Week 6 Game Recap: Philadelphia Eagles 24, New Orleans Saints 27

What you need to know

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles came into the game as the NFL’s top-rated offense, but sputtered in the first half and were only able to put three points on the board against the Saints’ defense. McNabb caught fire briefly in the second half, throwing two touchdown passes to tie the score, and leading a drive which put the Eagles ahead briefly in the fourth quarter . Reggie Brown caught one sixty yard touchdown pass which included significant after-catch yardage, and rushed for a second score early in the 4th quarter. L.J. Smith caught the Eagles’ only other touchdown on a play-action bootleg.

Brian Westbrook ran well, gaining several crucial first downs, and managed 72 yards rushing with just three passes for three yards. The Saints’ defense did a good job of keeping him in check, especially on screen passes. Frequently, McNabb found no one open because it seemed as if the Saints knew exactly what was coming.

Reggie Brown delivered with big game, compiling 139 rushing and receiving yards; He caught a 60 yard pass, in which he utilized his speed to run past and around the Saints’ defenders en route to the end zone. He was scored a 15 yard touchdown on an end around, and was targeted ten times in the passing game.

New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees was very effective in a big win for the Saints. He came out firing in the first half, completing 12 of his 15 attempts. He threw two touchdowns passes, and did a good job of spreading the ball, connecting with ten different receivers during the game. He showed exceptional clock management skill on the final drive of the game, driving the team from its own 26 yard line. The winning field goal was kicked as time expired, leaving the Eagles’ offense no opportunity to get back on the field after the 8:26 mark.

The best receiver on the field was Joe Horn, who was able to score his first two touchdowns of the season. Horn eclipsed the 100 yard mark receiving, which was also a first for him this season.

New Orleans’ running game was not as effective as its passing game. The running back tandem of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAlister combined for less than 100 rushing yards, but they were utilized well in the passing game, combining for ten passes between them.

What you ought to know

QB Donovan McNabb, Pass: 19 - 32 - 247 - 2 TD / 1 INT

McNabb passed for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but played better by far in the second half. He went eight for 17 for 67 passing yards and one interception in the first half. In the second half, he tried the deep play multiple times and used his pump fake effectively; favoring wide receiver Reggie Brown the majority of the time on long passes. Although Reggie Brown was targeted most frequently, McNabb found seven different receivers. McNabb was proficient when rolling out of the pocket, as evidenced by his second touchdown pass to L.J. Smith. McNabb turned his game up in the second half, throwing two touchdown passes, and putting up 180 passing yards. McNabb was intercepted for the second time this season.

RB Brian Westbrook, Rush: 16 - 72 - 0, Rec: 3 - 3 - 0 (4 targets)

With the New Orleans Defense able to shut down the screen pass which is usually the bread and butter for the Eagles, Westbrook had trouble getting much going in the game. This game was the first game of the season, not including the game he sat out against the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago, in which Westbrook did not reach the end zone.

RB Correll Buckhalter, Rush: 1 - 5 - 0, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (1 targets)

Buckhalter did not see a lot of playing time, running once for just five yards and catching one pass for ten yards.

RB Thomas Tapeh, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

Tapeh made one reception for six yards.

WR Reggie Brown, Rush: 1 - 15 - 1, Rec: 6 - 121 - 1 (8 targets)

Brown had a great game, compiling 136 total yards, and two touchdowns. His first touchdown reception was distinguished by his run after the catch, as he zigged and zagged his way into the end zone. His running ability was used to score his second touchdown, as he was tossed the ball on an end-around and ran 15 yards for the touchdown. Brown was targeted most often by McNabb, catching six of the eight passes thrown his way.

WR Greg Lewis, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (2 targets)

Lewis was only targeted twice, making just one catch in the fourth quarter for 11 yards.

WR Jason Avant, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (3 targets)

Avant was only able to make one reception.

WR Hank Baskett (7 targets)

Baskett was targeted seven times in the passing game; however he was not able to make any receptions. Several of the passes were not off target, but there were at least three passes thrown to Baskett which should have been caught.

WR Donte Stallworth

Stallworth did not play due to his injured hamstring.

TE L.J. Smith, Rec: 4 - 48 - 1 (5 targets)

Smith had a good game, catching a touchdown pass in the third quarter. Once again Smith caught nearly everything thrown his way, and he was able to stack up 48 receiving yard on four receptions.

