By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — It wasn’t the fiery start seen in each of the New Orleans Saints’ opening games, but the team is showing an early propensity to navigate some adversity. However, the offense has not yet gotten in the rhythm that has come to be expected of the team. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is going to have to find some key adjustments to get the offense back on track after a sluggish first half impacted by injury and a solid defensive gameplan by the Philadelphia Eagles.
New Orleans holds the lead 3-0.
The Eagles have done a fantastic job covering the Saints’ outside zone run game, limiting what the offense could get going on the ground. That concern was magnified by the loss of starting center Erik McCoy on the third offensive play of the game for the Saints. McCoy’s groin injury led to him leaving to go back to the locker room. He will not return.
Without their anchor on the line, Philadelphia’s interior pass rush turned up the heat quickly. Eagles interior defender Jordan Davis got a quick sack on Saints passer Derek Carr and then added some additional pressures and a batted ball on third down where Carr had tight end Foster Moreau open on a crosser.
However, the Saints’ defense has been making play after play. Safety Tyrann Mathieu ended a red zone possession for Philadelphia with an interception in the end zone while defensive end Carl Granderson wrangled Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts for a sack that led to a fumble. The fumble was recovered by linebacker Willie Gay Jr. Unfortunately, the Saints’ offense was not able to cash in on the extra possessions and opportunities.
Some adjustments are already underway for New Orleans. The passing game has sped up, getting the ball out of Carr’s hands with greater haste. The Saints have also begun moving the offensive line and doing some interesting things to help themselves on the offensive line and the team has also mixed up its rushing attack a bit as well. Not all of these changes have led to strictly positive plays, but they are a sign of the coaching staff’s pursuit to adjust.
Just before the half, the Eagles offense put together a long two-minute drive together as the Saints defense bent, but didn’t break. The drive came down to a critical 4th-and-1 play in which the Eagles tried to fake the Saints out by showing their patented “Tush Push” look but running to the right. The play was sniffed out by defensive end Chase Young and forced a turnover on downs to preserve the team’s first half shutout.
Philadelphia will start the second half with the football and look to take the lead with a scripted drive, but the Saints’ defense will play to limit them again. The defense has been the story keeping them alive so far. If that side of the ball can keep up its fast start, that will go a long way for Carr and the offense to get things figured out.
