by the Saints shedding their beginning heart, Erik McCoy, and their beginning proper guard, Cesar Ruiz. However Carter was additionally having his approach with Ruiz earlier than the latter’s exit.

Nick Sirianni revealed that Carter obtained a recreation ball for his efficiency on this recreation. Professional Soccer Focus graded Carter as the highest inside defender within the NFL from Week 3.

Carter’s dominance jogged my memory of watching Fletcher Cox in his prime. There have been video games in Cox’s profession the place he completely took over. And video games when he wanted to try this as a result of the offense wasn’t capable of get something going. With the Eagles unable to attain till early within the fourth quarter (lol) on this one, Carter performed an enormous half in holding this recreation winnable.

If Carter’s really turned the nook after a sluggish begin … nicely, I really feel dangerous for the offensive strains tasked with blocking him.

REED BLANKENSHIP

We’ve stated it earlier than and we’ll say it once more: Reed Blankenship is a playmaker. His diving interception to seal the sport was no reward; that was a very spectacular catch in a key second.

Blankenship’s first interception this season additionally got here at an necessary time to offer them a lead towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers that they by no means surrendered. It’s not like he’s stat-stuffing in low leverage conditions. He’s majorly contributed to 2 wins thus far.

Blankenship had a pleasant little speech after the sport. We’re seeing a younger participant evolving right into a group chief:

BRANDON GRAHAM

It’s not possible to not love Brandon Graham.

Undoubtedly doesn’t appear splendid that the Eagles needed to depend on the 35-year-old to play essentially the most edge rusher snaps. However Graham answered the decision and — true to type — he stepped up when the group wanted him most. Graham performed an element in blowing up the Alvin Kamara run that was stopped quick for a turnover on downs. He additionally hit Derek Carr because the quarterback was throwing to assist power the game-sealing interception caught by a diving Reed Blankenship.

It’s cool that Graham appears poised to complete his profession on a robust notice versus having to stroll away just because he doesn’t have the potential in him anymore.

ZACK BAUN

Baun was unexpectedly good in Week 1 earlier than actually struggling to deal with the Falcons’ minimize blocks in Week 2. Fangio’s changes put Baun in a greater place to achieve Week 3 and the Birds’ prime linebacker took benefit towards his former group. Baun was the one to deal with Kamara for a turnover on downs and that was simply certainly one of his 13 whole tackles. PFF credited Baun with 4 “stops”, that are tackles that represent a “failure” for the offense.

Encouraging to see the Baun at linebacker experiment get again on monitor in an enormous approach.

Baun is as much as 37 mixed tackles this season, which ranks second within the NFL solely behind Nick Cross (39). Baun’s earlier season-high for tackles was 30, which he had in each 2021 and 2023. Via three video games with the Eagles, he’s already seven past that mark.

QUINYON MITCHELL

Mitchell broke up a deep cross to Rashid Shaheed, who has unimaginable pace, to forestall a probable landing. Q seems to be extremely unfazed for a rookie. He’s allowed only a 69.7 passer score when focused this season. He had one other cross breakup that was … too good? Like, he received in place so nicely that he ought to’ve been capable of choose the ball off however as a substitute spiked the cross into the bottom.

It’s thrilling to consider Mitchell’s ceiling if he’s already trying this good.

JORDAN DAVIS

Davis wanted a recreation like this. From our snap counts evaluation:

He notched his first sack since having half a sack in Week 7 of final season. It was his first recreation with a full sack since Week 2 final season. And simply the second recreation in his profession the place he’s had a full sack. Davis was additionally credited together with his first TFL since Week 2 of final season. Can he construct on this efficiency?

There are clearly some drawbacks to stunting, so it’s not so simple as the Eagles all the time having Davis try this, however they need to most likely benefiting from his athleticism in that capability extra typically. If his affect taking over offensive linemen one-on-one goes to be restricted, get him on the transfer. Milton Williams drew the additional consideration on the stunt that allowed Davis to get dwelling to Carr however the massive man’s motion capability aided him in arriving there. The Eagles want this Davis extra typically.

SAQUON BARKLEY

How are we solely attending to Saquon now? I wished to start out with all issues Eagles protection since that unit actually deserves their flowers. However Barkley was additionally wonderful as soon as once more.

