After putting up a season-high 438 total net yards in a dramatic 26-20 prime time overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys on October 4, the New Orleans Saints and the NFL's sixth-ranked offense will find out quickly if they can continue their efficiency when they face the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. The Eagles are coming off a 23-20 loss at the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
The Saints will look to keep the momentum of their first win of the season, when they recorded their highest offensive and point totals of the season. New Orleans rebounded from a 13-10 third quarter deficit to jump to a 20-13 lead, withstood a game-tying touchdown by Dallas and a missed field at the end of regulation, when 13 seconds into overtime, QB Drew Brees completed a pass to RB C.J. Spiller that he turned into an 80-yard touchdown. Defensively, three rookies (LB Stephone Anthony, DT Tyeler Davison and LB Hau'oli Kikaha) each recorded a sack in the game for the first time in a non-strike contest in franchise history since takedowns became an official statistic in 1982.
The dramatic win was the first overtime victory by New Orleans in prime time in franchise history and only the second time that a touchdown pass was thrown in an overtime contest by the Saints.
After missing his first career start due to injury in Week Three, Brees completed 33 of 41 passes for 359 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 119.4 passer rating. Brees' game-winning touchdown to Spiller was the 400th of his career, ranking fifth in NFL record books. He spread the ball around to nine different players, with WR Willie Snead making six grabs for 89 yards.
RB Mark Ingram tied for the club's receiving lead with six grabs for 51 yards to complement his 17 carries for 77 yards (4.5 avg.). Ingram is quietly enjoying his most productive season as a professional, ranking 10th in the NFL in total yards from scrimmage (407) and leading running backs in receiving with 22 grabs for 203 yards.
Defensively, New Orleans will be looking to continue the progress they recorded against Dallas, where they surrendered only 335 total net yards, including only 220 through the air.
New Orleans will also look to establish an edge on special teams. The contest will feature two of the NFL's elite punt returners in Saints rookie Marcus Murphy and former Saint Darren Sproles, each of who have brought back a punt for a touchdown in 2015.
