New Orleans Saints vs Philadelphia Eagles Picks and Predictions September 22nd 2024

Surprising Saints hunting 3-0 start vs. Eagles

The Eagles and Saints will face off on Sunday, September 22nd at 1:00 ET on FOX. The Saints are the favorite with a money line of -147, and the Eagles’ money line sits at +123. The game, being played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, has the Saints favored by -2.5 points, with the over/under line at 49.5 points.

Philadelphia vs. New Orleans Key Information

• Teams: Eagles at Saints
• Where: Caesars Superdome New Orleans
• Date: Sunday, September 22nd
• Betting Odds NO -147 | PHI +123 O/U 49.5

The Eagles Can Win If…

The Eagles were favored by -5.5 going into their week two matchup against the Falcons, but they ended up losing 22-21 at home, bringing their record to 1-1 for the season. Philadelphia took a 7-6 lead at halftime, and Jalen Hurts’ 1-yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter gave them an 18-15 lead. However, the Falcons responded with a touchdown with 1:20 left, and the Eagles were unable to come back.The Eagles’ defense allowed Kirk Cousins to throw three touchdown passes to Darnell Mooney in the 4th quarter. Philadelphia’s only touchdown came in the 2nd quarter when Jalen Hurts connected with DeVonta Smith for a touchdown. The Eagles’ offense struggled to finish drives with touchdowns, as they had to settle for field goals instead of finding the endzone.

In the Eagles’ 22-21 loss to the Falcons, Philadelphia’s offense recorded 22 first downs and 186 rushing yards on 37 attempts. Jalen Hurts completed 76% of his passes for 183 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also led the team with 85 rushing yards on 13 attempts, including a rushing touchdown. Philadelphia’s offense averaged 6 yards per pass attempt.On the receiving end, DeVonta Smith led the Eagles with 76 yards and a touchdown. Smith had seven catches in the game. Hurts’ lone touchdown pass was to Smith. Saquon Barkley was Philadelphia’s leading rusher, gaining 95 yards on 22 carries. Barkley also added 21 receiving yards.

In their 22-21 loss to the Falcons, the Eagles allowed 152 rushing yards on just 28 attempts, giving up 5.4 yards per attempt on the ground. Despite holding Atlanta to a 22.2% third-down conversion rate, Philadelphia’s defense struggled to get off the field, allowing the Falcons to put together several long drives.The Eagles allowed 233 passing yards on 20 completions (69% completion rate), with two passing touchdowns. Philadelphia’s defense managed only one sack and had a negative differential in both QB hits and tackles for loss.

• Across Philadelphia’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 1-2 on the over-under.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Philadelphia has a record of 3-7. Their record against the spread in this stretch is 2-8 to go along with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Saints Can Win If…

Alvin Kamara had a big game for the Saints, rushing for three touchdowns and adding a receiving touchdown, as the Saints improved to 2-0 with a 44-19 win over the Cowboys. New Orleans came into the game as +6.5 point underdogs but easily covered the spread with their 25-point victory. The combined 63 points easily went over the line of 47 points.

The Saints got off to a fast start, leading 14-3 after the 1st quarter and extending their lead to 35-16 at halftime. Although the Cowboys scored first in the 3rd quarter, the Saints responded with a touchdown from Kamara. New Orleans capped off the win with a field goal in the 4th quarter.

Alvin Kamara had a big game for the Saints, rushing for 115 yards on 20 carries and scoring three touchdowns on the ground, while also adding a receiving touchdown. New Orleans’ offense put up 190 rushing yards and 24 first downs in their 44-19 win over the Cowboys. Despite not throwing the ball much, the Saints had a successful day through the air, with 242 yards on just 16 passing attempts.

Quarterback Derek Carr completed 11 of 16 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw one interception. Rashid Shaheed was the top receiver for New Orleans, with 96 yards and a touchdown, including a 70-yard reception. The Saints converted on 62.5% of their third-down attempts and allowed just one sack in the game.

In their 44-19 win over the Cowboys, the Saints’ defense picked off two passes and limited Dallas to 46.2% on third down conversions. Despite giving up 285 passing yards, they forced the Cowboys into a 66.7% completion percentage. New Orleans defended the run well, allowing just 68 yards on 21 attempts.The Saints also came away with three sacks and held Dallas to 19 points. Offensively, the Saints allowed 353 total yards, but the defense came up with key plays to help secure the victory.

• Through their last three games, the Saints have a record of 3-0. The team has also been excellent vs the spread, going 3-0. Their over-under record in these games was 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Saints have gone 6-4 straight up. Against the spread, New Orleans went 4-6 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Saints to cover as home favorites in their Week 3 matchup against the Eagles. Despite being the underdog at +2.5, we have the Saints coming out on top by a score of 24-19.

