Gameday – NO at PHI

Posted: January 1st, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Comments Off on Gameday – NO at PHI

The calendar has flipped to 2023, but the Eagles are still very locked in on the 2022 season. If they can beat the Saints today, the Eagles will win the NFC East and secure the top seed in the NFC playoffs.

The Eagles have the best record in the NFL. The Saints don’t even have half as many wins as them. Should be a win for the Birds. Yes, but it isn’t just who you play. You also have to factor in when you play them and where you play them.

The Saints are riding a two-game winning streak. Now they get back their best CB and best WR. Their 6-9 record isn’t good, but this is the best the Saints have been in a while.

As for the Eagles, you’ll be shocked to find out that Gardner Minshew will start today. Nick Sirianni hemmed and hawed all week, but 97 percent of planet Earth knew Minshew was going to start. The coaches will be able to build off what worked well last week and they will need to fix the areas where there were errors.

Minshew won’t face as good of a pass rush, but the Saints are better in coverage, especially with the return of Lattimore. New Orleans has struggled at times with run defense. It will be interesting to see if the coaches try to focus more on the run. In a fantasy world, the Eagles will build a lead and be able to run the ball and work the clock. The Saints are allowing less than 15 points per game over the last four weeks. Building a lead on them won’t be easy.

I think Sirianni will have the Eagles ready to play. The team was highly frustrated with last week’s loss. They will be motivated to go win today. The only thing you have to be careful about is not thinking too much about last week. That game is over. I’m guessing the team will be focused on the Saints and beating them.

Interesting that Opeta sits and Josh Sills is active. Jack Driscoll will likely start at RT. Andre Dillard can sub in at LT or OG. Sills might be the backup RT. Cam Jurgens can play C or G.

The Saints struggle to score points. The Eagles defense needs to come out and play well. They need to limit big plays and keep the Saints off the scoreboard as much as possible. A takeaway or two would be nice.

One statisitical goal…a sack for Brandon Graham. That would give the Eagles four players with 10 or more sacks, something that has never been done in NFL history.

Turnovers were an issue the past two weeks. If the Eagles protect the ball, they should win this game. My tip for the Eagles coaches…don’t force the ball to Quez Watkins. He’s been involved in several of the turnovers. Feed the ball to AJ, DeVonta and Dallas. Let those guys make plays and the Eagles will score some points.

Special teams is an X-factor in every game. The Eagles are ranked higher in STs DVOA than the Saints. Maybe that will give them an advantage.

Style points would be nice, but the most important thing is for the Eagles to find a way to win.

And stay healthy.

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