Wide receivers Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry are out, and even when they were in, they were shades of their former selves. The Saints’ best option, rookie receiver Chris Olave, was sidelined with a hamstring strain last week and is also a question mark. New Orleans’ most dangerous weapon has been jack-of-all-chores Taysom Hill. But he’s limited in terms of the number of snaps he can play. And even if he produces an explosive play or two, the Eagles’ pass rush, which is on course to break a franchise record for sacks, has a decided advantage over the Saints’ patchwork offensive line.
Instead of facing an opponent that had nothing else to play for, New Orleans now must make the trip to the City of Brotherly Love to face an Eagles team that doesn't want to squander another opportunity to take care of business, especially if they can do so with a backup QB at the helm. Prediction: Eagles 27, Saints 17— Written by John La Fleur, a contributor to AthlonSports. com, who focuses on the New Orleans Saints and Michigan State Spartans. He also frequently comments on other teams in the NFL and in NCAA football. Follow him on Twitter @FBConnoisseur and read his viewpoints at gridiron-connoisseur.
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Ways to Watch: Saints at Eagles | 2022 NFL Week 17
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Eagles-Saints predictions: Our beat writers make their picks for Week 17Whether Jalen Hurts plays or not, the Eagles should win against a subpar, depleted New Orleans Saints team. The expectation here is that Gardner Minshew starts at quarterback for a second straight week. He showed in Dallas that he can effectively execute an offense that has yet to be contained for virtually the entire season. The Eagles should have matchup advantages at receiver with A. J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and New Orleans unlikely to have its best cornerback, Marshon Lattimore, back in the lineup. Expect to see more than three targets for Dallas Goedert, as well. » READ MORE: Will Jalen Hurts or Gardner Minshew start vs. Saints? Nick Sirianni is noncommittal.
New Orleans Saints vs Philadelphia Eagles Live Stream, TV
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Was that the start of a late-season run at the NFC South title or just a Festivus miracle? Philadelphia wasted an opportunity to put the NFC East on ice last Saturday but can take care of that and claim the No. 1 overall seed in one fell swoop. Jalen Hurts' injury is the bigger concern, however, and the team certainly doesn't want to bring him back too soon. That puts more pressure on Gardner Minshew, but he has a strong supporting cast (on both sides of the ball), so it's not like he needs to worry about doing his best Hurts impression. It also could be said that the Eagles' loss to the Cowboys was as disappointing for the Saints as it was for Philadelphia.
New Orleans vs. Philadelphia Prediction: Eagles Look to
New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles Prediction
How To Watch Saints vs Eagles, Week 17: Live Stream and
Allen, the longtime Saints defensive coordinator turned head coach, is well respected in the Eagles building and has a reputation for leading a sound group, but the Eagles have been successful against the Saints in the teams’ recent meetings. Part of the last two Eagles wins against New Orleans in 2021 and ‘20 were thanks to Hurts’ ability to change the numbers in the run game, but this year’s version of the Saints defense is also not what those previous units have been. The group ranks 13th in defensive efficiency by Football Outsiders and 21st against the run specifically. » READ MORE: Inside Eagles: Jordan Mailata’s parents have traveled nearly 10, 000 miles to see him play in the NFLThe absence of Lane Johnson on the offensive line will be important to monitor, especially if Minshew is at the controls, but the Eagles should be able to run the ball and take advantage of favorable passing matchups on the outside.
The offense leaned on the running game with Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill combining for 132 yards and two touchdowns. The defense did the rest, getting consistent pressure on Deshaun Watson, sacking him twice and picking him off once while holding the Browns' ground game to 3. 6 yards per carry. Cleveland's longest pass went for 10 yards as Watson completed fewer than half of his attempts (15 of 31) for 135 net passing yards. Now with back-to-back wins, New Orleans remains alive in the watered-down NFC South. Philadelphia (13-2) dropped a tough one in Dallas, falling 40-34 with Gardner Minshew replacing an injured Jalen Hurts at quarterback.
