NFL picks, predictions Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints

Ryan OLeary

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NFL picks, predictions Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints image

The Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints will square off in Week 3 at the Caesars Superdome in a matchup of two teams suddenly heading in opposite directions. 

On a short week, the Eagles (1-1) are looking to rebound from Monday night’s late collapse against Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints (2-0), meanwhile, have been the most impressive team in football through two weeks, leading the NFL — by a mile — with a plus-62 point differential. 

The Eagles’ passing game struggled without A.J. Brown in their 22-21 loss to Atlanta, and the star wide receiver told ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters that he expects to miss the Saints game as well. The Saints should expect a heavy dose of wide receiver DeVonta Smith, with the Eagles' offense running through back Saquon Barkley and QB Jalen Hurts in the ground game.

Philadelphia’s pass rush was also nonexistent on Monday night, allowing an immobile Cousins to stand in the pocket and deliver some back-breaking throws, including a 41-yard touchdown to Darnell Mooney that fried an Eagles all-out blitz. Per PFF’s premium stats, Cousins was hit just once in the game — a Milton Williams sack in the third quarter — and the QB was unbothered during Atlanta's game-winning scoring drive in the final 2 minutes of regulation.

If the Eagles fail to disrupt the Saints’ scorching-hot offense, they could be in for a long afternoon. New Orleans has scored 91 points through two games, with quarterback Derek Carr leading 15 consecutive scoring drives to open the season, a new NFL record.

NFL picks, predictions Week 3: Eagles at Saints

Bender: "The Eagles are coming off a short week, and they face the most surprising team of the bunch. Derek Carr leads the NFL with a 142.4 passer rating with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and that comes at 11.4 yards per attempt. The Eagles have the look of a more balanced team with the addition of Saquon Barkley. That has taken pressure off Jalen Hurts. The Eagles were 4-4 S/U and  3-4-1 ATS as an away favorite last season.”

Iyer: "The Eagles will be scheming their defense well with Vic Fangio to cause some issues for red-hot Derek Carr. The Saints won't be able to run as easily with Alvin Kamara, and the Eagles will find ways to make Carr uncomfortable with pressure. The Eagles' offensive line will then respond for Jalen Hurts, as his legs and big arm make the difference in key spots.”

Cluff: "The Saints have impressed in wins over the Panthers and Cowboys, but the Eagles will slow down Alvin Kamara and New Orleans' offense.”

MacMillan: "I'm afraid the Saints may be a legitimately good football team this year. Klint Kubiak has completely changed this offense and it has been the best unit in the NFL through the first two weeks. While I don't think they can keep up the same pace of success, I do think they're going to be a playoff contender. They lead the NFL in Net Yards per Play (+2.4) through the first two weeks. Meanwhile, the Eagles' offense is still a solid unit, but their defense has been abysmal the first two weeks. They allowed the Packers to average 7.1 yards per play against them in Week 1 and then allowed the Falcons to gain 6.6 yards per play against them in Week 2. They can't stop the pass and they can't stop the run. Having to face the high-flying Saints offense is a nightmare for the Eagles defense this week. The Saints go marching on and improve to 3-0.”

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.