For this matchup, we have a lean towards the under, with a projected combined score of 43 points and the O/U line sitting at 49.5 points.

The New Orleans Saints have emerged as one of the NFL’s biggest surprises in the early stages of the season. After three consecutive playoff-less years, the Saints (2-0) have defied expectations with dominant performances, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) this Sunday.

Saints’ Early Success Defies Expectations

Coming off a 9-8 season with tempered hopes, the Saints have stunned fans and critics alike with their remarkable start. Despite entering the season with modest projections, New Orleans has blown past their opponents, boasting a 47-10 home victory over the Carolina Panthers and a 44-19 dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys.

Head coach Dennis Allen, now in his third season, credits the team’s success to a renewed sense of determination. “I think everybody took offense to how we were viewed, on the outside and in our own city,” Allen said. “We haven’t performed the way we’re capable of, so it was on us to make some changes and play better, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Derek Carr & Klint Kubiak Lead High-Flying Offense

A major factor in the Saints’ turnaround has been the explosive offense under the guidance of first-year offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Quarterback Derek Carr is enjoying a career resurgence, leading the NFL with a staggering 142.4 passer rating. Carr’s accurate passing and decision-making have made New Orleans the league’s highest-scoring team with 91 points—22 more than the second-highest team, the Arizona Cardinals.

Carr’s connection with running back Alvin Kamara has been crucial. Kamara currently leads the NFL in total yards from scrimmage (290) and touchdowns (5). His dual-threat ability as both a runner and receiver has kept defenses guessing, allowing the Saints to establish themselves as a dynamic, unpredictable offense.

Saints’ Defense Shows Steady Improvement

While the offense has garnered much of the attention, the Saints’ defense has quietly become one of the most efficient in the league. Ranked fourth in scoring defense (14.5 points allowed per game) and seventh in total yards allowed (273 yards per game), the defense has complemented the offensive firepower perfectly.

With defensive coordinator Joe Woods dialing up effective schemes, the Saints’ unit has made it difficult for opposing offenses to find a rhythm. They’ve limited big plays, ranking fourth in yards allowed per play (4.5).

Coach Allen, however, is preaching caution. “The focus for us is not to start patting ourselves on the back,” Allen remarked. “It’s a long season, and we’re only two games into it. We have to keep improving.”

Eagles Looking to Rebound from Heartbreaking Loss

On the other side of the field, the Eagles are trying to shake off a tough loss. Last week, Philadelphia squandered a late-game lead against the Atlanta Falcons, losing 22-21 after a dropped pass by running back Saquon Barkley. The late mistake prevented them from extending their lead to two scores, and the Falcons capitalized with a quick 65-second drive to steal the win.

Despite the setback, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is focusing on keeping his team mentally sharp. “My whole thing is, OK, we’ve got some adversity right now, but let’s have the right mindset and work hard,” Sirianni said. “You can’t change the past, but you can control how you approach the next game.”

Barkley, who joined the Eagles in the offseason after leaving the New York Giants, has otherwise had a solid start to his season. He’s currently ranked seventh in total yards from scrimmage (248) and has scored three touchdowns. The Eagles will need him to bounce back quickly if they hope to challenge the Saints’ defense.

Injury Concerns Loom for Both Teams

Injuries could play a pivotal role in this Sunday’s showdown. The Eagles’ offense may be without key playmaker A.J. Brown, who is nursing a hamstring injury and did not participate in the team’s walkthrough this week. Brown has hinted that he could miss multiple games, a significant blow to Philadelphia’s offensive plans.

New Orleans is dealing with injuries of their own. Tight end Taysom Hill, who is known for his versatility, missed practice on Wednesday due to a chest injury, while star cornerback Marshon Lattimore was limited with a hamstring issue. Lattimore’s availability could be a critical factor in slowing down Barkley and the Eagles’ receiving corps.

Game Outlook: Saints Aim to Stay Perfect

The Saints have momentum on their side as they look to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2013. With Carr playing at an elite level, Kamara dominating the backfield, and the defense holding its own, New Orleans will be a tough opponent for the Eagles, who are still finding their footing after last week’s heartbreaking loss.

The Eagles, meanwhile, will need to regroup and quickly adapt if they want to avoid slipping to 1-2. Sirianni’s squad has the talent but must overcome mental lapses and injuries to put themselves in a position to contend with a surging Saints team.

With both teams battling contrasting forms and internal challenges, Sunday’s matchup promises to be a defining moment for their early-season campaigns.

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