Section 215
Fansided

Semi-Coherent Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints Preview

By Mike Lacy

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The Philadelphia Eagles-New Orleans Saints matchup is previewed

Apparently, the win against the Jets was not the magical elixir the Eagles needed to turn their season around. After last week’s disappointing loss to the Redskins, the Eagles find themselves at 1-3. Even worse, they are 0-2 in the weak NFC East. If they don’t get things straightened out soon, they’re going to find themselves out of contention before the end of October.

The good news is that this week’s game is at home, and they’ll be facing another team that has struggled in the early going.

New Orleans Saints

Record: 1-3

Head Coach: Sean Payton

Last Week: Defeated Dallas Cowboys 26-20

The Last Time They Met

When the Eagles and Saints met in a playoff game in January 2014, the Saints were considered by most to be the superior team. However, the game would be played at Lincoln Financial Field, and Eagles fans hoped that would be an equalizer. The Saints were near unstoppable in the confines of the Superdome, but only 3-5 on the road.

Jan 4, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (43) carries the ball as Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Cedric Thornton (72) makes the tackle in the second quarter during the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The cold, outdoor conditions did slow Drew Brees and the Saints offense, and the team was forced to adopt more of a run-based attack. This opened the door for the Eagles, whose offense heated up in the second half. A late touchdown pass from Nick Foles to Zack Ertz gave the Eagles a slim lead, and it was up to the defense to hold.

The defense did not hold. A long kickoff return by Darren Sproles – aided by a 15 yard penalty – gave the Saints excellent field position, and they kicked a game winning field goal as time expired.

What’s New with the Saints

The Saints started off the season 0-3, and after allowing a game tying touchdown late in last week’s game, they were in danger of going 0-4. But an 80 yard touchdown catch by C.J. Spiller in overtime gave the team their much-needed first victory of the season.

Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws the ball for a 80 yard game winning touchdown pass to running back C.J. Spiller (not pictured) during overtime against the Dallas Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won 26-20. The touchdown pass by Brees was the 400th touchdown pass of his career. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Why have the Saints struggled? For years they had one of the best offenses in the league, but they seem to have taken a step back. Quarterback Drew Brees is either starting to show his age, or the absence of some of his more reliable weapons from seasons past is taking its toll. (It seems like just about everyone involved wishes Jimmy Graham was back on the Saints.)

The Saints’ defense hasn’t been a team strength in recent years, and they haven’t been much better this season. They rank near the bottom of most defensive statistics.

Occasionally, I like to get scouting reports from fans of the opposing team, so I asked my friend Cliff for his take on this year’s squad:

"First of all, the demise of Drew Brees is greatly exaggerated. He bounced back from injury last week and shredded the Dallas defense for 359 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also been targeting wide receiver Willie Snead who’s proving to be a clutch receiver behind Brandin Cooks. Brees obviously misses Jimmy Graham, but Watson and Hill have done a great job splitting time at tight end, and former Patriots TE Michael Hoomanawanui joins the team this week adding more depth at the position.Unfortunately, the Saints defense has been absent so far this season."

Featured Saints Player: Hau’oli Kikaha

Eagles fans might have trouble believing this, but it’s possible for a team to draft a pass rushing linebacker and have him contribute immediately. Kikaha was one of the best pass rushers in college, and thus far, his game has translated

Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Hau

well in the NFL. In the first four games of his career, Kikaha has recorded three sacks and forced two fumbles.

Kikaha was strictly a pass rusher in college, but playing outside linebacker in the pros, he’s had to drop back in coverage as well. He’s still growing into this role, so the Eagles may try to exploit him if he attempts to cover one of their running backs when they go out on pass routes.

Key Eagles Storyline: Injuries

Remember two years ago when the Eagles went relatively injury free, and a lot of people suspected that Chip Kelly’s sports science practices might have had a lot to do with it? It seems that they might have just been lucky, and that luck has run out.

