The Eagles clinched the NFC East title last week with a 24-22 win over the Cowboys (see last week's predictions).
Tonight, Lincoln Financial Field will host its first playoff game since 2010, when the Eagles square off against the Saints. It'll also be the Birds' first playoff game since that 2010 loss to the Packers, and Chip Kelly's first playoff game as an NFL head coach against the NFL's fourth-ranked offense led by a surefire Hall of Fame quarterback (Drew Brees).
Our (cough) experts weigh in:
Geoff Mosher
I think the Saints are beyond ticked off about what's been said/written about their record outside the Superdome. My hunch is that their 3-5 road record has more to do with playing against some really good defenses -- Seattle and Carolina among them -- than some mythological deficiency in outdoor venues. I have a hard time seeing Drew Brees struggle against this Eagles defense.
Saints 31, Eagles 26
Reuben Frank
The Saints have the Hall of Fame quarterback, the Super Bowl coach and the best tight end in the game. The Eagles have momentum, and in a playoff game, I'm going with the hot team. The Saints lost three of their last five games. The Eagles won seven of their last eight. It's really that simple. The Eagles have a hot quarterback, a hot running back, hot receivers and a defense that's held its last six home opponents to 16.7 points per game. They're not losing this game. On to Charlotte.
Eagles 27, Saints 24
Ray Didinger
It is a little scary that so many fans are already counting this as an Eagles win based almost entirely on the weather. It is going to be cold and the Saints are a dome team and they've never won a playoff game on the road, etc. But as Chip Kelly pointed out, many of the same fans said the same thing about Tampa Bay before an NFC Championship game not so long ago and we know how that turned out. So weather alone won't carry the day. The Eagles actually have to win the game, which won't be easy.
The Saints are good on both sides of the ball. The offense and defense each rank fourth in the league. Their pass rush is fierce and Drew Brees is the best quarterback the Eagles have faced since Peyton Manning and that didn't go so well. But this is the time of year when hot teams tend to prevail and the Eagles are the hotter team, winning seven of their last eight games. The Saints won just two of their last five games, both at home.
Eagles 27, Saints 24
NFL
Derrick Gunn
The Eagles' run this season has been nothing short of remarkable. From 4-12 to 10-6 under rookie head coach Chip Kelly, who has this team headed in the right direction, and young players have shown there is a solid nucleus to build on for the future. Standing in their playoff path is one of the best sharpshooters to ever step under center in Drew Brees.
Brees just completed his third straight season of passing for more than 5,000 yards, the fourth time he's done that in his career. And he's thrown for more than 4,300 every year since 2006. In the regular-season finale against Tampa Bay, Brees tied an NFL record by completing passes to 11 different receivers.
I still have visions of Kyle Orton throwing for 358 yards against the Birds' defense, and old man Jason Witten dissecting their pass coverage. Now they must contend with Jimmy Graham, the best tight end in the league. If the Eagles try to take away Graham, there's rookie speedster Kenny Stills, or Marques Colston, or Darren Sproles or Lance Moore. It just goes on and on.
LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Nick Foles and company will have to bring their A-games for this one. The Saints' offense is ranked fourth in the league as is their defense. The D also rated fourth in the NFL with 49 sacks.
The Saints have never won a road playoff game (0-5) and temperatures are expected to be in the low-20s at kickoff but little or no wind. The Eagles won't back down, and it should be a good game. But I just feel Brees will be the difference maker. The Saints go marching on.
Saints 30, Eagles 23
John Gonzalez
Two quality quarterbacks. Two excellent offenses replete with outsized skill position players. Two better-than-expected defenses. Two men at opposite helms that will be legitimate coach of the year candidates. Two organizations that recovered from disappointing seasons a year ago to reach the playoffs yet again. Two teams that have a real shot.
You could see it going either way for either group -- a quick exit or a long run for either the Saints or the Eagles. Toss up. Hold your breath while the coin is in the air and fate is still uncertain about the outcome.
Saints 28, Eagles 24
Andy Schwartz
If this game's in the Superdome, the Saints are the easy pick.
But it's not.
As you've read all week, the Saints just aren't the same team outdoors (see game notes).
They've never won a road playoff game in their history (Super Bowl being a neutral site).
My gut tells me that's about to change.
If the Eagles are going to win, they have to record four sacks and two turnovers. I'm not counting on it.
Drew Brees will find a way, and the inexperienced Eagles (see story) will make one mistake too many.
Saints 27, Eagles 20