who you got tomorrow

[ice grillin you]

tell us what happens tomorrow nite and why....

IGY

the whole key to this game is not get blown out the buidling from the get...i dont think the saints are necessarily that much better of a team...dont get it twisted tho they are better and that combined with the crowd could have the eagle done with the quickness...

it goes without saying that a first drive eagles score would be monstrous...if the game goes to halftime with the spread seven or less then the birds win...but ive seen to many eagle games where the offense is in a supercharged hostile enviroment against a very good or great team the offense just get overwhelmed (ny 01 - pittsburgh 04 - falcons 05 - colts 06)...the x factor here tho is not having mcnabb who usually first panics and then gives up in those situations...perhaps garcia can steady the ship a little better...i just think in the end the dome is going to sink them...if tho the eagles win this game i see them winning the superbowl

34-20 saints in a game that might not be that close


LES BOWEN:

If the Eagles win this game, anything is possible. Which is probably why, in true Philadelphia fashion, I am pulling back from the brink. Give the Birds Lito Sheppard and Jevon Kearse, maybe I'd feel differently, but I've really been impressed by Drew Brees and especially by Sean Payton.

Even though the Eagles had a chance to win, I thought the Saints were the better team back in October. I haven't seen New Orleans much lately, and some of the late-season losses are puzzling. Maybe I'm all wrong about this. Maybe by Sunday we will be getting ready for another NFC title game and wondering who will play Jeff Garcia in the movie (a younger Scott Glenn? Vin Diesel, perhaps?) But I'll be a little surprised if that's the case. SAINTS 31, EAGLES 24.

BILL CONLIN:

When picking stocks or NFL football games, the trend is normally your friend.

This is where history, conventional wisdom and reality normally sweep through the playoff pretenders like a scythe through a field of ripe wheat. The trends are stacked up against the Eagles like a set of tsunamis lined up to wash over a sand spit.

But... Put down the straight razor. Close the window. Drive past the bridge railing. Here are some trend busters: Five of the Saints' six losses were to teams that did not make the playoffs. They were 4-4 in their noisy home. They lost to the taterskins at home. The Eagles are the only NFC team astride a six-game winning streak, so they do have some mojo working.

This is one of those games where you have to trust your Jedi Master. Close your eyes, invoke The Force, then take a big hack with your light saber.

When you open your eyes again, the Eagles will be on their way to the NFC title game with an improbable, messy, exhilarating victory. EAGLES 33, SAINTS 31.

PAUL DOMOWITCH:

The Saints clearly aren't unbeatable, and it doesn't take a juggernaut to slay them. Five of their six losses were to teams that didn't make the playoffs. They lost at home twice in the second half of the season, to the Bengals and the taterskins. The taterskins!

They can't stop the run, which the Eagles have gotten pretty good at, and their very ordinary secondary hardly puts the fear of God into offensive coordinators.

But I just don't see the Eagles' defense slowing down Drew Brees and the Saints' powerful offense. Too many bad matchups. I think the Saints are going to put up at least 27 points and probably more, and I'm not sure the Eagles will be able to keep pace with that.

The resurrection was fun while it lasted, but... SAINTS 30, EAGLES 20.

SAM DONNELLON:

Remember when your team was like the Saints, sitting at home that first week while all those wild-card pretenders banged it out? Remember what you thought about facing Tampa Bay at home for the chance to get to the Super Bowl? Remember how easy you thought Carolina was going to be?

Remember how you expected it to be easy, how you placed your faith in destiny, karma and the most fickle fate of all, homefield?

Well, now yours is the team given little chance. Yours is the team with the umimpressive pedigree, with the underdog mentality, with something to prove. Yours is the team that made its run in hostile environments.

The Saints? They're playing at home, but they're playing under the burden of expectations. They are supposed to win. You remember that feeling. EAGLES 28, SAINTS 10.

MARCUS HAYES:

Drew Brees is no Eli Manning, and that will make all the difference.

Brees led the best passing attack in the NFC. Yes, he will either be without Joe Horn or with a hindered Horn, who torched the Birds for 110 yards and two touchdowns Oct. 15, but Brees will still operate behind an offensive line that allowed only 23 sacks, the fewest of any NFC playoff team, thanks, in part, to going unsacked against the Eagles on Oct. 15. He threw only 11 interceptions, fewest of any NFC playoff starter. And Lito Sheppard is hurt.

The Deuce McAllister/Reggie Bush combination is a potent rushing attack. This will test the Eagles' defense more than the Giants ever could. SAINTS 28, EAGLES 20.

RICH HOFMANN:

The Saints' offense has been held under 23 points six times this season. In those games, the team's rushing totals were 156, 63, 35, 91, 71 and 61 yards. The trend and the imperative for the Eagles, while imperfect, seems clear enough: stop the run, put Saints quarterback Drew Brees in more "known" passing situations, and give yourself a chance.