His 65-yard landing run was such an enormous play. Not simply because it resulted within the Eagles’ first factors of the sport to take a 7 to six lead. But in addition due to the context of DeVonta Smith taking a unclean hit on the play earlier than. With no A.J. Brown or DeVonta, Barkley determined to do it himself and choose the offense up when the group actually wanted him to make a play.

Barkley regarded extremely quick on his run and, shocker, it seems he was:

If that felt just like the Eagles’ longest landing run in a while, nicely, that’s additionally as a result of it was:

Barkley’s 17 carries went for 147 yards (8.6 common) and two touchdowns. He instantly scored 14 of their 15 factors. He’s scored 32 of their 70 factors this season (and got here very near having six extra earlier than his receiving landing was overturned in Week 2 and a Brotherly Shove vultured his rating on the following play).

Barkley leads all NFL operating backs in dashing with 351 yards. He ranks second in yards from scrimmage with 404. I’d argue he’s been even higher than most anticipated. Apart from dropping a game-sealing cross in Week 2, he’s been fairly unimaginable. And this week’s efficiency helped him earn redemption for his one mistake.

DALLAS GOEDERT

It’s INSANE that this dude solely noticed 4 targets in Week 2. 4 of 29 doable targets! Whereas Britain Covey had six! Why?!

At the least they didn’t make that mistake once more right here. The Eagles made an effort to get Goedert concerned from the leap with a designed play for him on their very first drive.

Goedert completed the sport with a team-high 11 targets, catching 10 passes for 170 yards. Two performs particularly stood out: 1) the one-handed seize on a cross practically thrown too huge to transform a 3rd down and a couple of) the 61-yard catch-and-run to set the Eagles up for his or her game-winning landing. Goedert was huge open in no small half because of scheme on the latter play however not simply each tight finish can transfer after the catch like he can.

The Eagles most likely shouldn’t do the factor the place they neglect Goedert is on the group once more.

DEVONTA SMITH

It’s actually unlucky that DeVonta took an enormous shot to the pinnacle on a play the place the whistle clearly ought to’ve been blown earlier together with his ahead progress stopped nicely forward of the place he was in the end contacted.

DeVonta was having one other productive recreation previous to getting knocked out. He caught seven of his 10 targets for 79 yards. His longest reception, a 21-yard effort, was a tricky seize that instantly offset the injury of a holding penalty that set the offense again.

FRED JOHNSON

How typically have we seen the Eagles look fairly hopeless with out Lane Johnson enjoying? It was regarding, then, when Lane left the sport early because of a concussion that apparently induced him to throw up and required him to lean on Huge Dom to get again to the locker room.

Fred Johnson is clearly no Lane Johnson — nobody is — however he did precisely what you would hope for out of an offensive line substitute: not get annihilated. PFF did mark Fred down for 5 pressures allowed however they had been all “hurries” versus sacks or quarterback hits. Additionally they graded him out nicely as a run blocker.

Talking after the sport, Fred admitted he was emotional. And understandably so after grinding away behind the scenes earlier than lastly attending to play in his first common season recreation since December 2021.

Again in coaching camp, Sirianni singled out Fred — unprompted — as one of many Eagles’ most improved gamers. Whereas everybody would clearly choose for Lane to by no means miss time, it’s cool that Fred made essentially the most of his alternative. Looks as if the Eagles simply may need a stable swing deal with.

TYLER STEEN

PFF graded Steen because the Eagles’ finest cross blocker, permitting zero pressures in 35 cross rush alternatives. He additionally had the third-best run blocking grade, simply behind Lane and Fred.

That type of outing was most likely a pleasant confidence increase for a participant who may use one after coming into coaching camp because the beginning guard and shedding his job to Mekhi Becton. Steen shedding that battle wasn’t a lot about him trying terrible as a lot because it was him coping with an harm and the Eagles seemingly being intrigued by Becton’s large dimension.

If Becton misses appreciable time, I wouldn’t rule out Steen taking the job again. For now, although, Steen is an efficient backup to have.

JEFF STOUTLAND

The Eagles’ dashing assault towards the Saints’ …

No. 1 run protection in 2020: 36 rushes, 246 yards (6.8 common), 2 TD
No. 1 run protection in 2021: 50 rushes, 242 yards (4.8 common), 3 TD
No. 3 run protection in 2024: 25 rushes, 172 yards, (6.9 common), 2 TD

Dennis Allen isn’t a fantastic head coach (the Eagles ought to be grateful that his conservative strategy helped maintain them hanging round) however he’s revered as top-of-the-line defensive minds within the NFL. And Stoutland has clearly gotten the higher of Allen’s defenses of their final three conferences.

