NFL Week 3 dwell updates: Inactives, schedule, kickoff instances, matchups, odds and predictions
The Philadelphia Eagles outlasted the New Orleans Saints in a low-scoring slugfest Sunday, counting on working again Saquon Barkley and a stout defensive displaying to flee the Caesars Superdome with a 15-12 victory.
The Eagles (2-1) have been with out star huge receiver A.J. Brown, who’s coping with a hamstring harm, and misplaced DeVonta Smith within the fourth quarter as a result of a concussion after he took a tough hit that triggered his helmet to fly off. However Barkley produced sufficient explosive performs within the second half to provide Philadelphia the sting, racking up 147 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
Tight finish Dallas Goedert and security Reed Blankenship have been additionally key elements within the win. Goedert caught 10 passes for a career-high 170 yards whereas Blankenship snagged a late interception to seal the victory.
Eagles sloppy play persists
The Eagles are inexcusably sloppy via three video games. This drawback shouldn’t have continued this lengthy below coach Nick Sirianni, whose oversight over clear play is prolonged in his CEO-style function. Philadelphia was flagged 3 times on offense throughout third-down conditions.
The Eagles broke the huddle with too many gamers on the sphere in a third-and-2 state of affairs that turned a third-and-7. Two performs later, the Saints blocked a Philadelphia punt and commenced their subsequent drive on the Eagles’ 27. Sirianni additionally determined to go for it on fourth down 3 times. They transformed simply one of many makes an attempt.
On one in all them, Barkley was stopped for no achieve on an end-around out of the Brotherly Shove. Philadelphia additionally tried a late 60-yard subject purpose try. Jake Elliott missed it huge proper. Had been it not for Barkley and Goedert’s explosive performs, the Eagles would’ve been sunk. — Brooks Kubena, Eagles beat author
Protection steps up
Philadelphia’s protection vastly improved after an terrible first two weeks, particularly towards the run. The Eagles entered Sunday permitting the NFL’s most speeding yards per carry (6.4). They held New Orleans to 90 yards on 29 makes an attempt (3.1).
In fact, this was a distinct type of offense. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio deployed his base packages much more incessantly this week. They’d typically been overwhelmed on zone runs, particularly alongside the surface. Linebacker Zack Baun was positioned alongside the defensive edge incessantly, and he completed the sport with a game-leading 13 tackles.
The Eagles’ younger defensive tackles, Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, additionally carried out as much as their expectation. They mixed for 3 tackles for loss, a sack and two passes defended. In the end, the protection was positioned in far too many conditions to avoid wasting the sport.
The Saints struck after cornerback Darius Slay exited the sport with an harm, with Derek Carr attacking backup Kelee Ringo for a protracted completion. Carr accomplished the go-ahead landing go to a large open Chris Olave, with security C.J. Gardner-Johnson trailing in protection. — Kubena
How involved ought to Eagles be about Hurts?
Jalen Hurts has not protected the soccer. On Sunday, he threw his fourth interception of the season whereas forcing the ball to Smith in the long run zone. He additionally misplaced a fumble whereas scrambling. Past his two turnovers, he threw a number of completions for curious unfavorable yardage when he may’ve as a substitute thrown the ball away.
Sure, he was lacking Brown to begin the sport. Hurts led Philadelphia for a five-play, 64-yard game-winning landing drive within the fourth quarter. nevertheless it required a third-and-16 dump go to Goedert, who ran 61 yards to the Saints’ 4. The Eagles no less than hope Hurts is performing inside the confines of a patchwork plan with out his main receiver.
They’ll want extra constant play from their franchise quarterback in the event that they need to go the place they anticipate themselves to complete. — Kubena
Saints protection, particular groups did their half
For the primary two weeks of the season, a lot of the excitement involving the Saints’ spectacular begin centered on an explosive offense that generated 40 level outings in back-to-back weeks. However that manufacturing overshadowed the play of a protection that dominated a high-powered Dallas Cowboys offensive assault in Week 2.
On Sunday, New Orleans (2-1) wanted its protection greater than ever, and the unit responded by maintaining the Saints within the recreation regardless of the sputtering offense. New Orleans’ protection generated two takeaways (a fumble and an interception) and their particular groups unit blocked a punt in Eagles territory.
The Saints additionally denied the Eagles on seven of 12 third downs.
One of many few breakdowns got here on a 65-yard Barkley landing run early within the fourth quarter. However New Orleans regrouped to disclaim Philadelphia on its subsequent possession and pressure the Eagles to accept a 60-yard subject purpose that Elliott narrowly missed.
The protection wanted one last stand with two minutes left, however the strain proved too nice as a busted protection left tight finish Goedert huge open for a 61-yard catch-and-run, and Barkley barrelled in for one more landing and two-point dialog to provide Philly a 15-12 lead with 1:05 left. — Mike Jones, nationwide NFL author
Early down success, stability is a should
Stability was a giant key to the Saints’ success via two weeks. And New Orleans definitely featured that on its game-opening drive. A capability to run the ball led to manageable third down performs, and Carr capitalized going three-for-three to open the sport.
However the Eagles stifled the Saints on first and second downs on their subsequent three possessions, and that led to lower-percentage third down conditions. After the new begin on third downs, the Saints then transformed solely one in all 5 the rest of the primary half. The struggles continued within the second half though the protection continued to ship.
New Orleans offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak didn’t completely abandon the run late within the recreation regardless of trailing, and he was rewarded as a balanced drive (5 runs, three passes) led to a Olave landing reception that elevated New Orleans 12-7 with 1:57 left.
It’s unattainable to not surprise if all of these game-long offensive struggles put an excessive amount of pressure on the Saints protection. Fatigue definitely may have been an element because the unit surrendered that five-play, 69-yard game-winning drive. New Orleans had another shot at a game-winning drive however then got here the Carr interception that sealed the Saints’ destiny. — Jones.
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(Picture: Gus Stark/ Getty Pictures)
