Three Bold Predictions for Eagles vs Saints
17 November 2018 Opinion
Photo Credit: Elsa-Getty Images
Sitting at 4-5, the defending champions are struggling to find what made them great last season. The Eagles are having a hard time finding big plays, and the injury bug has bit their team which does not help. Last week, the Dallas Cowboys came to town in a game a lot of people expected the Eagles to start their run with. That did not happen, and the home stretch features some of the NFL’s most dangerous teams.
The Philadelphia Eagles have to start a run, and the New Orleans Saints might be the hottest team in the league. Philadelphia’s chances of leaving New Orleans with a win is slim, but here are my three bold predictions for the game.
Sidney Jones Impresses
Ronald Darby, the Eagles leading cover corner, was injured in the game Sunday which ultimately led him to be out for the season. Jalen Mills is still injured, who has had his fair share of downs more than ups this season. This will lead Jones to move from slot corner to outside corner, which is what he played in college. This is a move everyone has expected for some time.
If Jones is ready to go, which seems likely, he will be called upon to be the Birds’ number one cover corner on Sunday.
The Saints rank 8th in the NFL in passing offense, Drew Brees is likely on his way to an MVP trophy, due to the creativity of Sean Payton and the weapons he has around him. Michael Thomas has surfaced as the number one receiving option for Brees, and Jones will likely have the task to guard him more times than not.
A move that has been in the making for quite some time now, Jones will impress on Sunday. It won’t be perfect, but Jones will make plays, letting everyone realize he is meant to be an outside corner, even the coaching staff.
Golden Tate Has A Big Game
Carson Wentz has picked up where he left off from last season, but he has been missing those big plays. Howie Roseman and the Eagles staff decided to go get Golden Tate before the trade deadline, hoping to fix that problem. With two catches for 19 yards against Dallas, Tate didn’t look ready to make that step. He wasn’t a part of the offense in critical situations, due to his lack of knowing the new playbook.
Entering his third week in the new playbook, Tate could have a big game on Sunday. The Saints rank 28th in the league against the pass, allowing 19 touchdowns to only six interceptions. Philadelphia’s offense ranks 11th in the passing game, only three behind the Saints at 8th. All signs point to a shootout, as the Saints allow near 300 passing yards per game.
Tate should be pretty comfortable in the offense by now, and the Eagles will need his big play ability. I could see Wentz hooking up on a deep route to Tate, blossoming a new connection in midnight green.
Eagles Win
As odd as it would be, the Eagles could leave New Orleans with a win. Starting a run against a 9-1 Saints team that is one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now seems improbable, but there is a possibility they could. The Eagles will have to establish a run game against the number one defense against the run, but the passing game could open up holes. Wentz and his weapons will thrive against the 28th best defense against the pass defense in the NFL.
The Eagles are strong against the run, but they are weak against the pass. The Saints are strong against the run, but they are weak against the pass. These two teams are very similar, one team is just being coached at a higher level. A shootout will happen on Sunday, and who is to say Wentz and the Eagles’ offense won’t get the ball rolling this weekend on the road?
Braxton Howard Carson Wentz, Drew Brees, Golden Tate, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Ronald Darby, Sidney Jones