But how? Run defense has been an issue for the Eagles all season. Better lately, it is still an issue. And now that All-Pro cornerback Lito Sheppard is out for the game with a dislocated elbow, it is hard to see the Eagles cheating on coverage to bolster the run.

It seems obvious that the Eagles' one chance here is to win a shootout. But trying to do that against the NFL's No. 1 offense, with short rest, on the road, in the din of a dome, is way difficult - and that is even acknowledging how good and how balanced the Eagles' offense is right now. SAINTS 30, EAGLES 27.

DANA PENNETT O'NEIL:

The backdrop for this divisional playoff game will be how the feel-good Saints, a team that could have abandoned New Orleans, instead has galvanized a city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

No doubt it's a great story, but it overshadows a rather important subplot - the Saints are a very good football team.

They have not ridden civic pride to a 10-6 record. They've ridden the arm of Drew Brees. Underappreciated since his college days - despite gigantic numbers, Chris Weinke and Josh Heupel received more Heisman votes in 2000, and what are they doing now? - Brees is finally getting his due. More than 4,000 yards in the air will do that for a guy.

Brees will be everything Eli Manning was not last weekend - poised, confident and smart with the football - and will present too much of a tall order for this Eagles' defense even in its rejuvenated state. SAINTS 28, EAGLES 24.

JOHN SMALLWOOD:

Considering the Saints beat the Eagles during the regular season when the Birds were flying high and still had quarterback Donovan McNabb, the odds favor a repeat performance. In fact, the win over the Eagles might have been the crossroads moment of the Saints' rebirth.

The issues are the same. The Eagles' defense has to figure out how to contain coach Sean Payton's dynamic offense, led by quarterback Drew Brees and accented by veterans Joe Horn and Deuce McAllister and electricfying rookie Reggie Bush.

Not having Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard will hurt. Going on the road in a short work week won't help, either. The Birds will score, just not enough. SAINTS 27, EAGLES 24.

VEGAS VIC:

Same teams, same dome, different quarterback. In the first meeting, New Orleans beat the Eagles with Donovan McNabb under center, 27-24. McNabb was 19-for-32 for 247 yards, with two TDs and one interception. Now the Saints will have to face a rejuvenated Jeff Garcia, and Marty Mornhinweg, who has taken over playcalling from Andy Reid. What does it mean? In that first matchup, Brian Westbrook carried only 16 times for 72 yards. Double M will certainly call Westbrook's number more often, and if the last six games are any indication (6-0), it will be another W. Philly was a three-point favorite at New Orleans in October, and is now a 5-point underdog. That's an 8-point swing, and it just doesn't make sense. What does make sense is an Eagle victory, because if they win here, Double V is steppin' out on a limb and sayin' it's on... to the Super Bowl. EAGLES 24, SAINTS 21.


Bob Brookover
Eagles 31, Saints 28

Brian Westbrook has recovered from his stomach virus. Now, he's likely to make the Saints and their fans sick.

Ashley Fox
Eagles 24, Saints 21

The Dome's emotional atmosphere will be staggering. Survive the onslaught and the Saints offense, and move on.

Bob Ford
Saints 27, Eagles 16

They go marching in a few too many times for the Eagles to keep up.

Marc Narducci
Eagles 21, Saints 20

Any team that can lose to the taterskins isn't unbeatable.

Phil Sheridan
Saints 27, Eagles 23

The Eagles could overcome the short week, playing on the road, or losing their best corner. But not all three. Or could they?

Stephen A. Smith
Saints 31, Eagles 27

Drew Brees is flowing, and so are the Saints. Maybe Donovan McNabb could halt this feel-good story, but not Jeff Garcia.

[Diomedes]

Saints 34
Eagles 17

[rjs246]

I just don't see a way that the Eagles win this game without something completely unexpected happening. Like lots of turnovers that result in touchdowns. Or a serious injury to Brees. Or the Saints' team bus crashing into a gasoline truck.

27-17 Saints.

PS. If the eagles DO somehow win this game, I don't see them winning the superbowl at all. They have always been awful against AFC teams, and that didn't change this year, let alone the cream of the crop like the Ravens or Chargers.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I don't see why the Eagles shouldn't put up at least 22-23 points, the way they've been running the ball...

I also don't see how the Eagles can hold the Saints to less than 27-28.

28-22 Saints.

[jeffreyjpa]

Eagles 27
Saints 20

[Rome]

Eagles 23

Saints 21

Eagles defense barely contains Bush & McCallister but Brees has a big day throwing the ball.  Probably close to 300 yards and a couple of touchdowns but also throws a couple of picks to boot.

Eagles offense runs the ball a lot and controls the clock.  Westbrook, Westbrook and more Westbrook.  L.J. finally emerges from his cocoon and has a 75+ yard receiving day.  Garcia has a modest day. . . around 225 passing and a touchdown.

Three field goals again from Akers including the game winner.

