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Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints have a week off and then another week to prepare before stepping back onto the field in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Their opponent is yet to be determined, but it could be one of three other NFC teams and the first to be analyzed will be: the Philadelphia Eagles.


In week two of the regular season, the Saints traveled to Philly and completely decimated the Eagles 48-22. New Orleans ran up and down the field by way of 133 rushing yards and 288 passing yards. Brees added 3 passing scores to that yardage total.


It's not like the Eagles didn't have a good day on offense too though. 463 total yards of offense including 384 passing. The problem is that they also committed four turnovers; one of which was a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Darren Sharper. Let's not forget that this was an Eagles' team that also was without Michael Vick (still on suspension) and also without Donovan McNabb who sat out with an injury.


Many people state that the game would have been much different had McNabb been in there, but I'm not totally sure about that. The Eagles offense did a hell of a lot right but ended up with some bad plays in the turnovers. Their biggest problem was that their defense could not stop the Saints from just tearing up the field and the scoreboard. Even if McNabb had been in there, the score may have been a bit closer but it doesn't mean that the Saints' offense could be contained.


Nonetheless, the season has progressed and the Eagles had caught a bit of fire late in the season, winning six in a row until getting destroyed by the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday. If the Eagles lay another egg against the Cowboys in the Wild Card Round this weekend then this column will be all for naught. But if they do get by, then the Saints could end up welcoming the Eagles into the Superdome for the second time in the playoffs in four years after also facing them during the season. Let's not forget that the Saints won both games that season too en route to the NFC Championship game.


McNabb is healthy now as is Brian Westbrook finally meaning that two of the main weapons for the Eagles are in top form. Vick is healthy as well, but he has been a bust this season compared to what some may have expected from him. Still he could be dangerous now and then if he finds a seam in the defensive line and spurts through it. Tight end Brent Celek along with wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin could spell trouble for a Saints' secondary that has dealt with numerous injuries the second half of the season.


Yet...they are more healthy now then they have been in some time and also have two weeks of rest to get all the boo boos totally healed up. Sharper has been resting his knee. Usama Young is a week or two away from returning from surgery for a sports hernia. Jabari Greer returned to action in the season finale against the Carolina Panthers and looked to not have too much rust on him. Tracy Porter is back. Randall Gay has recovered from his concussion. Roman Harper is doing well. It seems as if the secondary is back on track.


The rest of the defense will have time to heal up too as linebackers Scott Shanle and Jonathan Vilma are getting their soreness and bang-ups cleared up with the rest given them by having a first round bye. Sedrick Ellis can let his knee get back to normal too.


Let's not forget about the offense as well with the the three-headed monster of Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Mike Bell taking a hit as Thomas got banged up in the Buccaneer game. Now his ribs have time to heal and the powerhouse should be back on track shortly. Everyone else is relatively healthy and things should be a-ok if Philly decides to invade the Dome in two weeks. But let's compare and contrast shall we?

• Quarterback: Advantage Saints
• Running Back: Advantage Tie
• Wide Receiver: Advantage Saints
• Tight End: Advantage Tie
• Offensive Line: Advantage Saints
• Defensive Line: Advantage Saints
• Linebackers: Advantage Saints
• Secondary: Advantage Tie
• Special Teams: Advantage Eagles

That may look exceptionally mismatched, but please don't let it fool you. If everyone is healthy and playing up to their potential, then the Saints can take this game as they did in week two. But it won't be as much of a blowout as it was then because McNabb will keep it closer. Still, if the Eagles are the team that ends up coming to town in two weeks for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs then I feel the game will result in another trip to the NFC Championship game for the black and gold.


Prediction: Saints 38 - Eagles 27

Stay tuned because this week I'll be analyzing the other two possible opponents for the Saints when they play their first playoff game on Saturday, January 16. Next up tomorrow, the Green Bay Packers.

LINKBACK: Saints' Possible Playoff Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

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DrewDat

Im hoping for philly

spkb25

We can move the ball all over that defense!!

QBREES9

I like the SAINTS chance against Philly.

UK_WhoDat

Another year perhaps....