It’ll be a NFC-NFC battle as the New Orleans Saints (-8) are big favorites against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. This late afternoon matchup is scheduled to get going at 4:40 p.m. ET and fans can watch the action on FOX.
Betting Preview: New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia is a noticeable road underdog in this NFC game and is currently getting 8 points. The Eagles are also receiving +250 moneyline odds while the Saints are -310. It appears that there could be some good live betting opportunities in this game, and Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points.
Sharp bettors have been siding with the under, as this game’s total initially opened at 51.5.
Each team has rewarded gamblers this year as the Eagles have gained 3.8 units while the Saints are up 2.9 units.
The Eagles are 10-7 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Saints are 13-3 SU.
The Eagles are coming off a 16-15 win over Chicago in Week 18. The passing attack left much to be desired as Nick Foles completed 25-of-40 passes for 266 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Darren Sproles (just 21 yards on 13 rushes) led the ground attack in the win while Alshon Jeffery (six receptions, 82 yards) and Zach Ertz (five catches, 52 yards) manned the receiving duties.
Two weeks ago in Week 17, Carolina got the victory against this New Orleans team by a score of 33-14. The Saints defense let the Panthers kill the clock by rushing for 111 yards on 37 attempts, including two rush TDs. D.J. Moore put up a productive outing in the win for Carolina, accounting for 81 yards on four catches. For New Orleans, Teddy Bridgewater completed 14-of-22 passes for 118 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Dwayne Washington (108 yards on 11 rush attempts) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat while Michael Thomas (five receptions, 29 yards) and Tre’Quan Smith (three catches, 30 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack.
Philadelphia has run the ball on 39.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while New Orleans has a rush percentage of 47.6 percent. The Eagles have rushed for 94.8 yards per game and have 12 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Saints are totaling 126.6 rush yards per game and have 26 total rushing TDs.
If 2018 numbers are any indication, then it appears the Saints might have the advantage when it comes to RB effectiveness, since their running backs has logged 4.3 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.6 to opponents. The Eagles have tallied 3.8 yards per carry while allowing 4.6 YPC to opponents.
The Eagles offense has averaged 281.8 yards in the air overall and has 31 passing TDs so far. The Saints have recorded 260.9 pass yards per game and have 33 total pass scores.
Defensively, Philadelphia has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 95.1 yards and pass for 289.5 yards per game. The New Orleans defense has given up 288.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 80.2 yards per game on the ground. The Eagles are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.45 to opponents, while the Saints have given up a 7.01 ANY/A.
Offensively, Foles has put up 1,458 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has connected on 138-of-202 attempts with seven scores through the air and five interceptions. Foles has a 6.36 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.35 over the last two games.
The Eagles have tried to maintain the pace by putting the ball into the hands of their running backs. In addition to receiver Alshon Jeffery (866 receiving yards and five touchdowns), Wendell Smallwood (331 rush yards, three rush TDs, 226 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Josh Adams (463 rush yards, three rush TDs, 25 receiving yards) have been big focal points in the Philadelphia offensive scheme.
Drew Brees has completed 364-of-489 passes for 3,992 yards, 32 TDs and five INTs for New Orleans. His ANY/A stands at 8.47 for the season and 8.12 across his last two outings.
The Saints will also try to control the game’s pace by turning to their backfield. In addition to Michael Thomas (1,296 receiving yards, eight receiving TDs), Dwayne Washington (154 rush yards) and Alvin Kamara (883 rush yards, 14 rush TDs, 709 receiving yards, four TDs) have gotten a multitude of touches lately.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints Free Betting Pick
SU Winner: Saints, ATS Winner: Saints, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- New Orleans has lost nine fumbles this season while Philadelphia has lost 12.
- The New Orleans D has sacked opposing QBs 49 times this year. Philadelphia has produced 46 sacks.
- Philadelphia has averaged 2.9 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.0 over its last two.
- New Orleans has averaged 5.1 yards per carry over its last three outings and 5.2 over its last two.
- In its last three contests, New Orleans is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Philadelphia’s last game was 42. The under cashed in the team’s 16-15 victory over Chicago.
- In its last three contests, Philadelphia is 2-0-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for New Orleans’ last match was set at 41.5. The over cashed in the 33-14 defeat to Carolina.
- Philadelphia has won seven of its last eight games SU, with a six-point loss to Dallas on December 9th representing the only defeat over that stretch.