On the broadcast front, we'll see nearly three full hours of sob stories concerning New Orleans including eponymous shots of the ninth ward, flood waters overflowing levees, and people stranded on highways.  We'll also see heart-wrenching stories of the good people of New Orleans struggling to overcome tremendous adversity to be able to watch a football game.  We'll also see shots of revellers on Bourbon Street watching the game and tears streaming down the faces of Saints fans as the Eagles walk off the field towards their fifth NFCCG in six years.

The end.

[ice grillin you]

Eagles 23

Saints 21




does spads know you only have the birds winning by 2!!

[SunMo]

if they aren't down by 17 at the end of the first quarter, then I think they'll win.  they've got players who have been in these situations before, so hopefully that will help them late in a close game.

they really need to treat their first drive like it's the last drive of the game, take as long as possible, take the fans out of the game, let the Saints offense sit and watch.  one of the really nice things about the balanced offense since Garcia took over was that they are making a lot of 1st downs, it's not 4 three and outs and a big play touchdown.  for the most part, they are putting together consistent drives and frustrating defenses by keeping them on the field.

basically, you can't count on the defense to win you the game, you have to limit their possessions, get touchdowns whenever you get close, and hang on for dear life with the defense.

i'm probably picking with my heart when i say:

Eagles - 27
Saints - 24

[Rome]

Eagles 23

Saints 21




does spads know you only have the birds winning by 2!!

That was the exact same score I picked in the NFC Playoff prediction thread, dude.

BTW: Much like your faux-ghetto speak, the Spadaro thing is worn out.  Time for some new material, bro.

[phillywin2k5]

Eagles close this out with a field goal in the last 3 mins of the game, and the D stops Brees on a last second drive.
Akers kicks 4, 2 Passing TDs for Garcia

Eagles 26
Saints 24

[hunt]

don't believe all the saints hype...they barely won the last time & the eagles played like crap in that game.

eagles- 27
aints- 20


and it might not even be that close.

[PhillyPhreak54]

I hope to see the Eagles win the toss and take the ball first. The main thing is to operate a ball control offense and control that crowd noise. Garcia has to get himself under control early and not come out like a crackhead guzzling RedBull like last week. Be emotional and pumped but slow the roll a bit, Jeff.

They will probably not have more than 1 sack on defense. If they do I will be shocked. Payton will have Brees 3-step dropping all day and that OL has been pretty good. Their best bet to get heat is to control the A gaps and go after Jeff Faine and Jamar Nesbit. Having Trotter slamming into Faine all night long might help disrupt McAllister too. Faine is a small guy and might not be able to hold up to that.

The DL has to mush-rush on the short drops and get their hands up. Since they likely won't get sacks the next best thing is to shut off Brees' passing lanes. He's only 6'0 so he sometime has trouble seeing his receivers.

Do NOT punt the ball to Bush. Kick it OOB or into the endzone.

If the Eagles play ball control on offense, I like their chances.

Eagles - 24
Saints - 17

[phillywin2k5]

I hope to see the Eagles win the toss and take the ball first. The main thing is to operate a ball control offense and control that crowd noise. Garcia has to get himself under control early and not come out like a crackhead guzzling RedBull like last week. Be emotional and pumped but slow the roll a bit, Jeff.

They will probably not have more than 1 sack on defense. If they do I will be shocked. Payton will have Brees 3-step dropping all day and that OL has been pretty good. Their best bet to get heat is to control the A gaps and go after Jeff Faine and Jamar Nesbit. Having Trotter slamming into Faine all night long might help disrupt McAllister too. Faine is a small guy and might not be able to hold up to that.

The DL has to mush-rush on the short drops and get their hands up. Since they likely won't get sacks the next best thing is to shut off Brees' passing lanes. He's only 6'0 so he sometime has trouble seeing his receivers.

Do NOT punt the ball to Bush. Kick it OOB or into the endzone.

If the Eagles play ball control on offense, I like their chances.

Eagles - 24
Saints - 17

Exactly what i was telling my buddy instead of trying to sack him get the hands up often and mush rush. And please tell Considine to sit on McAllister and Bush during possible screen plays. Dont go for the tackle. I think the Eagles DBs will have a good day, Brown has looked better in the recent weeks , Hood, Hanson, and James should be able to contain the WRs enough, and as long as M.Lewis isnt covering anyone in the middle of the field we should be ok.

[bobbyinlondon]

I think the Saints will choke on the massive expectations that the national media and their fans have placed on them. This is what I said on another board--they're expected to win. One of the writers this morning compared this game to the Eagles vs. Bucs and Eagles vs. Panthers games--both games the Eagles were expected to win and we all know how those games turned out.  Pressure? The Eagles have none on them. After all, they got into the playoffs without McNabb, with a somewhat underachieving defense, now without Sheppard--no, all the pressure is on the great Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Sean Payton. And all of the media has highlighted this week that it's "win one for New Orleans" hype. Meanwhile, the Eagles have kept their head down and prepared for this game--notice how the story this week hasn't been about Garcia, or how the Eagles have made it after being 5-6? I think that will be the difference.

Eagles 27
Saints 17

[MURP]

Eagles- 42
Saints- 13