NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the New Orleans Saints in a pivotal Week 3 matchup this Sunday. The Saints are coming off a drubbing of the Dallas Cowboys in which their offense appeared to be unstoppable. Can the Eagles find a way to slow Derek Carr and company down?
The Eagles are coming off a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons due to penalties and questionable play-calling. They have to right the ship but it will be a hard task against another tough opponent. The goal for the Eagles is stopping the run and finding a way to get pressure on Carr. Without AJ Brown again this week, who will step up in his absence?
Here are 3 keys to victory for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Stop The Damn Run
The NFL was once considered a pass-happy league but this season, 17 teams are averaging 120+ yards per game on the ground. The Eagles are giving up 157 yards per contest. While the blame can be placed on the young players up front, the truth is Vic Fangio is only rushing 3-4 players leaving RBs room to get to the second level. That’s why Zack Baun is one of the top tacklers in the NFL after 2 games.
Alvin Kamara is playing as if he wants the MVP and the Eagles must remind him that he’s been involved in trade discussions for the past two seasons. Stopping Kamara should be priority No. 1. If he gets loose, this will be a long day for the Eagles’ defense.
Get To The QB
The Eagles allowed a 36-year-old QB to shred them in the final minutes of a game they desperately needed. Derek Carr and the Saints’ offense are on a tear to begin the season and this will be a true test of this new look secondary and defensive scheme of Fangio.
The Eagles have registered just 3 sacks on the season so far. That’s not going to cut it. While passing is down around the league, that still doesn’t mean that sacking the QB has taken a backseat. The Eagles may get to Carr and hit him often to knock him off rhythm.
Get Dotson Involved
There is no AJ at least for another few weeks. That means that Kellen Moore has to find a way to get others involved in the offense. Jalen Hurts cannot rely on just DeVonta Smith. Last week against the Falcons, Smith caught 7 passes for 76 yards and a TD but where was everyone else, most notably, where the hell was Jahan Dotson?
Dotson, over from a trade with the Washington Commanders this offseason has been relatively quiet in an Eagles uniform. He has 2 targets for just 1 reception and 6 yards. Against the Saints, he has to do more if they are to have a chance. He has to take the pressure off of Smith on the opposite side of the field. No one can fill Brown’s role but Dotson needs to at least try.
