Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

The New Orleans Saints will face a team they trounced during a regular season meeting when they host the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Divisional playoff game next Sunday (Jan. 13) at 3:40 p.m. CT.

The Eagles upset the Chicago Bears on Sunday (Jan. 6) in the last of four NFL wild-card games.

As the No. 1 seed with home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs, the Saints were assured of playing the wild-card winner with the lower seed. The Eagles have the lowest possible seed at No. 6.

The Dallas Cowboys, seeded at No. 4, will play Saturday in Los Angeles against the No. 2 Rams.

The Saints' 546 total yards against the Eagles in Week 11 were the most gained this season. Drew Brees threw four touchdown passes and Mark Ingram rushed for two scores. The Saints won 48-7.

During the third quarter, Ingram, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas were spotted on the Superdome video boards dancing on the sideline to New Orleans rappers Master P and Choppa’s “Choppa Style.”

Also in that game, former Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins flashed an obscene gesture toward Sean Payton after Brees threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Alvin Kamara in the fourth quarter with Jenkins in coverage.

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After that loss, the Eagles turned around their season by winning five of the final six regular season games to slip into the playoffs with a 9-7 record. In the wild-card playoff against the Bears, the Eagles won 16-15 and the Bears' Cody Parkey missed a potential winning field goal off the left upright.

The Eagles have Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles back at quarterback with the starter Carson Wentz dealing with a back injury.

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Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Eagles' Jason Peters says Saints ‘ran up the score. ... It’s not going to be the same outcome' this time

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

The Eagles will receive a rematch against the New Orleans Saints following a 16-15 win over the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs on Sunday.
New Orleans dismantled Philadelphia, 48-7, in Week 11 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints outperformed the Eagles in every phases during the marquee matchup.
However, things have dramatically changed since that one-sided meeting in November. Quarterback Carson Wentz, who had his worst game of the season against the Saints, is sidelined with a stress fracture in his back. Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles has replaced him and lived up to last postseason's hype. The Eagles are riding a four-game winning streak with Foles at the quarterback helm.
On top of the quarterback changes, the banged secondary has improved, the defensive line is forcing regular pressure and the wide receivers have had some landmark games. This Eagles team is on the upswing, but will that be enough to pull a complete turnaround against the Saints in their second meeting?
Here's how the Eagles and Saints matchup at every position heading into the divisional round:
Quarterback
Eagles: Nick Foles (or Carson Wentz)
Saints: Drew Brees
Edge: Saints
Thoughts: While Foles has been sensational at times, Brees has been on another level. The Saints quarterback has been killing opposing defenses all season and one of his best performances was against the Eagles. While Foles' magic could live on, Brees -- on paper -- is a far superior quarterback.
Running Back
Eagles: Josh Adams, Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood
Saints: Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara, Dwayne Washington
Edge: Saints
Thoughts: The Eagles have made the most of their banged up running back committee. Their Week 17 performance against Washington was encouraging, but their 43-yard output against the Bears gives us pause. Meanwhile, Ingram and Kamara form the most dynamic running back duo in the league. Both are extremely dangerous in their own ways. Kamara is a slasher with a great set off hands, while Ingram is a reliable power runner.
Wide Receiver
Eagles: Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews, Golden Tate
Saints: Michael Thomas, Tre'Quan Smith, Tommylee Lewis, Austin Carr,
Edge: Saints
Thoughts: Thomas is the difference-maker here. He led the league in receptions and finished with 1,405 receiving yards during the regular season. Thomas is as dynamic as they come, especially with Brees throwing him the ball. The Eagles have the better depth but Thomas is next level brilliant at the position. Smith has shown some flash this season and was strong against the Eagles in Week 11.

more below...

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints | Who has the edge in NFC Divisional Round matchup?

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Yea and don’t forget about how Payton singles out Malcom Jenkins because I guarantee he won’t forget. They went into a very hostile environment and beat a damn good defense. Our offense has to show up for this one.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

I think we're gonna smoke em. They made Trubisky look like a stud and Allen Robinson look like a hall of famer. What will Brees and Mike Thomas do? Ill take the Saints -8.5. Ill be surprised if its close at halftime.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Yeah the only way they can contain our offense is not providing Drew time. If our oline wins it upfront we will run on them, and basically do whatever we want. we will wear their d out...if they get pressure you never know

Our oline has to be feeling better than they have in a long time. I think we are chomping at the bit

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Is Vernon a free agent, lmao. Sign him for this week. MJ has flash backs to '11

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Speaking of O line ...

Jason Peters (OL) -- he was very good last night. Khalil Mack had no answer. We will have our hands full trying to get to Nick.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

I was really looking forward to destroying Dallas as revenge, the same as the Eagles want to do with us. Saints need to make sure they don't take this rematch lightly, as it isn't the same team we played last time. They looked solid in pass rush and other than a few plays, defense played well. Granted, the Bears offense isn't as dynamic as ours.

