The New Orleans Saints’ season-opening win streak is over.
The Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including one with 61 seconds remaining in the game to beat the Saints (2-1) 15-12.
Philadelphia racked up 460 yards of total offense, while New Orleans only recorded 219 yards.
The first quarter was a mostly defensive affair, with the Saints and the Eagles recording a total of 108 offensive yards. The Saints accounted for 51 yards of total offense and a field goal in the opening frame, while Philadelphia recorded 57 yards, most on them coming in their second drive of the game.
That second Eagles drive ended on the first play of the second quarter when Tyrann Mathieu intercepted a Jalen Hurts pass in the end zone to return possession back to the Saints. However, the New Orleans offense failed to capitalize, recording their second three-and-out of the game.
Philadelphia converted a fourth down inside Saints territory on the ensuing drive, but on the first down immediately after that conversion, the Saints recovered a Hurts fumble to take over near midfield. The Saints again failed to trim a takeaway into points, punting after Rasheed Shaheed dropped a 60-yard pass in the end zone.
Philadelphia worked their way down field on the final drive of the first half, but their drive stalled just outside of the red zone. The Eagles set up for a “tush push” quarterback sneak, but they instead ran an off-tackle sweep that the Saints defense stuffed to end the drive with :13 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Saints then took a knee to end the first half with a 3-0 lead.
The defensive tussle continued in the second half. New Orleans stopped another Philadelphia fourth down conversion to open the frame. Philadelphia then forced the Saints to punt. The Saints special teams unit blocked the Eagles’ punt at the end of their next drive, giving the Saints the ball at the 27-yard line at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter began with a fourth-and-one at the Philadelphia 18-yard line. Philadelphia stopped Alvin Kamara a half-yard shy of the line of gain to force a turnover on downs.
The game’s first touchdown came on the ensuing Eagles drive. Running back Saquon Barkley scored on a 65-yard touchdown rush with 13:17 left in the game, giving the Saints their first deficit of the 2024 season.
The Saints cut the deficit to a single point on their next drive. A 16-yard Kamara run and a 27-yard Kamara reception helped set up a 36-yard Grupe kick to make the score 7-6.
Philadelphia attempted to extend its lead on the next drive via a 60-yard field goal, but kicker Jake Elliott’s effort was well short of the goal.
The Saints finally found the end zone on the next drive. Quarterback Derek Carr found receiver Chris Olave in the back of the end zone for a touchdown, capping off a nine-play, 50-yard drive. The Saints bounced back from what could have been a devastating unnecessary roughness call against offensive lineman Trevor Penning early in the drive. The Saints failed to convert a two-point try, making the score 12-7 with 2:03 remaining in the game.
The Saints’ lead didn’t last long. Hurts hit tight end Dallas Goedert for a 61-yard reception to set up Barkley’s second touchdown of the day. That score came on a four-yard run, capping off a five-play, 69-yard drive to put the Eagles ahead. Barkley tacked on two more points via a successful try to make the score 15-12.
Two plays later, Carr threw an interception, sealing Philadelphia’s win. Reed Blankenship recorded the pick, Philadelphia’s only takeaway in the game.
New Orleans travels to play the Atlanta Falcons (1-1). Philadelphia travels to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1). Both games are set for next Sunday at Noon Central.