TE Matt Schobel, Rec: 2 - 41 - 0 (2 targets)

Schobel had a big reception in the third quarter that went for 49 yards including a nice run, however a holding penalty during the run after catch, negated some of the gain. He finished the game with two catches for 42 yards.

PK David Akers 1 - 1 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 6 points

Akers was able to convert on his only field goal opportunity, a 47 yard attempt to put the Eagles on the board, and also converted all three of his extra point attempts.

PHI Rush Defense

The rush defense of the Eagles did a great job, allowing just 97 yards on the ground, and limiting the two star New Orleans running backs to just 3.8 yard per carry between them. They did a great job in containing Reggie Bush, allowing him just 25 yards on 11 carries. The Saints were so effective in the passing game, that the running game just had to be good enough to keep the Eagles’ defense honest, and it was.

PHI Pass Defense

The Eagles’ pass defense had little answer for Drew Brees and the Saints’ offense, surrendering 275 yards and three touchdowns. Lito Sheppard and Darwin Walker were able to intercept Brees, but that was the only bright spot for the Eagles’ pass defense.

QB Drew Brees, Pass: 27 - 37 - 275 - 3 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 4 - -1 - 0

Brees started the game off very well, having a first half stat line of 12 of 15 for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Brees was very accurate throughout the game, completing 73% of his passes. He targeted Joe Horn many times in the deep passing game, and was able to connect on a 48 yard bomb to tie the game for the Saints in the fourth quarter. Drew Brees’ phenomenal game included a fourth quarter in which he completed 11 of 12 passing attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown. This drive lead to the game winning field goal with no time left on the clock.

RB Deuce McAllister, Rush: 12 - 64 - 0, Rec: 6 - 36 - 0 (7 targets)

McAllister out-performed Bush, getting 12 carries to Bush’s 11, and he was able to rush for 64 yards, 39 yards more than Bush. McAllister was a key part of the offense on the game’s final drive, running the ball up the middle and gaining key first downs. In the passing game, McAllister caught six passes for 36 yards.

RB Reggie Bush, Rush: 11 - 25 - 0, Rec: 4 - 35 - 0 (5 targets)

Bush had 11 carries for 35 yards and four receptions for 35 yards. It is a good sign for Bush owners that he saw significant time in a close game, but he was limited to a disappointing 2.27 yards per carry. Bush, who again ran mostly to the outside, was not as effective as McAllister.

WR Joe Horn, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rec: 6 - 110 - 2 (10 targets)

Horn had a terrific day, catching his first two touchdowns of the year, including a 49 yard bomb early in the fourth quarter to tie the game. On the play before that touchdown, the Saints looked to Joe Horn deep on a pass that was incomplete. They must, however, have seen something they liked, because on the very next play he was able to get wide open for the 49 yard score.

WR Marques Colston, Rec: 4 - 40 - 1 (4 targets)

Colston, the rookie wide receiver from Hofstra, was able to catch three balls for 28 yards, including a seven yard touchdown pass that put the Saints ahead in the first quarter.

WR Jamal Jones, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Jones was able to make one catch for eight yards in the game.

TE Mark Campbell, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets)

Campbell only made one reception, but it was one for a big third down for the Saints late in the fourth quarter, keeping their drive alive.

TE Ernie Conwell, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

Conwell hauled in just one pass for seven yards.

TE Nate Lawrie, Rec: 1 - 17 - 0 (1 targets)

Lawrie caught the only pass thrown to him for 17 yards.

PK John Carney 2 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points

Carney converted on all three of his extra points, and two field goals including a 31 yard field goal as time expired to win the game.

NO Rush Defense

The Saints’ rush defense did a great job against the Eagles, allowing only 99 yards on the ground. They were also able to keep Westbrook in check for the game, allowing him just 72 yards on the ground.

NO Pass Defense

The Saints’ pass defense did a great job of sniffing out the screen passes, which is one of the Eagles’ biggest weapons on offense. However, they did let up a big play to Reggie Brown that went for a 60 yard touchdown and allowed Brown to go over 120 yards receiving on the day. The defense was also able to do something only one other team this year has done, intercept a Donovan McNabb pass.