Saints defense vs. Eagles rushing attack: Who has the edge?

The Saints (2-0) are off to such a good start that there has been no kill in New Orleans in 18 days as of Friday. Can the Saints keep that momentum going against Philadelphia (1-1) and dual threat/nemesis Jalen Hurts on Sunday in New Orleans? And more importantly, can the kill-free streak remain intact?

Just two years ago, New Orleans was proclaimed the murder capital of the United States with 41 murders per 100,000 residents, according to the Wall Street JournalAnd New Orleans has often held that title in previous years.

But for 18 days and nights, from September 2 to 19, there were no murders, according to the Metropolitan Crime Commission, which calls it the city’s longest murder-free streak since the commission began tracking killings itself in 2019.

“Nobody is claiming victory and saying we can go home and celebrate,” MCC Director Rafael Goyeneche told WDSU TV in New Orleans. “We’ve had 10, 12 and 15 days, but never 18.”

But the city that cares, and often the law, forgets it, will accept it. And some say it’s thanks to the Saints’ start to the season, which has led the NFL in points scored at 45.5 per game, and quarterback Derek Carr, who leads the NFL in passer rating (142.4) and quarterback rating (96.2).

It’s worth noting that the unbeaten streak began on September 2, and the Saints didn’t start the season until September 8 with a 47-10 win over Carolina. But don’t bother New Orleans fans with technicalities.

Meanwhile, the Saints made a different kind of impact in the Dallas area after their 44-19 victory Sunday in Arlington.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mistakenly emailed a statement to various Texas media outlets on Thursday that was supposed to be used for training purposes only, and the person who wrote it got noticed:

“FEMA announces that federal disaster assistance is available to the State of Texas to supplement recovery efforts in areas impacted by the New Orleans Saints on September 15, 2024.”

FEMA’s press office quickly issued an explanation of the “training” and an apology.

New Orleans is having so much fun that it is now even mocking a FEMA measure, which most residents have hated with a passion since its well-documented slow response and mismanagement during and after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Can the Big Easy still have fun? The Superdome will be buzzing on Sunday.

But that could all change quickly if the Saints defense doesn’t perform better against Hurts than it did the last two times he played against New Orleans.

Two years ago, as the city’s homicide rate soared, Hurts rushed 18 times for 69 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 40-29 win at Philadelphia. He also completed 13 of 24 passes for 147 yards. And in the 2020 season, Hurts rushed 18 times for 106 yards and completed 17 of 30 for another 167 yards and a touchdown in a 24-21 win at Philadelphia.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen was New Orleans’ defensive coordinator for both games. The Saints beat Philadelphia 20-10 last season, but Hurts did not play because of injury.

If the Saints can stop Hurts, this season could be special. And as you know, Super Bowl LIX will be held in New Orleans on February 9, 2025.

“Hurts’ ability to hurt you — no pun intended — with his feet makes him a tough opponent,” Allen said. “And we’ll have a better idea of ​​where we stand after this.”

The Saints were terrible at stopping running quarterbacks last season. The Saints allowed an NFL-high 5.4 yards per carry to quarterbacks in 2023. Chicago rookie Tyson Bagent rushed for 70 yards on eight carries in a 24-17 loss to the Saints. Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence rushed for 59 yards on eight carries in a 31-24 win, and Minnesota’s Joshua Dobbs rushed for 44 yards on eight carries and a touchdown in a 27-19 victory.

“I think we’ve improved,” Allen said.

The Saints acquired Kansas City linebacker Willie Gay in the offseason, and it didn’t hurt that he spied Hurts in Super Bowl LVII in 2022. Hurts still gained 70 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns, but the Chiefs won 38-35.

“Philadelphia has been one of the best football teams in our league,” Allen said.

And they got even better by signing veteran running back Saquon Barkley from the Giants in the offseason. Barkley is fourth in the NFL in rushing with 204 yards, while Hurts has 118 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. He gained 85 yards on 13 carries in the 22-21 home loss to Atlanta on Monday night.

Barkley rushed for 109 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 34-29 victory over Green Bay in the season opener in Brazil.

“Now they can use Saquon in that sense with counterattacks and Hurts in the back,” Allen said. “It forces you to play 11-on-11. They have a really tough system.”

Allen and the Saints have had issues with Hurts twice, with many players remaining on the roster. Now add Barkley and you’re giving the Eagles an advantage, no matter how good the Saints and their fans feel about their team and city on Sunday.

“He’s perfectly capable of throwing from the pocket and delivering the ball at the right time,” Allen said. “And yet when he starts to scramble, it makes life difficult on the back end.”

The Saints will be looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2013, and the party is going to get even bigger. Better call FEMA.