LeSean McCoy and the Eagles host the Saints in the third ever playoff meeting between the two teams. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)
The first playoff game in three seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles is set to rock Lincoln Financial Field. Since the close of the 2010 season, the Eagles have been in a dry spell that feels like a massive playoff drought.
It has been five years since a playoff win, even longer at home. There have been longer streaks before, but this is certainly a long time coming.
The Eagles last home playoff win came in 2006 when they won in the Wildcard round against the New York Giants. The opponent that followed ended the Eagles season. It was the New Orleans Saints.
That is where we pick up this matchup on Saturday night. The Eagles and Saints meet in the playoffs for the third time. The two teams split the first two meetings.
Right away, when you think of the Saints, you think of Drew Brees. The quarterback that led the Saints to a Super Bowl in 2009 is a huge threat to change a game.
Brees has many targets. Even with Pierre Thomas, the team’s regular starting running back, out with a back injury, Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram make a great tag-team out of the backfield. Sproles is the more-explosive back that can use his speed effectively, especially on screen plays. Ingram will be used in more power situations.
The receiving depth of the Saints is impressive. Jimmy Graham is among the best tight ends in the game. He may not be Brees’ first target, but he will see plenty of action, especially if the linebackers, like Trent Cole, fail to cover him on short routes.
Marques Colston is the usual go-to receiver, but may have a slightly reduced role. Brees is among the best at spreading the ball around. He has rookie receiver Kenny Stills that can make an impact and Lance Moore as a third receiver.
The Eagles should be able to utilize a mixed offense between Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy. McCoy can get involved in both games, but if passing proves to be more effective, DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper or Brent Celek could end up with big games, especially if the Eagles try to attack the safeties with long passes.
The Saints have a good defense overall but do struggle in certain areas. Their rush defense, ranked 19th in the NFL, benefits from strong linebackers like David Hawthorne and Curtis Lofton.
The strength of the Saints defense is protecting against the pass. The second-best pass defense in the NFL will look to slow down Chip Kelly’s offense. Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins power the secondary at safety while Corey White and Keenan Lewis are the team’s top cornerbacks.
The Eagles will try to use their many weapons to find a seam in the Saints defense, but may have to heavily rely on McCoy to be effective. Giving Foles time to make plays will be crucial, making the task on the offensive line all the more important.
Obviously, one of the key differences between the two teams, especially of late, has been situational records. The Eagles finished 4-4 at home this season, but won their last four home games. The Saints played to just a 3-5 record on the road and have lost four of their last five road games including three in a row. It’s usually dome sweet dome for the Saints, who are not accustomed to the extreme cold temperatures that may be awaiting them in Philadelphia on Saturday night.
Game Notes
- The Eagles set 18 franchise records during the season, including 12 single-season records.
- The Eagles are tied for second in the NFL in interceptions in the last 12 games with 17.
- Among the team records, the Eagles set an NFL record with 99 plays of 20 yards or more during the season, an average of 6.2 per game.
- The Eagles lead the overall series between the two teams, with a 16-12 record against the Saints. At home, the Eagles are 8-3.
- The Saints have won four of the last five meetings between the two teams, including a 27-24 loss in the NFC Division round in 2007, but only once in Philadelphia. The last meeting between the two teams was on Nov. 5, 2012, where the Saints claimed a 28-13 win over the Eagles in New Orleans.
- With LeSean McCoy winning the rushing title and Nick Foles leading the league in passer rating, the Eagles became the first team in NFL history to have a players lead the league in both categories at the conclusion of the season.
Injury Report
Eagles
Out
- C Julian Vandervelde (back)
Questionable
- S Earl Wolff (knee)
Probable
- S Colt Anderson (knee)
- WR Jason Avant (shoulder)
- CB Brandon Boykin (hip)
- LB Mychal Kendricks (knee)
Saints
Out
- RB Pierre Thomas (chest)
Questionable
- LB Keyunta Dawson (calf) – did not participate in practice
Probable
- S Rafael Bush (ankle)
Where to Watch
TV: NBC (Broadcasters: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya)
Radio: 94 WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
National Radio: Westwood One (Broadcasters: Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason, Steve Tasker)
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Look for his Monday Review the morning after every Eagles game. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
