The Saints (6-9) was able to extend their winning streak to two after a nail-biting 17-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon. New Orleans still remains in the playoff hunt, but with a Tampa Bay win over Carolina this weekend, those hopes will be dashed. The Saints will look to continue their winning ways against one of the best teams in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles.
New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles Game Information:
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Current Records: New Orleans Saints (6-9) @ Philadelphia Eagles (13-2)
Date/Time: January 1st @ 12:00 p.m. CT
Where: Lincoln Financial Field; Philadelphia, PA
Where to Watch: FOX (Commentators: Play-By-Play Joe Davis, Analyst Daryl Johnston, Reporter Pam Oliver)
Spread: Eagles (-5.5)
New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles Series History:
Philadelphia leads the all-time series against the Saints, 18-12, in the regular season. The last meeting between the two teams came during the 2021 season where the Eagles routed the Saints, 40-29.
Previewing the Saints Heading into Week 17:
New Orleans was able to keep their slim playoff chances alive after a 17-10 win over the Browns in week 16. The black and gold had to battle it out in sub-zero conditions and their offense got off to a slow start as Cleveland got out to an early 10-0 lead to start the contest. The Saints were able to battle back in the second half with two touchdowns coming from Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara to put them up 17-10.
The defense was able to stand tall and shut down the Browns offense in the second half to give their offense a chance to steal the game late. New Orleans was able to force a key turnover that set up the go-ahead touchdown run by Kamara. The Saints will now turn their attention for their second-straight road contest against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia was able to handle the Saints last season in a 40-29 win against New Orleans, so the Saints will have to become prepared to pull off the upset. New Orleans was able to battle out a win without two of their top targets in Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry last Saturday. The injury report heading into this weekend’s matchup against the Eagles still remains full. New Orleans could be getting a boost on offense if Olave is able to return after missing last week’s contest against Cleveland.
Five Saints players were listed on the DNP list during Wednesday’s practice. The five players were: Alvin Kamara, Marcus Maye, Andrus Peat, Ryan Ramczyk and Dwayne Washington. Marshon Lattimore was a limited participant during yesterday’s practice as he continues to recover from an abdomen injury he suffered in week six.
Scouting the Saints Opponent: Eagles
The Eagles have a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win against the Saints this weekend. Philadelphia will look to rebound after suffering their second loss on the year to their division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas was able to edge out the Eagles, 40-34, in what was a high-scoring shootout.
Key players on both sides of the ball were inactive heading into last Saturday’s matchup as Jalen Hurts and C.J. Gardner-Johnson did not see the field due to an injury. Gardner Minshew had to step in as QB1 for Philadelphia. He was able to find DeVonta Smith for two touchdowns, but he also gave the ball away twice that led to the Cowboys being able to capitalize on the following possessions.
The Eagles will have to clean it up against the Saints as the Cowboys defense forced four turnovers in that game. Like New Orleans, Philadelphia had some key players listed on the DNP list during Wednesday’s practice. The four players were: Jalen Hurts, Lane Johnson, Avonte Maddox and Miles Sanders. Two other players, A.J. Brown and Jordan Davis was listed as limited participants.
This was supposed to be the week that Gardner-Johnson could be activated from the IR this week, but it appears his return will have to wait another week. Philadelphia may be without key players as they will try once against to lock up the top spot in the NFC.
Prediction for Saints @ Eagles:
The Saints have a tall task in front of them as they go up against a Philadelphia pash rush that has been dominant over the past four weeks limiting quarterbacks to just 6.4 yards per attempt. New Orleans hasn’t been pretty on the offensive side of the ball, but when the running game gets going they tend to have success.
Even if Jalen Hurts isn’t able to go in this game, Minshew has shown that he is more than capable of leading the Eagles to a victory this Sunday. Getting Brown healthy will be key for the Eagles to help open up the passing game to their other weapons. With Sanders’ status questionable heading into Sunday’s matchup, New Orleans will most likely see Kenneth Gainwell get the start for the Philadelphia run game.
Expect the black and gold to compete for four quarters against one of the league’s best, but ultimately will fall short as Philadelphia will claim the No. 1 seed and earn a rest period heading into Week 18.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 13, Philadelphia Eagles 27
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