Last season, the Eagles gashed the Saints for 242 yards and three touchdowns (on 50 carries) in a 40-29 victory. Neither Hurts nor Sanders went over 100 yards but both still did plenty of damage. Hurts (69 yds. on 18 att. ) had all three rushing scores while Sanders put up a game-high 94 yards on 16 carries.
Hurts' mobility presents a whole different set of challenges, but even if he plays, he likely will try to minimize his rushing attempts. So between a hobbled Hurts and much more statuesque Minshew, it's critical for the Saints to make the Eagles' field general uncomfortable when he drops back on Sunday. Final AnalysisNew Orleans has managed to string together consecutive wins for the first time this season.
Jonathan Gannon has to go with Josiah Scott in the slot for another week, but the cornerback showed earlier in the season that he’s much better with a week of preparation than when he’s forced to jump in midstream. If the Saints get their on-the-fence injured guys back, they have a greater chance to pull off the upset. But I think the Eagles take care of business and clinch the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, and as an added bonus improve the first-round draft pick they acquired from New Orleans. Prediction: Eagles 29, Saints 17The Eagles, this Sunday, have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed in the conference, the first-round playoff bye that comes with it, and some much-needed rest for their starters. Even if Hurts is sidelined, hampered, or otherwise with his sprained right shoulder, the Eagles’ offense has a decided talent advantage over the New Orleans Saints defense.
2 yards through the air on average, the fewest in the NFL. They have picked off 16 passes, tied for second. They also are tied for ninth for fewest pass completions allowed (307). On the other side of this matchup is New Orleans' passing attack, which has been mediocre this season. The Saints rank 15th with 223. 1 passing yards per game. They are tied for 14th with 23 touchdown passes, but that looks worse when you consider they are tied for the eighth-most interceptions thrown (13). Injuries can be pointed to New Orleans' struggles through the air. Expected starters Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry have missed 12 and six games, respectively, and reserves Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway also haven't been able to stay healthy. Instead, the team has had to rely on some unexpected contributors, although the emergence of first-round pick Chris Olave has been a pleasant surprise.
He leads the Saints in receptions (63) and receiving yards (940), followed by Alvin Kamara (55, 480). Tight end Juwan Johnson (36, 425) is next in terms of receiving production, and undrafted rookie Rashid Shaheed rounds out the top five with 19 grabs for 375 yards. New Orleans will need all of its pass catchers to make plays if it has any hope of not only solving Philadelphia's defense but scoring enough points to keep up with the Eagles' explosive offense. 2. Will the Eagles run wild again against the Saints? Two years ago, Philadelphia ran the ball 36 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-21 win over New Orleans. Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders both went over 100 rushing yards in that game.
3. Philly's QB plansHurts, considered by many to be the MVP front-runner, suffered a shoulder sprain two weeks ago. While it would probably be in his and the team's best interests to rest him until the playoffs, the Eagles still haven't clinched the NFC East title, let alone the No. 1 overall seed that comes with the lone coveted first-round bye. As has already been mentioned, Gardner Minshew got the start in Hurts' absence last week and he nearly led his team to victory. But Minshew and Hurts have entirely different skill sets and playing styles, and Philadelphia's offense just isn't the same without the dual-threat signal-caller at the helm. Even with the injury, Hurts returned to practice this week, albeit in a limited fashion.
Eagles-Saints predictions: Our beat writers make their picks
Philadelphia's rushing attack comes into this game fourth at 153. 8 yards per game, but there have been some hills and valleys. The Eagles have piled up more than 200 yards on the ground in four games. They also have been held under 100 in four contests. But one thing that has been pretty consistent is Philly's ability to get into the end zone. The Eagles lead the league in rushing touchdowns with 31. Compare that to the Saints, who have 11 in 15 games.
How to watch Saints at Eagles Week 17: Live stream, TV
I like his chances. Andy Dalton has been an efficient quarterback for the Saints. He isn’t flashy, but he’s managed to avoid catastrophe, for the most part, in his 11 starts. His problem has been that he hasn’t had the weapons New Orleans has long had at the skill positions. Running back Alvin Kamara has lost a step and he’s questionable for Sunday.
How to watch Saints at Eagles Week 17 - NBC Sports