The New Orleans Saints experienced a harsh setback in Week 3, suffering a 15-12 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles after a strong start to the season. The Saints, known for their dynamic offense, struggled largely due to injuries on their offensive line, with center Erik McCoy and guard Cesar Ruiz leaving the game. Quarterback Derek Carr faced challenges under pressure, managing only 142 passing yards and averaging 5.7 yards per attempt.

Despite the loss, the Saints can take positives from their 2-1 record, a better outcome than many anticipated. The team’s performance highlighted the importance of establishing a run game to set up the pass, a critical component of their strategy under new coordinator Klint Kubiak. Head coach Dennis Allen acknowledged the need to improve defensively, particularly in limiting explosive plays.