New Orleans Saints (1-0) (1-0 ATS) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) (1-0 ATS) 1pm ET, September 20th, Lincoln Financial Field, FOX
By Evergreen of Predictem.com
Point Spread: New Orleans -1/Philadelphia +1
Over/Under: 46
There are several good match ups this week in the NFL, and one of them is in Philly with the Eagles welcoming in the New Orleans Saints. The big storyline with the game is the health and availability of Donovan McNabb, who was injured in the Eagles week 1 win against the Carolina Panthers. McNabb is unlikely to play so Kevin Kolb would be shouldered with the task of keeping up with the high powered offense of the Saints.
Very early lines had the Eagles as 3 point favorites, but mid-week reports on McNabbs rib injury and his doubtful status for Sunday have the Saints as 1 point favorites at most online sportsbooks, although this game is a pickem on many sites. New Orleans is on the money line at -115 with the Philly at -105 and the over/under total for the game is between 46 and 47.
The Saints are fresh off a beat down of the Detroit Lions, a game in which Drew Brees threw for six touchdowns en route to a 45-27 decision. The Eagles should put up a better fight than the Lions defense, but its clear that the Saint offense is among the best in the NFC and may have the offensive MVP with Brees. Defensively, the Saints held the Lions to only 33 rushing yards, but an early lead made the Lions abandon the rush in the second half.
Brees wound up throwing for 358 yards in the game as he spread the ball around to nearly everyone in a Saints uni, including hitting for 222 yards to his four main wide receivers. Tight end Jeremy Shockey hauled in two touchdowns, and Reggie Bush filled his typical role, adding 55 yards on 5 grabs out of the backfield. Mike Bell filled in for the injured Pierre Thomas and ran for 143 yards.
The Eagles looked equally as good against the Carolina Panthers, winning by a 38-10 margin with the defense holding the Panthers to just 169 total yards. The Philly D also forced seven turnovers including picking off five passes and sacked the Panther quarterbacks on five occasions as well.
McNabb had only 79 yards through the air, but did throw two touchdownswith
his rib injury occurred ona touchdown run. Kolb threw for 23 yards on
seven completions in relief and will have to step that up this week if the
Eagles are going to pull off a mini-upset. Jeff Garcia
was signed this week to back up Kolb as Michael Vick remains suspended until
Week 3. Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy
will be big factors thisSunday as the Saints run defense has been kind
to backs recently. The duo combined for 110 yards against Carolina with
Westbrook adding a touchdown reception. Brent Celek led the Philly receivers
with 6 catches and 37 yards, but that likely wont cut it this week so Kevin
Curtis or DeSean Jackson will have to get open to take the pressure off
Kolb and the run game.
The injury reports are littered with players from both teams, but the major listings for the Saints include Jeremy Shockey (quest. ankle) and Pierre Thomas (quest. knee). DL Kendrick Clancy and CB Tracy Porter are also questionable for the Saints, both are dealing with knee injuries. Aside from McNabb, the Eagles are listing DeSean Jackson as probable and S Quintin Demps as doubtful.
The Saints come into this week a perfect 6-0 against the spread as favorites while the Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last five games at Lincoln Financial Field. The over has hit in the last four meetings between these two teams with favorite failing to cover 4 of the last 5 games in the series.
Evergreens Pick: Philly, a home dog all because McNabb is out? LOL (Laughing out loud). Kolb is no slouch! Last I checked the Saints defense is somewhere between swiss cheese and a wet paper bag. The Eagles will be fired up for this game. They win straight up as an underdog!