Not-So Easy Does It

PHILADELPHIA — It wasn’t exactly easy in the Big Easy for the Eagles, but the visiting team Sunday squeaked out a gutsy win amid coaching blunders, key injuries, turnovers and a special teams gaffe, defeating the New Orleans Saints 15-12 and improving to 2-1 on the season.

The Eagles received heroic performances from tight Dallas Goedert, who reeled in 10-of-11 targets for 170 yards, and running back Saquon Barkley, who registered 147 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in addition to a two-point conversion.

Geodert’s 61-yard reception on the Eagles’ final drive, enabled by three Saints defenders colliding, set up Barkley’s 4-yard touchdown run with one minute, on second to play in the game.

Barkley’s two-point conversion run put the Eagles up 15-12, and Saints quarterback Derek Carr ended the Saints’ comeback hope when he was picked off on the ensuing drive.

Defensively, Eagles linebacker Zack Baun led the way with 13 tackles, but defensive tackle Jalen Carter proved most dominant.

GETTY IMAGES: Dallas Goedert’s career day helped the Eagles escape New Orleans with a dramatic win.

Let’s get on with the observations:

* Eagles inactives included WR A.J. Brown, QB Tanner McKee (3rd QB), CB Eli Ricks, LB Devin White, OL Darian Kinnard, OL Trevor Keegan and DT Byron Young.

* S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who popped up on the injury report late in the week with a foot injury was active. Given White’s previous success in defending Saints RB Alvin Kamara as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — coupled with the Eagles’ inability to generate much in the way of pass rush, it was a tad curious to see White listed as an inactive.

* The last we saw of the Eagles’ defense was a unit reeling, surrendering a game-winning 70-yard scoring drive to Kirk Cousins and the Falcons and intensely falling under the microscope in the week leading up. But a Vic Fangio-led defense that allowed an average of 6.4 yards per carry to opposing running backs through two games opened with aggressiveness and ferocity, almost as if it had something to prove. Anchored primarily by DT Jalen Carter, along with fellow DT Milton Williams and LB Zack Baun, the Eagles attacked downhill and bottled up Saints RB Alvin Kamara, forcing a 15-play, 54-yard drive to settle for a 34-yard field goal.

* The defense opened in a 5-man front and rotated personnel along the defensive line, with reserve DTs Moro Ojomo and Thomas Booker working in.

* Jalen Hurts, on the Eagles’ second offensive possession, tossed his second red-zone interception in three weeks and has now thrown a pick in seven consecutive games. On a 3rd-and-8 from the New Orleans 11-yard-line, Hurts rifled an ill-advised pass over the middle intended for WR DeVonta Smith. But veteran S Tyrann Mathieu read it the whole way and picked it off. Hurts can’t even attempt that throw in that moment. Another unwise decision from the Eagles’ QB.

On the ensuing offensive possession, Hurts committed a Carson Wentz-like fumble, as he was strip-sacked from behind by Saints DE Carl Granderson. For all of his late-game heroics and ability to lead by example, Hurts has become a turnover machine.

* I thought the oft-scrutinized Eagles LBs had a strong showing, filling gaps, attacking downhill and flowing to the football. Both Baun and Nakobe Dean read and diagnosed well, and took advantage of stout play in front of them along the defensive line, staying clean and reaping the benefits. Baun, for his part, was all over the field, reminiscent of his Week 1 emergence.

* Even on Alvin Kamara’s 27-yard reception on a fourth quarter wheel route, with Baun in coverage, the Saints RB had the veteran LB was in the vicinity. For someone who has limited experience playing off-ball linebacker, Baun has quickly developed instincts, reactiveness and an innate ability to diagnose. Easy to see now what Fangio saw in free agency, as Baun has now played well over a three-week period.

* Baffling coaching decisions from HC Nick Sirianni, perhaps the most egregious occurring just before the break. With in-game replacements at right guard and right tackle – Tyler Steen and Fred Johnson, respectively – Sirianni opted to be aggressive on a 4th-and-1 at the New Orleans 15 with 14 seconds remaining. Saquon Barkley took the handoff and headed left but wa met by Saints LB Pete Werner and DE Chase Young. TE Grant Calcaterra was tossed aside, thwarting the play.

Sirianni also bypassed another opportunity to kick a field goal in the third quarter, skipping out on what would have been a 54-yard attempt. Hurts on a 4th-and-3 was sacked. Then on a 4th-and-11 from the Saints 42, Sirianni opted to bring on K Jake Elliott to attempt a 60-yard field goal rather than send Braden Mann out to pin them deep.

*While Hurts is hardly absolved from his shortcomings, the Eagles QB demonstrated confidence in a banged-up offensive line, hanging in the pocket and standing in to survey the defense. Adding to that, you have to tip your cap to reserve right guard Tyler Steen and right tackle Fred Johnson, who turned in gutsy efforts. It’s challenging enough coming in mid-game, but it’s even more daunting in the raucous environment of the Superdome.

* In addition to losing WR DeVonta Smith (concussion), RT Lane Johnson (concussion), RG Mekhi Becton (finger) and WR Britain Covey (shoulder), the Eagles overcame critical coaching blunders, turnovers and a blocked punt to upend the high-flying Saints at home. Credit leadership, belief, and buy-in throughout for staying the course. This is a game the Eagles lose last season.

* While it appeared a snowball effect was looming, the Eagles received big-time performances from two members of their offensive weaponry, TE Dallas Goedert and RB Saquon Barkley. Barkley, who racked up a pair of touchdowns – including a 65-yarder – as well as a two-point conversion, was the perfect closer. He answered the bell when the Eagles needed a spark. And perhaps no player entered the game under greater scrutiny than Goedert, who had been eerily quiet through the first two games. The 29-year-old tight end on 11 targets picked up 170 yards on 10 receptions. The veteran showcased his feel for finding the soft spots in the teeth of the Saints defense and flashed his ability to pull away from coverage.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.