As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for their highly anticipated matchup against the New Orleans Saints in the iconic Superdome, excitement is in the air. This Week 3 clash promises to be a thrilling encounter, and to gain insights, I reached out to our counterparts at Canal Street Chronicles. The knowledgeable Nic Jennings generously provided valuable insights into this upcoming showdown. Let’s delve into the intriguing responses he shared. [For my answers regarding the Eagles, make sure to stay tuned to CSC.]

1 – Discover the Key Factors Behind the Saints’ Explosive Offense and Their Surprising Success

Three crucial elements have significantly contributed to the Saints’ impressive early offensive performance this season.

Firstly, Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak has implemented a unique strategy that incorporates pre-snap movement and play action, which has dramatically transformed the Saints’ offensive dynamics. Last year, under former OC Pete Carmichael, the team ranked last in the league for play-action rate at a mere 14.4%. In stark contrast, through the first two weeks of this season, Kubiak has orchestrated a remarkable increase, leading the league with a play-action rate of 52.3%. His creative approach, utilizing pre-snap movement and play action on 42% of drop-backs—10% above the previous highest season-long rate in NFL history—has left opposing defenses scrambling. No other team has come close to this level of play-action usage in the early 2024 season.

Moreover, Kubiak adopted the mantra “shoot your bullets” during the offseason, emphasizing the importance of utilizing every weapon at his disposal—a strategy that was not effectively executed under Carmichael last season. So far, we have witnessed Kubiak’s imaginative play-calling through diverse personnel groupings. Whether he’s deploying Rashid Shaheed and Taysom Hill in the backfield or aligning Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara as receivers, Kubiak consistently devises schemes that baffle defenses. This innovative strategy not only keeps drives alive but also maximizes the strengths of his players, enabling them to thrive on the field.

In addition, the Saints’ rushing attack has emerged as an unexpected powerhouse this season, significantly enhancing their offensive capabilities and easing the pressure on quarterback Derek Carr. After parting ways with former RB coach Joel Thomas following nine seasons, the Saints brought in former Los Angeles Chargers RB coach Derrick Foster as his replacement. Following training camp, it became evident that the team needed a boost in the backfield. However, through the initial two games, New Orleans boasts one of the league’s most potent rushing offenses, spearheaded by star RB Alvin Kamara and the versatile Taysom Hill. Currently, the Saints are averaging an impressive 185 rushing yards per game, showcasing their dominance on the ground against their early-season opponents.

Entering the season, it was widely anticipated that the arrival of Kubiak would yield improvements in the Saints’ offensive performance. However, few could have predicted the extent of success they have achieved thus far. The hope is that they can sustain this momentum and carry it forward throughout the remainder of the season, solidifying their status as a formidable force in the league.

2 – Evaluating the Saints’ Potential: Can Derek Carr and Dennis Allen Lead Them to Greatness?

The crux of the matter lies in the consistency and effectiveness of the Saints’ offense. Carr and the offensive unit must remain focused and composed, resisting the temptation to let the spotlight and hype cloud their judgment. Both Dennis Allen and Kubiak have stressed their dissatisfaction despite being pleased with the team’s execution during the first two weeks of the season.

Given their past performance history, it is understandable why some people might be hesitant to fully trust this head coach-quarterback duo to lead New Orleans into Super Bowl contention. Nonetheless, it is evident that Dennis Allen has grown significantly this offseason as both a leader and playcaller. His defensive unit consistently performs at a high level, providing a solid foundation for the team. For Carr, Kubiak’s strategic plan has liberated him, allowing him to thrive. If he continues to perform at the level he has shown in the early season, the Saints could very well emerge as legitimate contenders.

Should New Orleans secure a victory against Philadelphia on Sunday, I see no reason to doubt the authenticity of this team. Prior to Week 2’s matchup against Dallas, I mentioned that a win in Jerry’s World would significantly reshape my perspective on their potential for the 2024 season—and they have certainly delivered on that promise.

3 – Identifying Potential Weaknesses: What Can the Eagles Exploit Against the Saints?

Historically, Dennis Allen has faced challenges when defending against dual-threat quarterbacks, and Jalen Hurts has proven to be a particularly troublesome matchup in recent years. In two games against New Orleans, Hurts has amassed 175 rushing yards and scored three rushing touchdowns. Additionally, last season, former Minnesota Vikings QB Josh Dobbs and former UDFA QB Tyson Bagent of the Chicago Bears both exploited the Saints’ defense with their mobility.

One of the X-factors to watch in this matchup is former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay, who excelled as a QB spy during his tenure in Kansas City. Gay, familiar with both Jalen Hurts and the Eagles after competing against them in Super Bowl 57, could play a pivotal role. The combination of Hurts and Saquon Barkley poses the biggest concern for the Saints’ defense. However, Allen’s squad has shown promise thus far, and it is hoped they have prioritized neutralizing Hurts and limiting Barkley’s impact in their practice sessions this week.

4 – Analyzing the Impact of the 2022 Eagles-Saints Trade: Who Came Out Ahead?

In retrospect, my perspective on the Eagles-Saints trade leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft may have differed. However, after observing the first two games of the 2024 season, I personally would not alter the outcome of that trade if given the choice. Wide receiver Chris Olave has been nothing short of spectacular during his tenure in New Orleans, recording back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in his rookie and sophomore years. He dedicated much of the offseason to strength training, adding approximately six pounds to enhance his contested catching and yards after catch abilities. Meanwhile, Trevor Penning seems to be finding his footing in the NFL after transitioning to right tackle and allowing only two pressures thus far. In the Saints’ impressive victory in Dallas, Penning surrendered just one pressure to the highly regarded edge rusher, Micah Parsons.

Regarding the players the Eagles acquired in the trade, A.J. Brown is an undeniable force, and Jalen Carter is a standout on the defensive line. It’s premature for me to form a strong opinion on rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean due to the limited sample size we’ve seen, but I believe he has the potential to become an excellent player in this league.

However, Jordan Jackson and Kyron Johnson have not yet established themselves in the professional arena as initially anticipated, with Jackson currently a member of the Denver Broncos and Johnson now with the Tennessee Titans.

5 – Game Prediction: Who Will Prevail in This High-Stakes Matchup?

Trusting my instincts, I predict that the Saints will narrowly defeat the Eagles with a score of 35-32 in the dome this Sunday afternoon. I anticipate an explosive shootout that will come down to the wire, although the Philadelphia defense has yet to convince me of its ability to contend with this high-octane New Orleans offense in the final moments. This game serves as a critical test for the Saints as they seek to define their identity as a football team this season.