In an electric Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles and Saints had defense lead the way in the first quarter on Saturday night. The first quarter ended with the score 0-0.

New Orleans moved into Eagles territory the first time it had the football, but the Eagles defense held and the Eagles took over on their 16-yard line, gained a first down on a Nick Foles 15-yard pass to tight end Zach Ertz, but the drive stalled at the 38-yard line and the punt from Donnie Jones bounced dead at the New Orleans 14-yard line, a 48-yard net kick from Jones.

After another three-and-out series from the Saints offense, the Eagles offense took over on its 47-yard line with 8 minutes, 26 seconds to go in the first quarter. But the Eagles couldn't take advantage of the field position, and Jones again came on to punt with the ball at the Saints 47-yard line. A perfect punt from Jones was nearly downed at the 1-yard line, but Roc Carmichael kicked the ball into the end zone for a touchback and New Orleans had possession at the 20-yard line.

New Orleans got the running game going to gain one first down and then quarterback Drew Brees threw a dart to tight end Jimmy Graham for a 21-yard gain to the Philadelphia 49-yard line. But then it was Bradley Fletcher time.

Brees unloaded looking for wide receiver Kenny Stills down the right sideline, but overthrew Stills and Fletcher was there for the interception at the 3-yard line. He returned it all the way to the 27-yard line and the Eagles offense took over from there.

Foles completed passes to Riley Cooper and Jason Avant to gain a first down at the 39-yard line. A completion of 24 yards to a leaping Brent Celek moved the ball to the 32-yard line. On fourth and inches from the 23-yard line, LeSean McCoy gainied 8 yards to the 15-yard line to keep the drive going.

But the Saints sniffed out a screen pass to Celek and stopped him for an 8-yard loss and then Foles was sacked for a loss of 12 yards to the 34-yard line as the quarter ended.