Matchups: Wild Card Round

WhoDat!656 · 01-02-2014, 12:45 PM

Saturday's late game will be a battle between offensive masterminds Sean Payton and Chip Kelly, who trotted out the NFL's Nos. 4 and 2-ranked offenses in 2013 total yards, respectively, and Nos. 10 and 4 in points scored. Not surprisingly, this game has the highest over-under of Wild Card weekend at 53.5 points, which still seems conservative.

Kelly's prolific rushing attack has the premier matchup on either side of the ball, taking on a Saints defense that ranked 19th against the run this regular season and served up 4.61 yards per carry, the league's fifth most generous clip. Favored by 2.5 points, the host Eagles can pull off this victory if they stay committed to the run, something Kelly has no problem doing as Philly finished fifth in 2013 rushing attempts.

If you're in a playoff fantasy league, you'll want LeSean McCoy on your team. ... The Saints' defense is much stouter through the air, where DC Rob Ryan's unit finished No. 2 in pass defense behind only Seattle, and No. 4 in sacks (49).

Unless New Orleans builds a big scoreboard lead, I'd look for Nick Foles to operate primarily as a game manager Saturday night, seeking to avoid turnovers and taking only manufactured vertical shots while Shady pounds on the ground. The potentially high-scoring nature of this affair may ultimately require Foles to do more, but I don't think that's what Kelly wants as long as the game is in control. ... Foles' target distribution from Week 13 on: DeSean Jackson 37; Riley Cooper 28; McCoy and Zach Ertz 22; Brent Celek 19; Jason Avant 17.

Matchups: Wild Card Round - Pretzel Crisps' Matchups - Rotoworld.com

halloween 65 · 01-02-2014, 01:17 PM

This should end up being a good game. Saints by 3 in a dual.

WhoDat!656 · 01-02-2014, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by halloween 65

This should end up being a good game. Saints by 3 in a dual.

I hope it isn't that close, but as long as the Saints have at least one more point than the iggles I will be happy!

And NO injuries!!

Utah_Saint · 01-02-2014, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by WhoDat!656

Kelly's prolific rushing attack has the premier matchup on either side of the ball, taking on a Saints defense that ranked 19th against the run this regular season and served up 4.61 yards per carry, the league's fifth most generous clip.

Just my opinion, but I see it just the opposite. I see the premier match up as the #2 passing attack against the leagues worst pass defense. The Saints can force Philly to abandon the run but Philly can't make N.O. give up on the passing game.

|Mitch| · 01-02-2014, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Utah_Saint

Just my opinion, but I see it just the opposite. I see the premier match up as the #2 passing attack against the leagues worst pass defense. The Saints can force Philly to abandon the run but Philly can't make N.O. give up on the passing game.

No doubt! Say we get up by 14, do you think realistically they will continue to run as much? And that's where Fole's first playoff game comes into play, with our #2nd ranked pass D!

WhoDat!656 · 01-02-2014, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by |Mitch|

No doubt! Say we get up by 14, do you think realistically they will continue to run as much? And that's where Fole's first playoff game comes into play, with our #2nd ranked pass D!

I would say if we get up 2 TDs in the first half they will keep running; if it is in the 2nd half they won't

UK_WhoDat · 01-02-2014, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by WhoDat!656

I would say if we get up 2 TDs in the first half they will keep running; if it is in the 2nd half they won't

Yep.
On average, every team can expect loads of possessions yet, after the half.
(30 minutes. Average time per drive at some 3 minutes. Share that between 2 teams).

|Mitch| · 01-02-2014, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by UK_WhoDat

Yep.
On average, every team can expect loads of possessions yet, after the half.
(30 minutes. Average time per drive at some 3 minutes. Share that between 2 teams).

I can see our offense executing slow methodical scoring drives, keeping their D on the field as long as possible. With their fast-paced offense they run, it will actually hurt their D the faster they run.

Not too mention our drives will give our defense ample rest...

UK_WhoDat · 01-02-2014, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by |Mitch|

I can see our offense executing slow methodical scoring drives, keeping their D on the field as long as possible. With their fast-paced offense they run, it will actually hurt their D the faster they run.

Not too mention our drives will give our defense ample rest...

Hope you right in some ways.
But we have to take what we are given. Brees will and should throw long if our guys are wide open.

We sure don't want too many 3 and outs which 1) will sap a mere 2 minutes from the game and 2) give them the chance to drive after we have flunked.

My thinking is that turnovers settle this game. Philly have a great seasonal TO record. But we can negate that by not throwing interceptions.

|Mitch| · 01-02-2014, 04:50 PM

As celebrated as the Philadlephia Eagles offense is for its breakneck pace and scoring ability (27.6 points per game, a franchise-record 53 touchdowns), it pretty much has had to be to counterbalance the defense.

Opponents score 23.9 points per game against Philadelphia, and roll up 394.2 yards per game.

However, in winning seven of its final eight games, the Eagles held opponents to 17.6 points per game in the wins. Still, the odds favor the Saints being able to move the ball against the Eagles.

