New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) runs the ball after an interception against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half of the divisional round of the NFC playoff game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. The Saints won 20-14. Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELD
By Nick Underhill | The Advocate
Dennis Allen knew this week was going to give his Saints defense a unique challenge.
It is hard to make plays against a quarterback who is willing to throw the ball to the first guy he sees open, and even then, open is a relative term for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. He’ll throw the ball in the smallest of windows and often doesn’t like to keep it in his hands for more than two seconds.
Three steps, quick read, throw. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
So the Saints defensive coordinator felt there were two keys to disrupting Foles and the Eagles offense this week. The first was to try and take away his first read and force him to look to the second or third guy. That would make him hold the ball longer and maybe give the Saints' pass rush a chance. Otherwise, Foles would be able to dink and dunk his way down the field and settle in rhythm.
The second key was to understand the defense was only going to be able to force Foles into his reads so many times, a point repeatedly proven during the Saints’ 20-14 win on Sunday as Foles got rid of the ball in less than two seconds on 12 plays. ...
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