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Previewing 2019 Divisional Round matchup for Eagles against Saints

By Jake Starr

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 04: (L-R) Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints talks with Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles after their NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 4, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The New Orleans Saints defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 26 - 24. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 04: (L-R) Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints talks with Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles after their NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 4, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The New Orleans Saints defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 26 - 24. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Get pressure on Brees

To put it simply, if the Eagles allow Brees to sit back and take his time in the pocket, he will pick apart the Eagles’ defense. While the secondary has been playing much better lately, Brees has the ability to expose even the best defensive backfields.

Obviously, the goal is to get pressure with four. If the Eagles can do that, and leave seven defenders back in coverage, they should be able to at least be able to slow down the Purdue product. But, if four rushers aren’t getting the job done, then the Eagles might have to dial up some blitzes.

Brees is an elite quarterback in this league, and he is better than what the Eagles have faced over the last few weeks. The Eagles defense is going to need to find a way to get him off his rhythm and possibly force him into making some mistakes.

Don’t let Kamara beat you

Last week, the Eagles did a great job with Bears do it all running back Tarik Cohen. The Eagles held Cohen to just three catches for 27 yards. On Sunday, the Eagles must do a similar job in containing Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

Kamara rushed for 883 yards in 2018 to go along with 709 receiving yards. Against the Eagles, he ran for 71 yards and caught a 37-yard touchdown. If he has a big game, then it will be almost impossible for the Eagles to stop the Saints on offense.

Bend, but don’t break

New Orleans is going to move the ball, that is just the fact of the matter. The Eagles may be able to get some stops, but it will be impossible to shut down the Saints’ offense. The key will be keeping the Saints out of the end zone when they get inside the red zone.

Holding the Saints to field goals, rather than touchdowns, will be huge in keeping the game within reach for the Eagles’ offense. The Eagles have shown an ability all year to tighten up when opponents get inside the 20-yard line, and that trend must continue on Sunday.

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