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Philadelphia Eagles @ New Orleans Saints Odds

The Never-Ending Fairytale of Nick Foles

At this point, nothing Nick Foles does should surprise you anymore. Few could’ve imagined the journeyman quarterback outdoing himself after his Super Bowl triumph a year ago. Well, he’s come pretty close to doing just that.

In the wildcard round, Foles threw the game-winning touchdown on fourth-and-goal to stun the higher-seeded Bears, who just happen to have the league’s best defense. He’s now led the Eagles to four straight victories after most had them written off in the wake of Carson Wentz injury.

Foles will face another seemingly insurmountable task on Sunday. This time, he’ll have to outduel Drew Brees and the top-seeded Saints in the vaunted Superdome.   

Not only is the 39-year-old Brees an MVP candidate, he’s also nearly untouchable playing at home. Just look at his gaudy stat line at home this year — 2,251 yards, 21 touchdowns, one interception against a 76-percent completion rate. Like we said, nearly invincible. 

Perhaps it comes as no surprise that sportsbooks are once again doubting Foles and company. Philadelphia are the biggest underdogs of the playoff weekend at eight points. Let us remind you, the Eagles were dogs in each of their last four postseason games — all of which ended in straight up wins. What’s one more on Saturday, right? 

Eagles @ Saints Head-to-Head Trends

  • 1

    New Orleans has won six of the last 10 meetings

  • 2

    Both teams are an even 5-5 against the spread in the past 10 head-to-head games

  • 3

    The over has hit six of the prior 10 meetings between the two

  • 4

    The Saints won the most recent meeting 48-7 in November

Game Preview

It’s easy to look at these two’s meeting almost two months ago — a 48-7 clobbering by the Saints at home, no less — and expect the same result in the postseason. However, that’s just not how football works. Both teams are trending in opposite ways since that matchup.  

New Orleans’ high-flying attack, which finished the season third in scoring at 31.5 points a game, has sputtered as of late. In their past six games, they’re averaging just 21 per contest. 

For the Eagles, Foles has reinvigorated the team again. While there’s no denying he lacks the sheer arm talent of the injured Wentz, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Wentz sometimes tries to do too much. Foles? He’ll take what the defense gives him and that moves the chains — slowly, but surely. 

Moreover, Philly has more fresh bodies this time around. Its roster, particularly at offensive line and in the secondary, were decimated in the prior meeting. Golden Tate is also more involved in the offense after a midseason trade. Darren Sproles is finally healthy and despite being 35 years of age is still a playmaker out of the backfield. 

Speaking of being banged up, that’s very much the Saints offensive line heading into this game. Five different linemen are currently on the injury report for New Orleans. That’s troubling news for a six-foot Brees, especially against a head-hunting front seven like Philadelphia’s. 

If you haven’t figured it out by now, we’re picking the Eagles to cover. Winning outright will be downright tough, but we’re confident the reigning world champions can keep it an eight-point contest. 

Playoff football is very much about getting hot at the right time, and right now, that’s Philadelphia. Wins versus playoff teams Rams, Texans, and Bears over the past month are no fluke. This team is clicking and that’s worrisome for a Saints team that’s been skating by as of late. 

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