But they've got that Nick Foles magic going right now. Just don't assume it's an automatic win.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Very well said. This makes me nervous just because we beat them so badly. They are definitely a different team. As long as we take them serious we should be fine. I wanted Dallas badly. Maybe they will get lucky against Rams but I doubt it.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Dak will turn into a Pumpkin on Saturday. They won't be able to keep up with the Rams & I don't think Dak Bortles is capable of putting up 30+ points even against the Rams suspect defense. Aaron Donald will disrupt a lot.

Season over for the girls this weekend.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Plus Neaux Jerry Refs!

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

They have a solid oline...but they're not as good as Pitt IMHO, and they certainly do not have that level of Rec.

Hicks was able to blow up their run game several times. I expect us to effect him some, but you're right in the fact that their oline is pretty good

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

My ears are already hurting from the noice in the Dome this coming Sunday lol.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

who in their secondary is gonna get the ginn assignment?

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Or TreyQuan.... Didn't he have a good game against them last time?

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Any word on fitness of Armstead and Bushrod yet?

Really need Armstead here as we really do not need Peat having to go out to LT and Tom or Clapp trying to keep Cox of Brees.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

We won't hear anything on any player prior to the mandatory practice report on Wednesday. And even then they may very well be held out until Thursday.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

It's going to be a tough game, I like our chances due to 2 weeks off and we are playing at home.

Eagles are saying we ran up the score so they will arrive with a chip on their shoulder. Will be a tough game, Foles is better than Wentz.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

I really think they are creating that chip. We didn't run up the score, we just whooped em. That's an explosive offense a few plays the other way and outcome could have been very different. Of course, you could say that with just about any NFL game these days. But I think the whole run-up-the-score thing is just silly.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Run up the score by pulling starters slowly on both offense and defense
If they wanted us to stop playing maybe they should have pulled their own QB and stop trying to close the gap and just ran the game out

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

All this Iggles whining about us running up the score during the last game is a bunch of crybaby BS. We scored our last touchdown in the BEGINNING of the 4th quarter, and our last FG 5 minutes into the the 4th qtr. Jenkins & Peters are showing their feminine side.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Absolutely agree, Payton has learnt the tough way to keep the gas pedal down.

I hope this 2 weeks off has given them time to get back to midseason form.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

every team and matchup is different but this is my point. Does anyone think their offense is anywhere close to the Pittsburgh offense? Do they have anywhere nearthat tandem of rec? They put up 28. Do you think the Eagles are going to do that? Does anyone think they can keep our offense under 30?

The only way we lose this game is if their dline dominates our oline.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

That's how Dallas did it, and I don't see the Eagles bringing that kind of domination up front to the contest.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

exactly, and they have two really athletic lb's that were able to put in really good work against AK. The Eagles don't have that..

But that is the only way. It has been 9 weeks since armistead was originally injured. He came back against Pitt and then was reinjured. Not sure if that made it regress or meant he wasnt ready. Wil be 3 weeks since then, hope it is fully healed now.

Bushrod should be a go, 5 weeks should heal a hammy

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

At this point, I'll settle for a 80% Armstead. He's so quick out of the screens & runs. A true catalyst on that line. I just don't know many (if any) other left tackles as quick and powerful as he is.

IMO TA is the most important player (see Dallas game) on offense not named Drew Brees. Hope he can gut it out on Sunday.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

absolutely! Bushrod isn't exciting, but is stable. Armstead is next level.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

The scary part is AK has fresh legs

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

But I suppose last season when they played the Vikings they didn't run up the score.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Tie that arm up to his tittie and he’ll still be productive that Kat is the difference in our o

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Both teams have nothing to lose now that it’s playoff time. Look for Sean to pull some ballsy plays.
I don’t care if he has to go back to just using Kamara and Thomas if he has to. It was working. Problem was risk of injury. Doesn’t matter now. Win at all cost. Another game is not a given.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

It's a small thing, but I noticed a couple of times in the Bears/Eagles game, that Sproles bobbled the ball and one time where he nearly almost muffed a punt. I'm figuring that if I saw it, then our defensive coordinator and players saw it, too. I'm willing to bet Morstead boots him a one-hopper and tries to make him miss, and I bet our guys on defense will be reaching in there trying to punch the ball out from the little guy's grasp. Just something I noticed, because of course I keep my eye on Sproles, love that guy. But he definitely bobbled it a few times on Sunday. Something to look out for.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

True. Foles is a good player however he doesn't push defenses around.

According to stats, he's thrown 5 INT's over the last 2 weeks. I saw quite a few ducks thrown last week. D line pressure will be key.

** Trivia question for B&G **

Q: When was the last time Nick Foles lost a playoff game????

A: It was against the Saints :p.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Cover Ertz and Tate and we're good or should I say golden.

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

Don't forget about Alshon....Foles loves him!!

Re: Saints to face Eagles in NFC Divisional game
 

FWIW, the Saints game was in the regular season, the iggles was for the NFCC.