Saints look a lot like last season in concerning Week 3 loss to Eagles

The New Orleans Saints weren’t ever going to finish the year undefeated, or score 40 points in every game. Their hot start had to fizzle out eventually. However, that reality doesn’t make Sunday’s 15-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles any less disappointing and concerning.

Entering the game, New Orleans had the league’s best offense, with an elite rushing attack, and were facing an Eagles defense that had been abysmal against the run in the first two weeks. It seemed like the perfect matchup for the Saints and their offense.

However, Philadelphia delivered a defensive performance no one saw coming, holding New Orleans to just 12 points. While it’s ultimately only one game, it’s a concerning game for fans, because the Saints looked a lot how they did last season.

Saints come back down to earth in loss to Eagles

Offensively, New Orleans looked nothing like the team that dropped back-to-back 40-plus-point games in the first two weeks of the season. Derek Carr finished the game completing 14-of-25 passes for 142 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. On the ground, the team ran the ball 29 times for 89 yards.

The offense was able to drive down and score a go-ahead touchdown with two minutes left, but the defense gave up that lead. When the Saints got the ball back with a minute, they had a real opportunity to make a drive and at least tie the game. Unfortunately, that attempt ended in just two plays, as Carr threw an ill-advised pass over the middle, that was intercepted, while he was being hit.

At that moment, all Saints fans had flashbacks to the pain they felt last season, watching the team lose close games. Now, New Orleans has to prove things have indeed changed, and this game was just a one off. That journey will start in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons. If a division rivalry game on the road wasn’t enough motivation, the Saints can now feed off the fact they’re coming off an ugly loss.

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