Previewing 2019 Divisional Round matchup for Eagles against Saints
By Jake Starr
Eagles pass catchers vs. Saints secondary
The last time these two teams met, New Orleans picked off Wentz three times and held him to under 200 yards passing. Odds are, the Saints’ defense will not have that level of success again. Foles and his receivers are clicking on all cylinders right now.
Last week, Foles was able to really spread the ball around on offense. Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Golden Tate, Zach Ertz, and Dallas Goedert all recorded receptions. It is hard to envision the Saints’ secondary being able to take away all of those options from Foles. Chicago couldn’t even do it and they are a much better defense than New Orleans.
The infamous Marcus Williams and Marshon Lattimore are the key cogs to the New Orleans secondary. Former Eagles safety Kurt Coleman and former Giants cornerback Eli Apple round out their secondary. Those four are going to be largely responsible for slowing down the Eagles aerial attack. Can they do that? It will be something worth paying attention to on Sunday.
Cameron Jordan vs. Lane Johnson
Week after week, the Eagles have continued to shut down elite pass rushers, with their latest victim coming in Khalil Mack last Sunday. This Sunday, their next test will come against Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan.
Jordan registered 12 sacks in 2018 and he will likely square off against Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson for most of the game. Johnson, along with left tackle Jason Peters, has answered every test they have faced down the stretch this season, while playing at elite levels.
On Sunday, if Foles is to have success, Johnson is going to have to stay hot and win his matchup with Jordan. The winner of that battle may go a long way in determining who walks away from this game a winner.