Patrick Causey, on Twitter @InsdeTheHuddle
The 1-3 Philadelphia Eagles take on the 1-3 New Orleans Saints today at 1 pm at Lincoln Financial Field. In what has become a weekly occurrence only four weeks into the season, this represents another must win game for the Birds.
The Eagles come off a disappointing loss to division rival Washington Redskins last week, with the same mistakes plaguing the Eagles that have been an issue all season: an offense unable to sustain drives and a defense unable to stop drives.
When the Eagles are on Offense
As we've discussed before, the Eagles offensive line has been largely ineffective this season, especially in run blocking. To make matters worse, it comes in banged up with Jason Peters and Lane Johnson suffering injuries last week. While both are expected to play, keep an eye on how effective they will be. If either comes out, the Eagles already suspect depth will be tested.
Sam Bradford finally showed signs of life last week, testing the Redskins defense vertically for the first time all season. Coming into Week 4, Bradford was 0-4 on throws 21 yards or more down field. Last week alone, he was 4-8 for 173 yards and two touchdowns. The Saints come in ranked 19th against the pass in terms of yards allowed, so there will be more opportunities to take shots down the field.
The Eagles could also find some success on the ground game, assuming the offensive line gets out of its own way. The Saints rank 25th in terms of yards allowed on the ground, to the tune of 123.3 yards per game.
When the Eagles are on Defense
The Saints offense still goes as Drew Brees goes. While he lacks offensive weapons that he had in the past — most notably, Jimmy Graham — they are still heavily relying on Brees and his achy shoulder. The Saints ranked third in the league in total passing yards, averaging 308 yards per game. Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston are the primary wide receivers, but expect a heavy amount of passes to go to running backs Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller.
The Eagles rank 13th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (97.0), and face off against a Saints offense that struggles to run the ball, ranking 27th in the league averaging only 82.8 yards per game on the ground.
Keys to the Game
Here are five keys to the game:
- Getting pressure on Brees: the Eagles simply cannot allow Brees to sit back comfortably in the pocket; even with the bad shoulder and lack of playmakers, Brees is still an elite passer, as we saw last week against the Dallas Cowboys.
- Establishing the run game: the Eagles offensive line needs to be able to run against this Saints leaky run defense. Establishing the run will take pressure off Bradford and the passing game.
- Taking shots down field: Bradford finally showed a willingness and ability to attack the defense vertically last week. More of the same please this week.
- Winning the turnover battle: turnovers are killer. The Eagles need to avoid them this week in order to have a chance.
- Avoiding slow start/three and outs: the Eagles lead the NFL in three and outs and percentage of drives that end in three and outs. This has a damning effect on the defense, as they are forced to stay on the field at a ridiculous rate. The Eagles need to sustain drives this week so they can close out strongly.
Philadelphia Eagles
OUT
- Kiko Alonso (knee)
- Mychal Kendricks (hamstring)
- Brandon Bair (groin)
Questionable
- Jason Peters (quad)
Probable
- Byron Maxwell (quad)
- Lane Johnson (MCL, ankle)
- Chris Maragos (quad)
New Orleans Saints
OUT
- T: Terron Armstead (knee)
- P: Thomas Morestead (quad)
Questionable
- G: Jahri Evans (knee)
- DE: Bobby Richardson (hip)
Probable
- S: Jarius Byrd (knee)
- CB: Keenan Lewis (hip)
- G: Tim Lelito (back)
Where to Watch
TV: Fox (Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Tony Siragusa)
Radio: 94 WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