Stout did it this time with the Eagles lacking two beginning offensive linemen for about half of the sport.

LOSERS

TEAM HEALTH

The Eagles are banged up coming into Week 4.

It’s presently unclear if A.J. Brown will be capable of return from his hamstring harm. The Eagles may wish to maintain him out till Week 6 in order that he can relaxation over the course of the Week 5 bye. By no means good to hurry a participant again from a hammy just for them to rapidly re-injure it.
DeVonta Smith clearly suffered an enormous hit to the pinnacle. He’ll need to cross via the NFL’s concussion protocol earlier than being eligible to return.
Lane Johnson didn’t look to be in nice form as he left the sport. He’s in the identical boat as DeVonta when it comes to needing to be cleared to return.
Mekhi Becton is coping with some type of finger harm.

Britain Covey reportedly suffered a damaged shoulder bone that would trigger him to overlook six weeks.
Darius Slay tweeted that he’s OK regardless of being pushed into the bottom out of bounds nicely after the play was over by Trevor Penning.

We’ll discover out extra about these accidents when the Eagles start their apply schedule on Wednesday.

The receiver scenario appears particularly regarding. If the Eagles don’t have Brown, Smith, and Covey, they’re with out three of their prime 4 receivers. They may need to discover a option to get by with Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Parris Campbell, and … another person from the apply squad?

Oh, it’d even be good if there wasn’t some completely sudden harm that pops up on the report like has been the case for the primary three weeks.

NICK SIRIANNI

The 4th-and-1 choice in direction of the tip of the second quarter was wild.

For the second recreation in a row, Sirianni ignored the analytics mannequin suggestion and went together with his intestine. The Eagles ought to’ve kicked the 32-yard discipline objective there to tie the sport at three factors apiece coming into halftime.

As an alternative, Sirianni stated it was him — not play-caller Kellen Moore — who known as the faux Brotherly Shove run to Saquon that received known as for a turnover on downs.

Had the play labored, the Eagles would’ve had a primary down with … about 9 seconds or so left and one timeout to work with the ball across the plus 14-yard line. They may’ve taken one shot (perhaps two) into the tip zone.

However risking the near-certainty of three factors to make a frantic throw or two into the tip zone doesn’t appear to be a fantastic proposition. Particularly with the extra context that the offensive line had simply misplaced two starters and the Eagles may’ve benefited from the emotional elevate of tying the sport coming into the half whereas realizing they’d obtain first within the third quarter.

The trick play there was simply too cute. And that’s hardly Sirianni will be accused of overthinking issues.

I’ll say I feel there truly is a scenario the place going for it made sense. If the Eagles had been enjoying an aggressive head coach and/or actually good quarterback, they could have left an excessive amount of time remaining within the first half after a discipline objective kick there. The clock would’ve been round 0:10, which is sufficient for a prime passer to get his group an opportunity at a discipline objective of their very own. If the Eagles had been enjoying Patrick Mahomes, I may’ve seen operating the precise Brotherly Shove (you recognize, the play that’s largely been unstoppable for them similar to it was in Week 2), forcing the opposite group to take their ultimate timeout, kneeling the ball, taking their very own ultimate timeout, after which kicking the sector objective to go to halftime. However, once more, that wasn’t the scenario right here. Dennis Allen has a monitor report of being conservative and his punt from the Eagles’ 40-yard line on the earlier drive served as a reminder of that a lot.

If Sirianni really wished to be aggressive on that fourth down, I feel it might’ve been extra respectable if the Eagles handed the ball (maybe a play-action throw) to completely attempt to catch the Saints’ protection off guard in that scenario. That plan of action can be in line with a balls to the wall identification. Sadly, Sirianni’s decision-making too typically lacks a sample of conviction and as a substitute comes off as haphazard.

I get it, this can be a lot of phrases about one choice, and it will possibly come off as nitpicking. However Sirianni is meant to be acing the sport administration now that it’s one of many essential issues he’s overseeing. And but his actions don’t encourage confidence that he provides the Eagles an edge on this regard.

To not point out there have been problems with the Eagles as soon as once more trying like a poorly coached group on this recreation. For instance, a 12 males within the huddle penalty turned a Third-and-2 right into a Third-and-7 and the Eagles’ punt that received blocked. The Eagles are tied for being the sixth-most penalized group within the league to this point.

