By: Kylan Watson

On a short week, the Philadelphia Eagles had a lot more questions than answers as they prepared to face the New Orleans Saints today. Could their offense and defense impose their will against a Saints team that was dominating teams in all phases of the game. The Eagles showed up when it mattered most and beat the Saints 15-13.

This game started very ugly for both teams, Philly’s much maligned defense showed up today and put pressure on Derek Carr early in the game. Vic Fangio put the five biggest guys he had on the defensive line, to put as much pressure as possible on the Saints offense. It worked early on, they were able to blow up the Saints rushing scheme and forced Carr to be great. Throughout most of the contest he could not do it, this was a marvelous performance by the Eagles defense.

Additionally, they held a Saints offense that looked dominant to 13-points and kept the Eagles in the game long enough for the offense to find their mojo once again. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and the rest of their teammates on the defensive line imposed their will on a Saint offensive line that could not handle the heat in this contest.  Which ended when Reed Blankenship picked off Carr.

The defense doing their job allowed the Eagles to overcome two turnovers and seven penalties to win this game. The offense finally found their rhythm, they effectively used Dallas Goedert and Saquon Barkley in this game. Both players came up big in the final two drives for the Eagles. Barkley scored on a 65-yard touchdown run, and in a later offensive possession Goedert made a pivotal catch on a crossing route that put the Eagles in the red zone. As a result, that drive ended in a Barkley touchdown run and successful two-point attempt to keep Philly ahead in this contest. Even without AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles offense was still effective in this contest.

Kellan Moore and Jalen Hurts should make Goedert more of a focus point. He dominated this game and there is no excuse not to use him more. Especially, if Brown and Smith have to miss more games. Goedert in particular can be effective catching the ball over the middle and should open the field more for Hurts and Barkley.

Now the Eagles will prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday afternoon. They will need to do what they did tonight and put as much pressure on Baker Mayfield as possible. As a result, that should force Mayfield to either take the sack or turn the ball over and that gives the Eagles more possessions. Additionally, Philly will need to get some of their weapons back, and if that happens and they use Goedert and Barkley more next week.  They should be in a great position to beat Tampa Bay next Sunday and get their third win of the season.