Eagles vs. Saints preview: Will Nick Foles unleash magic again?

Saints Keys to Victory

When these two teams met several weeks back, Brees was his usual sensational self. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 363 yards and four scores in the Saints dismantling of the Eagles. New Orleans also ran the ball well that day, too, as Mark Ingram ran for 103 yards and two scores while Alvin Kamara chipped in 71 yards rushing. Kamara also caught a 37-yard touchdown pass.

Philadelphia’s weakness on defense is it secondary. New Orleans exploited that unit last time as Tre’Quan Smith had a breakout game, catching 10 passes for 157 yards and a score. Michael Thomas finished with 92 yards.

The Eagles will struggle to defense Thomas as most teams do. However, it is imperative that New Orleans head coach Sean Payton keeps Smith involved. His ability to stretch the field could become the difference in this game. The Eagles had no answer for him before and nothing has changed in the secondary.

On defense, if New Orleans can shut down Philly’s running game and make Foles have to throw over 30 times you have to like its chances in this one. The Saints ability to keep the pressure on Foles will be vital, too, as he’s proven he can make big plays with Jeffery when he has just enough time.