The New Orleans Saints’ offense made headlines in early 2024 with back-to-back 40-point games, but it was the Saints’ defense that shutout the Philadelphia Eagles 3-0 at halftime on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.

Defensive end Carl Granderson had a strip sack of quarterback Jalen Hurts that was picked off by linebacker Willie Gay to end a Philadelphia possession, while safety Tyrann Mathieu ended another potential Eagles scoring drive when he intercepted Hurts six yards deep in the end zone early in the second quarter. It was Mathieu’s second interception of the season and 35th of his career. Defensive back Alontae Taylor shared a sack early in the second quarter with Granderson. Taylor has 3.5 sacks this season to Granderson’s three.

And in perhaps the most important play of the half, the Saints stopped running back Saquan Barkley on fourth-and-1 with the ball at the 15-yard line. The Eagles opted not to execute their famous “tush push” on the play.

The Saints, trying to reach 3-0 for the first time since 2013, lost center Erik McCoy to a groin injury on the first possession, forcing left guard Lucas Patrick to move to center and Oli Udoh to take Patrick’s spot at left guard. The offense struggled without McCoy and Taysom Hill (out Sunday morning with a pectoral injury), as the Saints gave up three first-half goals, the first time they’ve scored in the first half this season.

Kicker Blake Grupe made a 34-yard field from the right post to end the opening drive with points. Quarterback Derek Carr was 7 of 13 for 51 yards while Alvin Kamara had 12 carries for 33 yards. Receiver Chris Olave had three catches for 36 yards.

The Eagles (1-1) get the ball to start the second half. Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson left the game to be evaluated for a concussion.