The reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles looked as though they would miss the playoffs a few weeks ago, and now they are one of just eight teams remaining in the divisional round. They head to New Orleans to face the Saints, a team that the joint best record during the regular season and one that looks primed for a long playoff run this season.
Eagles fans will no doubt be pleased with what happened last weekend, they looked more like the team of last year and while things weren’t perfect, they were better than what we saw from them in the regular season. The problem for Philadelphia is that to beat the New Orleans Saints unless the Saints have a really bad day, they will need to be perfect just to compete, and that doesn’t look like something they can do at the moment.
Nick Foles came in for Carson Wentz last season to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl and he is back again this season as Wentz is once again injured. He has shown glimpses of what we saw last season, but this is the biggest test so far for him. He faces Drew Brees, a man with many weapons and a man that has been in fantastic form so far this season. He has to match him if the Eagles want to win this.
With Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas by his side, there is no doubt that Drew Brees leads one of the best offences in the NFL today. This team looks every inch a Super Bowl challenger, and if they continue their regular season form in the playoffs then the Saints look sure to challenge strongly. Many teams come into the playoffs needing to show more and find another level, and that is often what finds teams out, however, the Saints were so good in the regular season that all they need to do is replicate their form.
The Eagles fairy tale would love to go on, but in this game, they come up against formidable opposition and a team that could well win the Super Bowl this season. The Eagles may push hard, but the Saints have far too much for them, and providing they play their own game then the Saints should win this one comfortably
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I am backing the Saints on Sunday night to be the final team to make Championship weekend next weekend.
