The Saints got the big plays when they needed them.
The Eagles, per usual, shot themselves in the foot when they had the chance.
The outcome – a Saints win they were desperate for, topping the Eagles 28-13 to wrap up week nine in the NFL.
Philadelphia had their chances to score a huge road win vs New Orleans, but a 99-yard interception return for a score and scoring just two field goals when having first-and-goal four times again showed it was a game of “almost” and “what ifs” for the 2012 Birds.
New Orleans QB Drew Brees did his usual part in the win, throwing for two touchdown passes, extending his NFL record streak to 51 games. The big play though for the Saints came when Patrick Robinson returned an interception 99 yards for a score, not only stopping an Eagles threat, but giving the Saints a 7-0 lead when it appeared they would be trailing.
The Saints with the win move to 3-5, and they have won three of four after starting the season 0-4.
For the Eagles, they are now 3-5, and they have lost fourth straight. Embattled coach Andy Reid is sure to hear more questions about his job status, and QB Michael Vick did little to make sure his job at the QB spot was safe either.
About the only birds highlight was Vick throwing a 77-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson in the third quarter, but that was it, as the QB went down at the hands of the Saints D seven times with sacks.
Philadelphia finished with 447 yards – the eighth straight team to put up more than 400 yards on the Saints.
That was already the longest streak of 400-yard games given up by a defense since at least 1950, and maybe in the history of the NFL, putting New Orleans on pace to shatter the record for most yards allowed in a season, but to them, all that matters is a huge win.
Philadelphia’s last gasp was a fourth-down pass that Vick threw away in the back of the end zone with 7 seconds left, apparently more concerned about avoiding another pick than tacking on a meaningless TD.
Brees kept his record touchdown streak going, hooking up with Marques Colston on a 1-yard scoring pass and Jimmy Graham from 6 yards out.
The Saints quarterback finished 21 of 27 for 239 yards, a big improvement on his 22-of-42 showing against the Broncos. Brees also got plenty of help from the running game, which came into the league ranked last in the league.
Backs Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram combined for 136 yards, giving the Saints their best ground game of the season by far.
The Saints defense kept the heat on Vick, and the brutal beating made it tough for No. 7 to establish any rhythm. He finished 22 of 41 for 272 yards and really couldn’t be blamed for Robinson’s interception, which went off the hands of tight end Brent Celek.