The Eagles welcome Drew Brees and the Saints to Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff (see scouting report).
Both teams are looking to avoid a 1-4 start (see 5 things to know). Who will it be? Our experts offer their predictions:
Reuben Frank (1-3)
One of these days, the Eagles' offense will once again look like the Eagles' offense. I think. It will happen Sunday. I think. The Saints are the perfect team for Sam Bradford and the Eagles' offense to finally get rolling against. I think. They're last in the NFL in yards allowed per play a 6.5. They're 27th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game at 123. They're allowing an NFL-worst 9.4 yards per pass attempt. They have no interceptions. Drew Brees is still lethal. Deadly accurate. Maybe not as dangerous as ever but not that far off.
But eventually the Eagles are going to put together 60 minutes of consistent offensive football and unleash one of those vintage Eagles offensive performances on an opponent. Running the ball, throwing the ball, converting third downs. The works. It will be this week. I think.
Eagles 30, Saints 27
Derrick Gunn (0-4)
Both Bill Davis and Chip Kelly referred to Saints quarterback Drew Brees as an offensive coordinator playing quarterback. That's not good for an Eagles defense to hear considering it made Redskins QB Kirk Cousins look like an elite QB after he walked his offense 90 yards down the field for a game-winning touchdown. Brees, a future Hall of Famer, doesn't throw the deep ball like he used to because of a shoulder injury, but he can still carve a defense up in the short passing game.
This is about as close to a must-win situation as the Eagles can get for momentum and morale. The Saints' defense is porous and young. Sam Bradford and the offense should be able to run and pass with efficiency in this game. I don't know what to make of this Eagles team up to this point, and I don't even want to think about what if it loses this game. Unless the Eagles show me something Sunday, this might be the last time I pick the them to win until they actually win a game.
NFL
Eagles 27, Saints 20
Ray Didinger (0-4)
At 36, Drew Brees has lost something off his fastball but the bigger problem is his supporting cast, which has been stripped bear over the last few years. No Darren Sproles, no Jimmy Graham, no Pierre Thomas, no Kenny Stills. His O-line doesn't do him any favors either (10 sacks allowed). The six-point line is pretty fat for a 1-3 Eagles team that hasn't shown much so far, which suggests the bettors really like the home team in this spot.
Eagles 24, Saints 21
John Gonzalez (1-3)
I will die on this hill. (The comments section has no doubt prepared a touching eulogy for me.)
Eagles 21, Saints 17
Corey Seidman (1-3)
I've picked the Eagles to win each week, meaning I have the same record as they do. But what can I say? Again, I feel like this matchup favors them. The Saints are always worse on the road, their secondary is still getting healthy, and the Eagles' run defense should make New Orleans one-dimensional, which is not a good look for a QB with an injured throwing shoulder.
The Saints have allowed the most 40-plus yard pass plays in the NFL, the sixth-most rushing yards, and the third-most receiving yards to tight ends.
Eagles 28, Saints 24
Andrew Kulp (1-3)
I'm sticking with the Eagles. Most of their issues are correctable, most of their mistakes self-inflicted. It really is execution. They're beating themselves (see All-22 film review).
Some would argue that's the mark of a bad team, and they wouldn't necessarily be wrong. I still believe the Eagles are better than this.
Sam Bradford looked great last week when he wasn't under pressure or being let down by his receivers. Drew Brees is hurting, in decline and isn't getting a lot of help from the Saints.
This is either the week the Eagles get back on track, or when even the last optimists admit it's over.
Eagles 28, Saints 24
Andy Schwartz (1-3)
Ugh, thought the Eagles would scratch out a win last week and fell seconds short of nailing the final score. We'll try it again this week.
As they were after the disgusting Dallas game, the Eagles are desperate, and they're facing a Saints team that's also desperate but doesn't like playing outside, especially with Brees limited by shoulder problems.
Eagles 20, Saints 16
Dave Zangaro (0-0)
If last week was a must-win for the Eagles, what is this week? A must-must-win? Yeah, I guess.
The Eagles absolutely need their offensive line to be better against the Saints. If that can happen, maybe the defense won't be forced to play 40 minutes. There's an idea! And, if there was a week the run game could get started, it's probably this week.
The Saints have given up 123.3 yards per game on the ground in their first four games so there should be some opportunity. Chip Kelly will need to make an effort to give the ball to DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews even if it doesn't go well early.
It's hard to pick the Eagles right now, but here it goes …
Eagles 31, Saints 27