Saints favored by a touchdown on the road visiting the Philadelphia Eagles

Although the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles don’t meet often, there’s always a story when they do. Sean Payton and Doug Pederson’s golf bet that allowed the Eagles to wear their home jerseys in the Dome. The 4th and 8 touchdown pass to Alvin Kamara, leading Malcolm Jenkins to flip off the very sideline he’d find himself standing on again just a few years later. The Saints’ playoff victory in Philly that everyone said they couldn’t get because it was too cold outside. Carson Wentz’s pass sailing through the arms of Alshon Jeffery and into the waiting hands of Marshon Lattimore to seal another Saints victory. Incredible finishes and unforgettable moments aplenty.

The Saints are preparing for yet another as they head to the city of Brotherly Love with no love lost between the two teams, especially for former Eagle Malcolm Jenkins. For this matchup, the Saints are currently favored -7 on the road. For the record, the last time the Saints were favored -7 at kickoff against the Eagles, they won 48-7.

Straight-Up: New Orleans (-305), Philadelphia (+260)
Against the Spread: New Orleans (-7), Philadelphia (+7)
O/U: o43 (-110), u43 (-110)

Against Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles currently have the advantage is their 23-game all-time series against the Saints 13-10. Of the 10 games won by New Orleans, they are 5-5 when favored. This is only the second time in the history of their matchups that the Saints have been favored by seven points. Again, they won the the last time convincingly. New Orleans is only 3-6 on the road at Philly but have one two of the last three if you include the 2018 playoff victory. Against the spread all-time there’s no change in record, the Saints are 10-13. The two teams have only combined to hit the under seven times.

Since 2006, New Orleans has lead the regular season series 4-2. The different of having Sean Payton and Drew Brees versus not having Sean Payton and Drew Brees is substantial. This will, however, be the first time Sean Payton has faced the Eagles without Brees. However, the Saints haven’t faced the same Eagles QB twice in a row since their 200 and 2003 games led by Donavon McNabb. Despite the inconsistency at quarterback for both teams, they’ve been consistent with the line. In the last six games, the Saints have covered in all wins and did not cover in both losses. In the last six regular season matchups, the Saints are 3-1 when favored and 1-1 on the road.

Against QB Making First Career Start

This is a common narrative for Saints fans. That the team struggles against rookie QBs making their first starts. And while that is true for a couple of names like Robert Griffin III and Kyle Allen. It’s not so true for guys like Brett Hundley and Matthew Stafford. It’s easy to cherry-pick either way, though so let’s look at the Saints’ records all-time and since 2006 against first-start quarterbacks and what the collective production looks like.

New Orleans is actually 15-7-1 all-time against signal callers getting their first start and 3-4 since 2006. Some of the concern that usually comes from facing rookie quarterbacks is due to their recent record. But when you look at their production against the Saints’ varying defenses the story isn’t so grim. Combined in those games, first-start quarterbacks went 131/224. That’s a 53.7% completion rate. They also have pretty surmountable averages against the Saints with per game numbers of 232 passing yards, 1.14 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 1.6 sacks. Not too bad after all.

Is This the End of Wentz in Philly?

While the New Orleans Saints are very familiar with this process, the Eagles may be entering it themselves, finding a new quarterback to take over. The difference is that the end of the Drew Brees era, while near is amicable. More than amicable, it will be remembered fondly. The potential end of Carson Wentz’s tenure in Philadelphia has all the makings of being tumultuous.

The Eagles could go into this game and begin their evaluation of Jalen Hurts as their next option, or even make the decision by the end of the season to go for another option. They could do so as soon as the 2021 season as long as they move him before the third day of free agency to keep $10M of his extension from kicking in. Trading him amounts in a $33.8M dead cap hit, but frees them a near $24M hit in 2022 where they otherwise have a potential out already built into Wentz’s deal. Whether or not Wentz stays in Philly this offseason may be decided before the end of this season. But where he ends up would remain to be seen.

OVER/UNDER
Hill Passing Yards: 194.5
Hill Longest Completion: 28.0
Hurts Passing Yards: 217.5
Hurts Total Completions: 20.5
Kamara Yards from Scrimmage: 93.0
Kamara Rushing Yards: 63.0
Thomas Total Receptions: 6.5
Thomas Total Receiving Yards: 75.5

ODDS FOR FIRST PASSING TD
Hill: +120
Hurts: +133
None: +750

ODDS ON WHERE WENTZ WILL PLAY IN 2021:
Eagles: -125
Colts: +600
Broncos: +800
Patriots: +1200
FIELD: +680

What did you think of the Saints’ win? Let us know in the comments. Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC , “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel. As always, you can follow me on Twitter @RossJacksonNOLA and subscribe to my daily Saints podcast, Locked On Saints.