Going Back To The Big Easy - Saints Talk

[bobbyinlondon]

I just tried to google it and didn't immediately see an easy answer so forget it. But I've read several articles over the past few years talking about the advantages of home teams coming off of a bye both in the playoffs and during the season. I'm sure there will be another at some point this week. Sports journalists love to recycle their stories.

Don't worry about it as Wingspan's post was informative enough. According to the numbers he posted, since 1997 the home teams are 27-9 (.750 or 3/4 or 75%).

According to some articles posted in the Philly papers, since the league went to this playoff setup in 1990, the home teams are 52-12 overall, 28-4 in the NFC. If you want some good karma, Reid has been involved in two of the 4 games the visitors won--he was an asst coach for the Packers when they won at SF in 1995, and of course,  he coached the Eagles to the win over Chicago in 2001.

[SD_Eagle5]

Another thing I haven't seen mentioned regarding our last meeting with the Saints was that McCallister was having a great day and the Saints were rolling before he got injured in the 2nd quarter.

[ice grillin you]

three of the four nfc home team losses have come this decade...which imo is due to how bad the nfc has been and the absence of any great teams...which bodes well for the eagles altho this game will not be your normal road game as the atmosphere will be second to none (perhaps in playoff history) this sat nite in the superdome....i also think the saints are probably the strongest 2 seed the nfc has had this decade...granted thats not saying a whole lot

[cj2112]

Success in this game can only happen if the Eagles, when possible, run it down the throats of the Saints.  Simply put we need to keep their offense off the field because we won't be able to get to Brees and we have a size disadvantage in the secondary.  The short pass game plus effective play from the opposing running game spells an Eagles loss.  The wildcard is the ability of our offense to control the clock; thus Westy, Buck and the O line need to be in absolutely fine form. 

A win for the good guys will certainly come from a combination of 200 yards on the ground, less than 100 yards from Deuce, and a couple of breaks in turnovers. 

I wouldn't overstate the Katrina thing, as well as the emotion and the inexperience of the Saints.  The Eagles under Reid went from inexperienced to experienced in a hurry.  Nowhere is it written in stone that your first home playoff game in ages has to be a dud.

[Phanatic]

I would love to see the Eagles control the clock with a grinding running game. Hopefully the game plan is better then last week's effort against the Giants.

[methdeez]

We need to play a great game and get some lucky breaks in order to win. Also, I would love to see Westy coninue to return punts. He will break one (when it counts) any minute now.

[Geowhizzer]

In all my expertise in football talk, I can definitively say that in order for the Eagles to win, they must score more points than the Saints.

[shorebird]

this game will not be your normal road game as the atmosphere will be second to none (perhaps in playoff history) this sat nite in the superdome....

I agree. I agree, it will be a media blitz. But as much as Katrina devastated the land down there, what has been almost as bad football wise is the fact that the Saints have sucked so bad for so long. Now, they actually have a good team. They have one of the best qb's in the game right now. They finally look like they have a decent no. 1 pick in Bush. Who can forget the Reggie Williams debacle with Mike Ditka wearing dreadlocks?? I want the Eagles to win more than anything, but you can't help but be happy for the people down there seeing that they have a exciting team with a very good looking future, 'specially after the hurricane. I just hope that their future right now is looking foward to the NFL draft.

[Eaglez]

It will be a close game. I think the Saints are getting over-hyped and granted they are well coached I don't see them blowing anybody out.

It will be tough for the Eagles to win, but it will be a hard fought game for both teams and I don't think this is any way will be a gimme win for the Saints if they pull it out.

Over the past month and a half I expect a fight out of the Eagles. Yeah, it will probably be hectic in New Orleans, but in the playoffs if a team makes a few clutch plays the momentum can make a complete 180.

[MadMarchHare]

The Eagles have a puncher's chance, but it'll be tough.

The Saints are 4-4 at home, so much for that impossible homefield advantage.
They lost to the stinking taterskins just a few weeks ago, behind a huge game by Betts.  The Skins D also got Brees moving out of the pocket.

For the Eagles to win, they'll need to stick to the run, minimize NO possessions, and play some great D up front.

[Geowhizzer]

The Eagles have a puncher's chance, but it'll be tough.

The Saints are 4-4 at home, so much for that impossible homefield advantage.
They lost to the stinking taterskins just a few weeks ago, behind a huge game by Betts.  The Skins D also got Brees moving out of the pocket.

For the Eagles to win, they'll need to stick to the run, minimize NO possessions, and play some great D up front.

That would mean that the Eagles would have to pretend they have a pass rush.

[PhilLeeD]

After watching Replay:

Eagles only blitzed like 4 times well into the 3rd Quarter.
Trotter got burned several times trying to cover Horn, especially down the middle of the field.
McCoy was terrible and added a Horse Collar Tackle.  Lewis got burned on the double move.
Bush and McCallister kept getting swing passes, pitches and rushes to the outside.
Eagles used all of their time outs, muffed punt, 12 men on the field... and still only lost by 3.

The Eagles have a good chance if they can string out the runs and tackle outside.  They also need to stop the stupid mistakes.  Westbrook and Buckhalter looked good on the playing surface.  More runs and good ball management may protect Garcia from #94 for the Saints.

[MadMarchHare]

I wouldn't read too much into this game from what happened damn near three months ago.  They are a much better team than when we last faced them, at least on offense.

[PhilLeeD]

Yeah, it was a while ago. 
I do see N.O. trying to do the same things though.  On offense that is what they have, that and trick plays.  They have showed that they can play a lot better and pass a lot more at times. 

The Eagles D has changed a whole lot for the better at LB.  Trotter still cannot cover anyone running down field.  He just not fast anymore, but he can stop the run.

Honestly, Andrews and Runyan got outplayed a few times and got McNabb sacked and hurried several times.  They are both playing better and need to take some attitude into this game.  (as long as Runyan don't take it overboard...)

I think we have a good chance.

[Don Ho]

I wouldn't read too much into this game from what happened damn near three months ago.  They are a much better team than when we last faced them, at least on offense.

thank you.  that was a long time ago and several earthquakes ago - that was the day the big one hit hawaii.  Whole different ballgame now sportsfans.  I refuse to get caught up in the first meeting.  Bush, McCalister, Brees, WR's all scare the shtein out of me.  birds got their work cut out for them.  I am most concerned about our defense.  We don't wrap up McCalister or Bush on the inital hit we are in a heap of shtein.