The red hot #6 seed Eagles travel to New Orleans to take on the #1 seed Saints.
The Eagles lead the all time series 17-14, but the Saints have won 4 of the last 5 head to head including a 48-7 win in New Orleans earlier this season.
The Eagles knocked off the #3 seed Bears 16-15 in the Wild Card Round. In week 16, they beat the Texans 32-30, and in week 17 they beat the Redskins 24-0.
BetOnline has the Saints as 8 point favourites with an O/U total of 51.
The Nick Foles magic is alive and well in Philly, as the Eagles are now in the divisional round behind the backup QB for the 2nd straight year. In 6 games Foles has thrown for 1679 yards, 9 TDs and 6 INTs while completing 70.6% of his passes and averaging 7.1 YPA. Zach Ertz is not as featured as he was when Carson Wentz was behind center, but his production (121 catches, 1215 yards, 8 TDs) are off the charts for a tight end. Alshon Jeffery (71/925/6), Nelson Agholor (67/768/4), Dallas Goedert (35/354/5), and Golden Tate (35/324/2 in 9 games) are featured as well. Josh Adams found the bench last game, but still leads the team in rushing with 121 carries for 513 yards and 3 TDs while Wendell Smallwood (95/384/3) and Darren Sproles (42/141/1) are involved on the ground as well.
The Eagles regular season scoring defense ranked 12th, allowing 21.8 PPG. Their passing defense ranked 30th, allowing 269.2 yards per game and 22 TDs through the air while their pass rush ranked t-8th with 44 sacks. Their run defense ranked 7th allowing 96.9 yards per game and 14 TDs on the ground. Their defense forced 17 turnovers, and as a team they owned a -6 turnover differential.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
CB Sidney Jones (hamstring) – questionable
WR Alshon Jeffery (ribs) – questionable
WR Golden Tate (knee) – questionable
The Saints offense tailed off a bit towards the latter part of the season, but is still a formidable unit. On the year Drew Brees has thrown for 3992 yards, 32 TDs, and 5 INTs while completing 74.4% of his passes and averaging 8.2 YPA. Michael Thomas has been by far his most effective target, catching 125 balls for 1405 yards and 9 TDs while Alvin Kamara has been extremely effective as well with 81 catches for 709 yards and 4 TDs. Ben Watson (35/400/2) and Tre’Quan Smith (28/427/5) are involved as well. On the ground, Alvin Kamara leads the way with 194 carries for 883 yards and 14 TDs, while Mark Ingram is very effective as well with 138 carries for 645 yards and 6 TDs.
The Saints regular season scoring defense ranked 14th, allowing 22.1 PPG. The Saints passing defense ranked 29th, allowing 268.9 yards per game and 30 TDs while their pass rush ranked t-5th with 49 sacks. Their run defense ranked 2nd allowing 80.2 yards per game and 12 TDs on the ground. The New Orleans defense forced 24 turnovers, and as a team they owned a +8 turnover differential.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
OT Terron Armstead (chest) – questionable
OT Ryan Ramczyk (shoulder) – questionable
EDGE Alex Okafor (knee) – questionable
The Eagles are going to be up to the occasion, as they love the underdog mantra that has followed them the past 2 years in the playoffs. Nick Foles and the Eagles passing attack should be able to get up and down the field against a Saints secondary that did pick up their play towards the end of the season but is still a vulnerable unit. Up front, the big Eagles front line is more than capable of handling the Saints pass rush, but running the ball is going to be hard just like last week. As long as the Eagles can rip off a few 7-10 yarders and keep the Saints front 7 honest, they should be able to connect on play action down the field.
The Saints offense runs through Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, and in passing situations it will be hard to neutralize both. Avonte Maddox was picked on last week, and Sean Payton will be well aware of his tendency to jump routes. However, the Saints OL is banged up, and the Eagles have a front line capable of collapsing the pocket and getting in Drew Brees face. The run game will be a factor, as the Saints like to play the ball control game, but the Eagles front 7 is sturdy enough to not give up chunks of yardage. This game isn’t going to end like the 48-7 drubbing earlier this season, and the Eagles should keep this one within striking distance.
Final Pick: Eagles (+8)
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