Interesting stats about the Eagles and New Orleans:
The Eagles lost their first 4 games in NO, and have been 7-3 since in the Big Easy (at the Superdome).
The Eagles won the only prior playoff meeting between the two teams, 36-20 in 1993.
In the first meeting between the teams this year, the Eagles held the Saints rushing game to 97 yards on 30 carries (3.2 ypc), and did not allow a rush beyond 12 yards.
Meanwhile, the Eagles ran the ball 19 times for 99 yards (5.2 ypc), while throwing 35 times. (65-35 pass/run)
Full Comparison:
Offense:
NO: 391.5 ypg (1), Rushing: 110.1 ypg (19), Passing 281.4 ypg (1)
PHI: 381.4 ypg (2), Rushing: 124.0 ypg (11), Passing 257.4 ypg (3)
Defense:
NO: 307.3 ypg (11), Rushing: 128.9 ypg (23), Passing: 178.4 (3)
PHI: 328.1 YPG (15), Rushing: 136.4 ypg (26), Passing: 191.7 (9)
Not as much of a disparity as you'd believe...
I don't feel bad about the game--I preach the same thing every week, but if the Eagles can contain the ground game, defined by holding the Saints under 130 yards rushing, and they keep Bush out of the endzone, I don't think the Saints CAN win the game.
As far as our corners go, people forget that Will James was a hell of a corner, and I'd rather have him on Colston than Lito anyway, just for the height difference alone. I'd also feel better with Lito on Joe Horn, but you can't win them all. I don't see the Saints winning an air-only game. If their run game gets bottled up, they just aren't going to be able to win...
When the Saints make their rushing average of 110 yards per game (7 games), they are 6-1. When they don't (9 games), they are 4-5. When they're under 95 yards rushing (7 games) , they're 2-5. Their run game is VITAL to their success, and is the key to the Eagles winning the game.
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Philiadelphia @ New Orleans
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