Sep 16, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) warms up before action against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
The Eagles haven't fared well against the New Orleans Saints over the last 20 years, but Drew Brees and Sean Payton are long gone, and coming into the season it looked like Week 3 would be a likely win.
Instead, the Saints have scored an NFL-best 91 points through the first two weeks of the season, throttling the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys.
On the flip side, the Eagles pulled off an uneven win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, before the Atlanta Falcons upset them at home in Week 2, stealing a 22-21 win late.
All of a sudden, Nick Sirianni's squad will be anywhere from two-and-a-half to three-point underdogs in a Week 3 game that feels relatively important as they try to build momentum. Can the Eagles pull off the upset in one of the most difficult opposing environments at Caesars Superdome? Here are game picks from our On Pattison staff members.
Tim Kelly
Score: Saints 27, Eagles 20
Game MVP: Rashid Shaheed
If this matchup was in December, it might go down differently. But A.J. Brown is out for the Eagles, and Vic Fangio's defense is still very much a work in progress. That doesn't bode well for the Eagles as they prepare to face a Saints team that is off to a scalding-hot start. Expect Derek Carr to connect with Shaheed for a 50+ touchdown for the third consecutive game that will contribute to the Eagles falling to 1-2.
Anthony SanFilippo
Score: Saints 30, Eagles 24
Game MVP: Alvin Kamara
Until the Eagles can show that they can stop the run and/or get pressure on the quarterback, I’m going to keep picking high-scoring affairs. The Saints offense has been scary good for two weeks, and while they have probably been playing over their heads a bit, there’s been nothing yet from the Eagles front seven to create a shred of doubt that it will continue that way for New Orleans at home this week. Also, this is a big game for Jalen Hurts, regardless of outcome. He just needs to put together a complete game and not have his inconsistencies be more evident than his successes.
CARR TO SHAHEED 70 YARDS 🔥
📺: #NOvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/GV0MW5cduw
John Foley
Score: Saints 31, Eagles 27
Game MVP: Alvin Kamara
My early, gut-instinct reaction was that the Saints would beat the brakes off the Eagles this week. But Vegas has this as a close game. And after some time to calm my emotions from the Falcons loss, I agree. With players on both sides of the ball learning new schemes, the Birds are a team that should look better each week. Here in game three, though? It’s hard to see their defense progressing enough in six days to contain the Saints. And without A.J. Brown, the offense probably can’t win it alone. Saints get the W.
Austin Krell
Score: Saints 28, Eagles 17
Game MVP: Alvin Kamara
The outcome of Monday’s shocking fall-from-in-front loss to the Falcons is, to me, a case of randomness in sports. Hard to grip and accept, but just a part of it. But, the way it happened wasn’t that random. The Falcons got down the field in how many plays to score that winning TD? I don’t trust the Eagles’ defense right now. Just like Bijan Robinson averaged 6.9 yards per carry, I’d guess Alvin Kamara will have a similarly fun day at work.
