Sunday features a battle of second-place NFC teams as the New Orleans Saints (5-4, second in NFC South) takes on the Philadelphia Eagles (4-6, second in NFC East). The Eagles will host this one at Lincoln Financial Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 pm ET.
The Saints come into this one trying to snap a two-game losing streak. Last week, they lost on the road 23-21 to the Tennessee Titans.
In the loss, Trevor Siemian had 298 yards passing and two touchdowns. On the ground, Mark Ingram Jr. led the team with 47 yards rushing and a score.
The Eagles have had a little more success as of late, winning two of their last three. Last week, they were able to decimate the Denver Broncos on the road 30-13.
Jalen Hurts had 178 yards passing, two touchdowns, and an interception in the win. He also had 55 yards rushing. Jordan Howard and Boston Scott had a lot of success on the ground against the Broncos, going for a combined 164 yards.
The Eagles are the favorites in this one playing at home. They are -146 to win while the Saints’ moneyline sits at +124. The spread features New Orleans +2.5 (-105), and the over/under for total points is 42.5.
More Odds
The Eagles have the second-best odds of winning the NFC East, but they are still longshots at +1700. The Saints are +500 to win the NFC South. In terms of the Super Bowl, the Saints are +5500 to win it all while the Eagles are +13000.
By The Numbers
The Eagles have had the slightly stronger offense to this point. They currently rank 11th in the NFL, averaging 25.7 points per game (21.8 at home). The Saints rank 13th, averaging 24.7 points per game.
Defensively, it is the Saints with the advantage. They rank seventh overall in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 19.8 points per game (16.2 on the road). The Eagles rank 14th, allowing 23.1 points (28.5 at home).
Shorthanded Saints Try To Pick Up Road Win
This season has not been kind to the New Orleans Saints when it comes to injuries. Not only is starting quarterback Jameis Winston out for the season with a knee injury but Alvin Kamara has also been ruled out for Sunday’s contest.
In total, the Saints’ injured list goes about 20 players deep.
Still, the show must go on, and quarterback Trevor Siemian is trying to step in and lead the team. In three games since taking over under center, Siemian has thrown for 706 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions.
With Kamara out, the backfield is highlighted by veteran Mark Ingram. In three games, he has rushed just 29 times for 117 yards and a score.
Eagles Still Looking For First Home Win
One of the main reasons that the Philadelphia Eagles sit 3.5 games behind the Cowboys in the division has been their play at home. While they are a solid 4-2 on the road, they are just 0-4 at Lincoln Financial Stadium.
Trying to change that is quarterback Jalen Hurts. This season, Hurts has thrown for 2,159 yards, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He has been even more deadly with his feet as he leads the team in rushing with 549 yards and another five scores.
Through the air, Hurts’ favorite targets have been Devonta Smith (603 yards, four touchdowns), Dallas Goedert (429 yards, two touchdowns), and Quez Watkins (408 yards).
Of note, the Eagles will be getting another weapon back for this week as a top running back Miles Sanders was activated from the injured reserve.
Take Philadelphia To Get First Home Victory
With so many injuries, particularly on the offensive side, the only way that New Orleans wins this one is if their defense steps up in a big way.
While that scenario is certainly possible, the Eagles sit in a better spot in this game, especially with the return of Miles Sanders.
Take Philadelphia to win and pick up their first home victory.
