Following a late-game meltdown last week, the Philadelphia Eagles are eager to bounce back in Week 3. Yet the Eagles will be tasked with trying to stop the hottest team in the NFL.
The New Orleans Saints are coming off back-to-back blowout victories to start the regular season, while Philadelphia’s struggling defense will attempt to slow them down.
Here are five wild cards to watch for during Sunday’s matchup between the Eagles and Saints.
5 Wild Cards for Eagles vs. Saints in Week 3
Jahan Dotson, WR, Eagles
When the Eagles ruled out star wide receiver A.J. Brown due to a hamstring injury in Week 2, many expected Jahan Dotson to step up. Yet Dotson failed to do so, as he hauled in just one reception for six yards against the Atlanta Falcons.
Dotson was third with 30 routes for the Eagles in Week 2, according to TruMedia. Only DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert ran more routes for the Eagles in Week 2. The concerning part is that Jalen Hurts only targeted Dotson once.
With Brown likely to miss his second consecutive game, Dotson should be in line for another heavy workload in Week 3. If he is able to capitalize on his expanded role, Dotson could be a game-changer for the Eagles in New Orleans.
Alontae Taylor, CB, Saints
Alontae Taylor is one of the most fun defensive players to watch in the NFL. Taylor does it all for New Orleans as the team’s starting slot cornerback. He provides a unique blend of versatility, toughness, and swagger for the Saints.
Taylor is off to a hot start in 2024, as he recorded three sacks in the team’s regular season opener against the Carolina Panthers. According to Pro Football Focus, Taylor has recorded three sacks in just five pass-rushing snaps.
Considering that the Eagles will rely on Smith at slot WR, it’ll be fun to watch him match up with Taylor in Week 3. Given Philadelphia’s struggles against the blitz in 2023, it will also be interesting to see if the Saints use Taylor as a pass rusher to disrupt Hurts.
Thomas Booker IV, DT, Eagles
There is no denying that the Eagles have struggled to stop the run early in the regular season. Philadelphia has allowed 6.4 yards per rushing attempt through the team’s first two games, easily the highest mark in the NFL.
Yet Philadelphia’s run defense showed flashes of dominance when defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV was on the field in Week 2. If the Eagles utilize Booker more in Week 3, he could help Philadelphia’s run defense turn things around.
When Booker was in the game against the Falcons, the Eagles allowed six rushing yards on six rushing attempts (1 yard per carry). When Booker was off the field, Philadelphia allowed 146 rushing yards on 22 rushing attempts (6.6 yards per carry).
Eagles DT Thomas Booker IV was on the field for eight plays against the Falcons.
On those eight plays, Atlanta gained a total of 17 yards. Six of those plays were rushing attempts, gaining SIX (!) total yards.
Booker outplayed Jordan Davis and it wasn’t remotely close. pic.twitter.com/9Ijbbn0MX2
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaPFN) September 17, 2024
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Saints
Since arriving in the NFL in 2022, Rashid Shaheed has quietly developed into one of the best deep threats in the league. According to TruMedia, Shaheed is tied with Gabe Davis for the NFL lead in yards per reception (17.0) since 2022.
Considering how the Eagles allowed Packers WR Jayden Reed to embarrass them in Week 1, Shaheed could present even more problems for Philadelphia’s secondary. The Saints have done a tremendous job of setting up explosive plays to capitalize on Shaheed’s speed.
Cooper DeJean, CB, Eagles
Through the first two regular season games of his NFL career, Cooper DeJean has played just seven total defensive snaps. Therefore, it could seem crazy to have him listed as a wild card candidate in Week 3.
Yet given that the Saints use plenty of 12 personnel with condensed formations, this could be the matchup where DeJean shines. Given Avonte Maddox’s size limitations at slot CB, DeJean is likely a much better option against New Orleans’ offense.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio should actually study how the Saints utilize Taylor and have DeJean play a similar role in Philadelphia. DeJean is likely the future at slot CB for the Eagles, which is why he should be thrown into the fire early and often in Week 3.