Dec 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. New Orleans defeated Tampa Bay 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday, Jan. 4
New Orleans Saints (11-5) at the Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
TV: NBC
Time: 8:15 p.m.
Projected Weather: High: 28, Low: 22, zero-percent chance precipitation
This is the playoff game I’m looking forward to the most this weekend because I really want to see if the Eagles can keep the momentum they had last week against the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East title and if the Saints can actually play some inspired football on the road for the first time in quite a while.
The Saints are the team I’m most intrigued by because not only is there a question if they can win on the road, but can they play in the cold weather of Philadelphia? In my opinion, the offense of the Saints isn’t the same team when they have to play not only away from the Superdome, but outdoors as well.
Nick Foles, I believe, can do damage against the Saints in this game, but I really think LeSean McCoy (1,607 yards, 9 TDs) will be the one who leads the Eagles against the Saints.
Foles passed for 2,891 yards in 13 games (10 starts) as he was 203-of-317 with 27 touchdowns and two interceptions. Last week in their “NFC East Championship Game,” Foles was 17-of-26 for 263 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Earlier this year, Foles threw seven TDs in a game, and he hasn’t thrown an INT since Week 15.
For the Saints, of course, we have to watch Drew Brees in this game. He finished the regular season with a 104.7 rating as he was 446-of-650 for 5,162 yards. He completed 68.6 percent of his passes and threw for 39 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
With all that said, I don’t know if the Saints can overcome playing on the road. If this was in the Dome, I wouldn’t hesitate in my prediction, but this one has made me think.
Game Prediction: Eagles 21, Saints 17