By: Tex DeVille
@CUZ_IM_TEX on Twitter
Coming into this game, the outcome seems pretty obvious: The Eagles could barely beat a Romo-less, Orton-led Cowboys team while the Saints have done better than even their (at least in recent times) expected results, only with a better defense. There are 2 (at times) high powered offenses, true, but it’s the defense that seems to tip the odds in the Saints’ favor. That defense had no where to go but up from last year, but to have the second best allowed passing yards in comparison to last year’s league-worst is an amazing feat, especially considering that the personnel on the field didn’t really change that much. It is this defense, and not the usual Brees-led offense, that will lead the Saints to their first ever road playoff win.
Coming into this game, the outcome seems pretty obvious: The Eagles could barely beat a Romo-less, Orton-led Cowboys team while the Saints have done better than even their (at least in recent times) expected results, only with a better defense. There are 2 (at times) high powered offenses, true, but it’s the defense that seems to tip the odds in the Saints’ favor. That defense had no where to go but up from last year, but to have the second best allowed passing yards in comparison to last year’s league-worst is an amazing feat, especially considering that the personnel on the field didn’t really change that much. It is this defense, and not the usual Brees-led offense, that will lead the Saints to their first ever road playoff win.
The Eagles have
overachieved all year. It is not a secret that I find their “revolutionary”
offense to be overrated. I’m not saying they had no success, but a
“revolutionary” offense does better than 10-6, barely winning a weak division
when your last game is against the worst defense in the league and you aren’t
even playing a starting quarterback. The Eagles are a weak, weak team that will
be shut down and embarrassed. Or will they?
You see, these are all stats and numbers. I’m
not taking into account intangibles. As stated above, the Saints franchise has
never won a road playoff game (the Super Bowl does not count as that is a
neutral field). Brees’s production drastically drops in cold weather games, in
outdoor games, and away from the Superdome. He now has to attack all 3 at the
same time. Not only that, but while the Eagles started 0-4 at home this season,
they ended 4-0. That is a significant momentum swing that has instilled the
Eagles’ faithful with something they haven’t had since Donovan McNabb: hope.
The Eagles did set a franchise record for points scored and led the league in
their rushing attack, but they also averaged a time of possession of a mere 26
minutes. That’s not good for the Eagles against Drew Brees. If a team is going
to give Brees the ball for over half of the game, they are in trouble. Add to
the fact that the Eagles allowed the most passing yards in the league, and you
are looking at a very bad setup for the Eagles.
There is truly one hope for the Eagles: Shady McCoy. The
Saints are more vulnerable on the run than on the pass, so McCoy should have a
good day, but if the Saints (and maybe Mother Nature) manage to force the
Eagles to be one dimensional, it doesn’t matter if McCoy pulls a Space Jam and
steals all the talent in the world; 11 professional athletes smacking you in
the face is going to knock you down no matter who you are. If, however, Foles
is serviceable at QB, the McCoy will get some openings and make this matchup a
game. My money, however, is on the Saints. There are too many weapons,
including Young Gun rookie standout Kenny Stills, the downfield threat of Marques
Coltson, the scrappiness of Lance Moore, and the all-out dominance of Jimmy
Graham. A late note: Pierre Thomas has been ruled out, but as important as he
is to the Saints, I don’t think his absence will be as missed against the
Eagles as it might be down the line.
Prediction:
Saints 34
Eagles 24
No comments:
Post a Comment