For the second straight season, the team has suffered a run of injuries at both the inside linebacker and offensive line. The good news is that the team improved its depth at linebacker in the offseason, and they’ve been able to adequately withstand the injuries to Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks.

Aug 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson (65) takes the field during pre game warmups before game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The bad news is that they didn’t improve their depth at offensive line, and they are paying the price for that now.

Last season, four of the Eagles’ projected starting five linemen missed multiple games. In several of those games, the play of the line clearly suffered. So it seemed strange that instead of adding players via free agency or the draft, they instead cut both of the starting guards. It felt like even if guys like Allen Barbre and Andrew Gardner could step in adequately, there wasn’t much depth behind them.

Starting tackles Jason Peters and Lane Johnson are both not at full strength. But they have vowed to play this week, because as they’ve said, “There’s nobody else.”

Reason to Hate the Saints

I know we’re not supposed to hate the Saints because the team helped the city recover from Hurricane Katrina. But that was ten years ago, and the team won a Super Bowl. I’d say they received their karmic reward and it’s okay to hate the Saints again.

It’s okay to hate these guys again! Image Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles have played the Saints in the playoffs twice in the last ten years and came up short both times. The first time was partly due to questionable decision-making by Andy Reid (shocking, I know), and the second time was partly due to Darren Sproles.

Since that game was part of the reason the Eagles traded for Sproles, maybe in the long run it was good that they lost? I don’t think so; As much as I like Sprolesy, I think I’d rather have seen them win a playoff game.

Nick vs. Sam

Since they were traded for each other, it’s only natural that fans would want to compare how Nick Foles and Sam Bradford are faring on their new teams. I’ll take a weekly look at the two quarterbacks and decide who holds the edge.

Sam Bradford had another bad first half last week as the Eagles were held scoreless before halftime for the second time in three weeks. The second half was a different story, as the Eagles finally threw the ball deep. Long touchdown passes to Riley Cooper and Miles Austin allowed the Eagles to take the lead.

Bradford’s performance in the second half was just about the only encouraging thing I was able to take away from last week’s game. If he can keep connecting on these deep passes, opposing defenses might not be as inclined to crowd the line.

Facing a strong Cardinals defense, Nick Foles had his best game of the season. He was helped by his defense which provided him with a short field on a few occasions, but he certainly came through by completing 66% of his passes and throwing three touchdowns.

Bradford was good in the second half, but a strong performance against a tough defense gives the edge to Foles.

Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles (5) looks on after beating the Arizona Cardinals 24-22 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Mocking the East

Part of the fun of being a football fan is taking pleasure in the misfortune of your favorite team’s rivals. Each week, I’ll find a reason to make fun of one of the other teams in the NFC East. (Note: Although I’m sure I could feature the Redskins every week, I’ll try to spread around the mockery a bit.)

Here’s how crappy the NFC East has been: The Eagles have been awful this season. Just about all of their offseason moves have blown up in their faces, and they look like a train wreck. Yet they’re only a game out of first place, and Vegas bookmakers think they have the best odds to win the division.

It feels like whichever team can put together a four-week stretch of competence will run away with the division.

Super Bowl Year Song of the Week

The Eagles have not made many appearances in the Super Bowl (Two, to be exact). I’m hopeful that this season will mark their third appearance in the “big game,” so each week I’m going to take a song from one of the franchise’s Super Bowl seasons (1980 and 2004) that somehow relates to this week’s game.

Hurt So Bad – Linda Ronstadt, 1980

The Eagles are injured, but the NFL schedule is unforgiving. They hope that their injured linemen can both play and play effectively.

Prediction

Even at his advanced age, Brees is still probably the best quarterback the Eagles have faced this season. The secondary will have to tighten up after a shaky performance last week.

But it won’t matter how well the defense plays if the offense can’t get anything going in the first half again. My hope is that the Eagles continue throwing the ball deep and can take advantage of a seemingly weak Saints secondary.

Eagles 27 – Saints 24

Next: Eagles Podcast: Eagles Struggles Continue

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