01-02-2014, 12:45 PM	#1
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,046	Matchups: Wild Card Round Saturday's late game will be a battle between offensive masterminds Sean Payton and Chip Kelly, who trotted out the NFL's Nos. 4 and 2-ranked offenses in 2013 total yards, respectively, and Nos. 10 and 4 in points scored. Not surprisingly, this game has the highest over-under of Wild Card weekend at 53.5 points, which still seems conservative. Kelly's prolific rushing attack has the premier matchup on either side of the ball, taking on a Saints defense that ranked 19th against the run this regular season and served up 4.61 yards per carry, the league's fifth most generous clip. Favored by 2.5 points, the host Eagles can pull off this victory if they stay committed to the run, something Kelly has no problem doing as Philly finished fifth in 2013 rushing attempts. If you're in a playoff fantasy league, you'll want LeSean McCoy on your team. ... The Saints' defense is much stouter through the air, where DC Rob Ryan's unit finished No. 2 in pass defense behind only Seattle, and No. 4 in sacks (49). Unless New Orleans builds a big scoreboard lead, I'd look for Nick Foles to operate primarily as a game manager Saturday night, seeking to avoid turnovers and taking only manufactured vertical shots while Shady pounds on the ground. The potentially high-scoring nature of this affair may ultimately require Foles to do more, but I don't think that's what Kelly wants as long as the game is in control. ... Foles' target distribution from Week 13 on: DeSean Jackson 37; Riley Cooper 28; McCoy and Zach Ertz 22; Brent Celek 19; Jason Avant 17. Matchups: Wild Card Round - Pretzel Crisps' Matchups - Rotoworld.com
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01-02-2014, 01:27 PM	#3
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,046	Re: Matchups: Wild Card Round Originally Posted by halloween 65 This should end up being a good game. Saints by 3 in a dual. I hope it isn't that close, but as long as the Saints have at least one more point than the iggles I will be happy! And NO injuries!!

01-02-2014, 01:43 PM	#4
Utah_Saint Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,521	Re: Matchups: Wild Card Round Originally Posted by WhoDat!656 Kelly's prolific rushing attack has the premier matchup on either side of the ball, taking on a Saints defense that ranked 19th against the run this regular season and served up 4.61 yards per carry, the league's fifth most generous clip. Just my opinion, but I see it just the opposite. I see the premier match up as the #2 passing attack against the leagues worst pass defense. The Saints can force Philly to abandon the run but Philly can't make N.O. give up on the passing game. Beastmode likes this.

01-02-2014, 02:06 PM	#5
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: Matchups: Wild Card Round Originally Posted by Utah_Saint Just my opinion, but I see it just the opposite. I see the premier match up as the #2 passing attack against the leagues worst pass defense. The Saints can force Philly to abandon the run but Philly can't make N.O. give up on the passing game. No doubt! Say we get up by 14, do you think realistically they will continue to run as much? And that's where Fole's first playoff game comes into play, with our #2nd ranked pass D!

01-02-2014, 02:12 PM	#6
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,046	Re: Matchups: Wild Card Round Originally Posted by \|Mitch\| No doubt! Say we get up by 14, do you think realistically they will continue to run as much? And that's where Fole's first playoff game comes into play, with our #2nd ranked pass D! I would say if we get up 2 TDs in the first half they will keep running; if it is in the 2nd half they won't

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01-02-2014, 01:17 PM	#2
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	Re: Matchups: Wild Card Round This should end up being a good game. Saints by 3 in a dual.

01-02-2014, 03:53 PM	#7
UK_WhoDat 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wherever I lay my hat Posts: 3,947	Re: Matchups: Wild Card Round Originally Posted by WhoDat!656 I would say if we get up 2 TDs in the first half they will keep running; if it is in the 2nd half they won't Yep. On average, every team can expect loads of possessions yet, after the half. (30 minutes. Average time per drive at some 3 minutes. Share that between 2 teams).

01-02-2014, 04:24 PM	#8
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: Matchups: Wild Card Round Originally Posted by UK_WhoDat Yep. On average, every team can expect loads of possessions yet, after the half. (30 minutes. Average time per drive at some 3 minutes. Share that between 2 teams). I can see our offense executing slow methodical scoring drives, keeping their D on the field as long as possible. With their fast-paced offense they run, it will actually hurt their D the faster they run. Not too mention our drives will give our defense ample rest...

01-02-2014, 04:45 PM	#9
UK_WhoDat 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wherever I lay my hat Posts: 3,947	Re: Matchups: Wild Card Round Originally Posted by \|Mitch\| I can see our offense executing slow methodical scoring drives, keeping their D on the field as long as possible. With their fast-paced offense they run, it will actually hurt their D the faster they run. Not too mention our drives will give our defense ample rest... Hope you right in some ways. But we have to take what we are given. Brees will and should throw long if our guys are wide open. We sure don't want too many 3 and outs which 1) will sap a mere 2 minutes from the game and 2) give them the chance to drive after we have flunked. My thinking is that turnovers settle this game. Philly have a great seasonal TO record. But we can negate that by not throwing interceptions.

01-02-2014, 04:50 PM	#10
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: Matchups: Wild Card Round As celebrated as the Philadlephia Eagles offense is for its breakneck pace and scoring ability (27.6 points per game, a franchise-record 53 touchdowns), it pretty much has had to be to counterbalance the defense. Opponents score 23.9 points per game against Philadelphia, and *roll up 394.2 yards per game.* However, in winning seven of its final eight games, the Eagles held opponents to 17.6 points per game in the wins. Still, the odds favor the Saints being able to move the ball against the Eagles.

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