The New Orleans Saints offense has gotten all of the headlines early in the 2024 season with back-to-back 40-point outings but it was the Saints defense that led the way to a 3-0 halftime lead over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Carl Grandersonhad a strip sack of quarterback Jalen Hurts that was recovered by linebacker Willie Gay to end one Philadelphia possession while safety Tyrann Mathieu ended another potential Eagles scoring drive when he intercepted Hurts six yards deep in the end zone on the opening possession of the second quarter. It was Mathieu's second interception of the season and 35th of his career. Defensive back Alontae Taylor shared a sack on the opening possession with Granderson. Taylor has 3.5 sacks this season and Granderson had three.
And in possibly the most important play of the half the Saints stopped running back Saquan Barkley on fourth-and-1 with the ball on the 15-yard line. The Eagles elected not to run their famous "tush push" on the play.
The Saints, who are trying to get to 3-0 for the first time since 2013, lost center Erik McCoy to a groin injury on the first possession forcing left guard Lucas Patrick to move to center and Oli Udoh to take Patrick's place at left guard. The offense struggled without McCoy and Taysom Hill (ruled out Sunday morning with a chest injury) as the Saints punted three times in the first half, the first time they have had to punt in the opening half this season.
Kicker Blake Grupe made a 34-yard field off the right upright to end the opening drive with points. Quarterback Derek Carr was seven of 13 for 51 yards while Alvin Kamara had 12 carries for 33 yards. Receiver Chris Olave had three catches for 36 yards.
The Eagles (1-1) will get the ball to start the second half. Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson left the game to be examined for a concussion.
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 22, 2024 in the Caesars Superdome.