NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints scored on their first drive Sunday, similar to their surprising high-scoring performance in their first two games of the season.
Nothing else about their 15:12 defeat against Philadelphia didn’t look quite like it did in the overwhelming wins against Carolina and Dallas, when their offense seemed virtually unstoppable and scored 91 points – an NFL record – under new coordinator Klint Kubiak.
The Saints were limited to 12 first downs and were outgained 460 yards to 219. Their opportunistic defense kept them ahead of the Eagles for most of the game until they were eliminated by Saquon Barkley’s touchdown with 1:01 left.
“You knew there was going to be a setback at some point,” said Saints quarterback Derek Carr, who threw an interception on second down in the final minute to seal the outcome. “It’s not always going to be that easy.”
For New Orleans, it was a tough fight most of the time.
After scoring on the first nine series against Carolina and scoring touchdowns the first six times they had the ball in Dallas, they almost failed to score in the first three quarters.
Blake Grupe’s 34-yard field goal bounced off the right upright and over the crossbar, capping a 15-play possession. It was the only time New Orleans scored in the first 50 minutes.
Center Eric McCoy had to leave the field on the opening drive due to a groin injury, and the offensive rhythm that New Orleans had shown during two clear victories soon faded.
“It’s a big blow,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said of McCoy’s departure. “He’s an important part of our offensive line and our game on offense. It was tough to lose him, but it’s part of the game and we have to be able to step up and still play at an acceptable level when we lose a player like that.”
Guard Lucas Patrick slid to center and substitute Olisaemeka Udoh was brought in at guard. Carr was sacked on the first play of the Saints’ second possession, setting the tone.
The Eagles held running back Alvin Kamara to 87 yards on 26 carries after the Saints rushed for 370 yards in their first two games. When the Saints gave the ball to Kamara on fourth-and-1 from the Eagles’ 18-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter, Philadelphia stopped the star running back just short.
Carr completed 14 of 25 passes for 142 yards, including a long pass of 29 yards – a stark contrast to Weeks 1 and 2, when he threw five touchdowns, including one of 70 yards and another of 59 yards.
“Their offense was on fire for two weeks, scoring a lot of points and scoring a lot of yards with a lot of efficiency,” said Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, whose end zone interception and lost fumble in the first half ultimately did no damage to the Eagles. “Our defense played a damn good game.”
Grupe’s field goal with 9:49 left gave the Saints their first points since the opening drive, and Carr scored a 12-yard touchdown over Chris Olave to give New Orleans a 12-7 lead with 2:03 left.
It just wasn’t quite enough.
Hurts linked with tight end Dallas Goedert for a 63-yard catch to the New Orleans 4 when Saints safety Jordan Howden collided with cornerback Marshon Lattimore, forcing safety Will Harris to move around the two while chasing Goedert down the field.
Barkley scored the winning touchdown in the next game.
“We just allowed too many explosive plays on defense,” Allen said. “We made too many mistakes, and when you play against a good team and you make mistakes, they take advantage.”
The final mistake was Carr’s. He threw the ball forward under pressure as the Saints tried to get within range for a tying field goal. Safety Reed Blankenship caught it just before it hit the ground.
“I wish I would have just tried to skip it or get to the next play,” Carr said. “In that situation, with the clock and however many yards we needed to gain, I tried to make that play for our team – and I didn’t do that.”
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