Adrian Fedkiw
That was easy.
Drew Brees tossed four touchdown passes and the New Orleans Saints routed the Philadelphia Eagles 48-7 on Sunday afternoon at the Superdome.
New Orleans outgained Philadelphia 546-196. In fact, the Saints outgained the Eagles 237-15 in just over a quarter of action and led 17-0 after Mark Ingram waltzed in for a 14-yard touchdown. Philadelphia got back into the game following Josh Adams’ 28-yard TD run and forced a three-and-out on New Orleans’ ensuing possession, but Carson Wentz was sacked on a 3rd-and-3 on the Eagles’ next series and the Saints were off and running from there.
This is where the conversation shifts to Doug Pederson.
The slow starts have been an all-too-familiar theme for the Eagles this season. They came into the game scoring 21 first quarter points all year, by far the worst in the NFL (2.3 points) after finishing second in the category last year (6.4 points).
Philadelphia started the contest with a three-and-out, the sixth time this season that has occurred. The second series was also a three-and-out and Wentz threw an interception to begin the third trek. The 3rd-and-3 call at the 4:13 mark was peculiar as well. The Eagles moved the ball into New Orleans territory at the 46, but Pederson called a slow developing play-action pass from under center with an offensive line that wasn’t giving Wentz any time to throw over the first 26 minutes of the game.
This was the result.
Still can't believe this play-call on 3rd-and-3 pic.twitter.com/w5iyUyAkxt
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 19, 2018
The Saints went on to score 31 straight points.
FACT: You @CantGuardMike.
?: FOX #GoSaints pic.twitter.com/p6sciqHAVu
— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2018
Philadelphia’s secondary came into the game already banged up at cornerback and it got worse on Sunday. Ronald Darby is already out for the year with an ACL tear and Jalen Mills couldn’t go with a foot injury. The Bird lost three more cornerbacks after Avonte Maddox and Rasul Douglas suffered knee injuries, while Sidney Jones left with a hamstring.
Center Jason Kelce (elbow), Jordan Hicks (calf) and long-snapper Rick Lovato (head) also exited with injuries.
Brees finished 22-of-30 for 363 yards. Mark Ingram carried the ball 16 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns, Michael Thomas caught four passes for 92 yards and a touchdown, Tre’Quan Smith totaled 157 yards and a score on 10 receptions and Alvin Kamara added 71 yards on the ground to go with a 38-yard TD catch.
It was a big struggle for Wentz, who was 19-of-33 for 156 yards with a trio of interceptions.
Underthrown, double coverage and this deep shot by Wentz is picked off by Marshon Lattimore pic.twitter.com/lqCoecFmBL
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 18, 2018
The one positive coming out of this game is Josh Adams, who impressed again, but still isn’t getting enough carries. He had 53 yards on seven totes, including this 28-yard score.
Josh Adams 28-yard TD up the middle, nice block by Brandon Brooks to help spring him free. pic.twitter.com/CPE3wN1CSF
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 18, 2018
The 41-point defeat was the largest by a defending Super Bowl champion. The Eagles get the New York Giants at home next Sunday.
You can follow Adrian Fedkiw on Twitter (@AdrianFedkiw) and e-mail him at [email protected]. Subscribe to The Bitter Birds on YouTube here.
Follow Philly Influencer on Twitter (@PHL_Influencer), Facebook and Instagram.