Two playoff teams from a season ago face off Sunday afternoon. The Eagles lead the all time series 16- 11, and the 2 have split their last 2 matchups.
The Eagles lost 20-27 on Sunday night to their rival Cowboys last week following their bye. In week 7, they lost to the Panthers 21-17, and beat Jacksonville 24-18 in week 8.
The Saints are coming off a 51-14 domination of the Bengals last week. In week 8, they beat the Vikings 30-20, and beat the Rams 45-35 in week 9.
BetOnline has the Saints as 9 point favourites, with the O/U set at 55.
What is wrong with the Philadelphia Eagles? After being one of the most dominant teams in football last season, and winning the Super Bowl, the simple answer is they are struggling to close out games that they would have easily won a season ago. Even so, Carson Wentz is playing good football, throwing for 2148 yards at 8 YPA and 71% completion, and has 15 TDs to just 3 picks. Zach Ertz has been a monster at tight end, catching 75 balls for 789 yards and 5 TDs this season, while Alshon Jeffery has 33 catches for 389 yards and 4 TDs in 6 games. The running back position has been a grab bag since Jay Ajayi went down, and Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement, and Josh Adams have combined for 144 carries for 595 yards and just 3 TDs.
The Eagles are bottom 10 in defending the pass, allowing 265.8 yards per game but just 12 TDs this year (t-3rd). They are top 10 in defending the run, allowing just 93.4 yards per game and 6 TDs. In terms of points per game, they are allowing just 20.3 which is good for 6th. They have forced just 7 turnovers this year (4 interceptions, 3 fumbles), but are top 10 in sacks with 26.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
T Terron Armstead (shoulder) – questionable
EDGE Marcus Davenport (toe) – out
The Saints are playing inspired football right now, and are poised for a strong run to end the season. Drew Brees is completing an astounding 77.3% of his passes at 8.6 yards per attempt, and has 2601 yards and 21 TDs to just 1 interception on the year. Michael Thomas has been the unquestioned go to guy 78 receptions for 950 yards and 7 TDs on the year, while Alvin Kamara has been a receiving threat out of the backfield with 55 catches for 473 yards and 3 TDs. The duo of Kamara and Ingram is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and have 546 yards/ 11 TDs and 285/2 (5 games) respectively. The Saints offensive line has been the best in the league to this point, with Brees being sacked just 9 times (best in league among QBs with 100+ attempts).
The Saints defense has not been great by any means, allowing 25.8 PPG (9th worst). Their pass defense is 2nd worst, allowing 296.1 yards per game and 19 TDs. On the ground, they are best allowing just 80.1 yards per game and 9 TDs. They also have struggled to force turnovers, picking off just 6 passes and recovering 3 fumbles, and are bottom 10 in sacks with 21.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
CB Ronald Darby (knee) – out
CB Jalen Mills (foot) – questionable
CB Sidney Jones (hamstring) – questionable
T Lane Johnson (knee) – questionable
This game looked like a premiere matchup coming into the season, but with the Eagles recent struggles and the Saints continuing to get better, the 9 point spread is appropriate. The Eagles are not reliant on the run game, and should have no issue moving the ball through the air against a questionable Saints secondary. We expect the Saints to get a few big redzone stops that will decide this game, as field goals aren’t going to get it done against an offense as potent as the Saints.
The Eagles have injuries to their top 3 cornerbacks at this point, with their best cover corner out for sure and their best deep safety lost earlier this season. The Saints playcalling and schematics will exploit the Eagles depth and score at will, while Kamara and Ingram salt the game away down the stretch. The Saints are looking like one of, if not the best team in the league right now, and we are taking the 9 points.
Final Pick: Saints (-9)
About The Author
