New Orleans Saints: Previewing Team’s Week 14 Matchup vs Eagles

Overview

In what could be Taysom Hill’s last stand and the beginning of a successful career for Jalen Hurts, there are a lot of storylines surrounding this game.

Due to the switch in quarterback, we should expect the Eagles to perform much better offensively than they have in the past.

If the Saints have Janoris Jenkins back, however, they may be able to benefit from the lack of depth in terms of weapons for Philadelphia. Additionally, with Hurts’ pocket presence based on his pre-draft evaluations, their front seven needs to perform up to par.

Offensively, Sean Payton needs to continue to avoid obvious passing situations for Hill by being as productive as possible on early downs. That means a heavy dosage of early-down play-action passes, and hopefully not an emphasis on the running game against a stout defensive line.

I feel as though I say this every week with Hill, but the first half could be key. The Saints are not a team that can afford to come from behind with Hill at the helm, whereas their pass rush is built to prey on opposing quarterbacks who are forced to constantly drop back.

Philadelphia has been a below-average team in the first half this season, which could bode well for them getting in that position.

Saints fans should feel nervous about this game. New Orleans has the Chiefs up next week, is anticipating Brees returning, and has to face a team that should have new life injected into them with the insertion of Hurts into the starting lineup; any game with Hill at quarterback is likely to get testy.

I’ll take them to win and cover as a seven-point favorite but don’t do so with a lot of confidence.

As mentioned, every game is critical down the stretch for the Saints to hold onto the No. 1 seed. They’ll need to make sure they don’t let their guard down against the new-look Eagles here, though considering their history with them, they may know better than to do so.

Saints-Eagles matchups have led to a lot of excitement recently, so who knows what could happen on Sunday!