Additionally, to circle again to Sirianni saying he known as the play as a substitute of Moore … isn’t that regarding? We thought that Sirianni wouldn’t be meddling after that seemed to be a problem final yr.

BRYCE HUFF

For the second recreation in a row, Huff didn’t seem within the field rating. The Eagles’ protection regarded loads higher as he performed his lowest snap depend share of the season.

When Huff did play, it was in apparent cross rush conditions. And he didn’t generate any stress.

Maybe he can finally discover his footing however, for now, it seems to be like he could possibly be a complete free agent bust.

GRANT CALCATERRA

Calcaterra was dinged for a holding penalty and he usually simply didn’t look good as a blocker. He’s a greater cross catcher than Jack Stoll however, with the Eagles typically utilizing their second tight finish primarily as a blocker, it’s type of an issue that Calcaterra isn’t good at blocking.

I DON’T KNOWS

JALEN HURTS

Parsing Hurts’ efficiency this season requires nuance, which is one thing that individuals positively maintain in excessive regard lately. It’s not so simple as saying he’s been “good” or “dangerous.”

Hurts clearly did some good issues towards the Saints. He accomplished 76.3% of his passes and threw for 311 yards whereas averaging 8.2 yards per completion. He helped engineer the Eagles’ game-winning landing drive in a clutch scenario late within the fourth quarter.

Nevertheless it’s exhausting to disregard the turnover points that proceed to plague him. One can argue Hurts’ interception isn’t a lot on him as a result of DeVonta ought to’ve performed a greater job together with his route. That’s affordable. However the fumble was horrible. And, zooming out, he’s at 26 giveaways in his final 21 video games. That prime of a quantity can’t simply be the results of misfortune. Hurts has turned the ball over greater than another quarterback since Week 1 final yr.

Listed here are the giveaways leaders since then:

Jalen Hurts: 26
Josh Allen: 23
Sam Howell: 23
Tua Tagovailoa: 22
Patrick Mahomes: 21
Trevor Lawrence: 21

Allen and Mahomes clearly stand out on this checklist in a approach that makes one marvel if it’s such an enormous deal that Hurts turns it over a lot.

A number of ideas on that a lot: 1) Hurts nonetheless has significantly extra giveaways, which is a matter. 2) Allen and Mahomes have to hold the burden of their offenses in a approach that Hurts doesn’t give the Eagles’ superior supporting solid. 3) Whereas committing three fewer giveaways, Allen has additionally accounted for seven extra touchdowns in a single fewer recreation performed than Hurts (whose TD numbers are boosted partially by the Brotherly Shove). 4) Allen’s volatility has labored towards him in getting over the hump. 5) Mahomes has simply 9 giveaways in 18 playoff video games, the place he’s 15-3. He’s enjoying mistake-free soccer when it issues most.

Talking of simply 9 giveaways in 18 video games, these are the precise numbers from Hurts’ wonderful 2022 season. He must get again to caring for the ball. It’s exhausting to grasp how he hasn’t been capable of do it since 1) we noticed him do it that season and a couple of) he was nice at defending the ball in coaching camp this yr!

Turnovers (amongst different points) had been an enormous purpose why this recreation was a lot nearer than the yardage differential indicated it ought to’ve been. Hurts has to cease giving the ball away.

JAHAN DOTSON

Dotson performed an necessary function in Goedert’s 61-yard catch-and-run:

Great things!

The dangerous information is he’s principally been a non-factor as a receiver in three video games. And a kind of video games he led all Eagles receivers in snaps performed whereas he ranked second in one other.

Dotson’s been focused simply 5 occasions for 3 catches and 14 yards. Even with the acknowledgement that’s most likely nonetheless adjusting to the offense, that’s fairly gentle manufacturing. The Eagles want to determine easy methods to get him going a little bit bit extra, particularly in the event that they’re with out each Brown and Smith in Week 4.

JAKE ELLIOTT

A 60-yard discipline objective clearly isn’t a layup however Elliott has earned the fitting to be thought-about among the many NFL’s easiest kickers. And so for him to overlook huge proper — in a dome, no much less! — with out the ball ever trying prefer it had an opportunity wasn’t nice. Not making an attempt to completely crush him and never truly anxious about him shifting ahead however I feel it’s honest to be disenchanted with that miss.