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Welp, it’s all over.
The Philadelphia Eagles won’t be repeating as Super Bowl champions after losing to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday evening, 20 to 14.
Sucks it had to end like this.
FOURTH QUARTER
Saints 10th drive: Saints run the ball and the Eagles take their final timeout. Saints run again and it goes for no gain. On 3rd-and-10, Kamara breaks free for a first down. Season over.
Alshon Jeffery ALMOST had it pic.twitter.com/yQXEQ039N7
— SB Nation (@SBNation) January 14, 2019
Lattimore off the tip with the interception! Saints ball!
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) January 14, 2019
(Via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/jncYyaHO1x
Eagles 10th drive: Foles to Ertz for a big first down and the Eagles are in Saints territory. Foles throws to Jeffery underneath but it goes right through his hands and into the hands of Lattimore. Devastating.
Saints 9th drive: Now Maddox is hurt. So ridiculous. Cox disrupts a screen to bring up 3rd-and-13. Brees to Thomas with Hawkins beat in coverage goes for another first down. Too easy. That’s probably the game. Bennett picks up a tackle for loss on third down and the Saints settle for a 52-yard field goal attempt. It’s ... NO GOOD. Omg. Eagles still alive!
Eagles 9th drive: Foles throws down the field to Agholor on 2nd-and-5 but the receiver isn’t even looking. Welp. Ball out too early? Bad job by Agholor? Both sides clearly not on the same page there. Foles double clutches and overthrows Ertz on third down but P.J. Williams is called for pass interference. Generous but the Eagles will take it. Eli Apple breaks up a contested catch thrown to Tate to bring up third down. On 3rd-and-8, Foles overthrows an open JMatt. Ugh.
Saints 8th drive: Add Kamu Grugier-Hill to the list of injured Eagles players. On 3rd-and-5, Brees finds Tre’Quan Smith for a first down. Then Mark Ingram breaks off a big run. Saints call a timeout as they face a big 3rd-and-7. Brees throws short of the sticks to Kamara and LeBlanc makes a great open field tackle to force the Saints to a field goal. Critical stop by the defense. Saints settle for the 39-yard field goal and make it. Saints lead, 20 to 14.
Eagles 8th drive (continued): Foles chucks it down the field for Jeffery but the wide receiver stumbles and takes down Lattimore with him. Fortunate no offensive pass interference penalty there. Halapoulivaati Vaitai in the game for Jason Peters at left tackle now because the Eagles weren’t already dealing with enough injury issues. Eagles get to 3rd-and-8 and Foles chucks it down the field to Tate. Underthrown pass is incomplete. Potentially had Tate for a touchdown if that ball is out in front. Eagles punt.
THIRD QUARTER
Eagles 8th drive: Smallwood starts the drive with a 3-yard run. Foles hits Ertz for 17 yards and a first down to bring up the end of the third. One more quarter to go.
.@cantguardmike grabs the go-ahead TD!@Saints lead 17-14. #HomeInTheDome #NFLPlayoffs
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2019
: #PHIvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/9J0ohrzCa0
Saints 7th drive: Saints start at their own 8-yard line after a special teams penalty. Douglas back in the game at corner, which is good to see. Or not, because he’s called for defensive holding. Upon replay, that’s a real tacky flag. Saints methodically march to midfield. Maddox breaks up Brees’ deep shot to Taysom Hill. Hill had a step but the ball was underthrown. Then Hill throws a touchdown to a wide open Kamara ... but it’s called back due to Haloti Ngata getting held. Fortunate. Brees responds by immediately hitting Thomas for a first down. Lots of ups and downs in this sequence. LeBlanc almost nabs another pick after a tipped Brees pass goes into the air but it falls to the turf instead. Needed that. Saints move into the red zone after converting a 3rd-and-15. Kamara gets to the edge and takes the ball to the 2-yard line. Brees throws to Thomas and the Saints have a lead for the first time in this game. 18-play, 92-yard drive by the Saints there. Saints lead, 17 to 14.
Eagles 7th drive: Eagles set to receive to start the second half. Smallwood runs for three yards. Flag comes out for delay of game on second down but Doug Pederson avoids it by burning a timeout. Short Foles throw to Jeffery brings up 3rd-and-4. Foles throw a jump ball to Jeffery on third down but it’s incomplete. Jeffery wants a flag, no call. Another punt coming. Offense just can’t get it going.
SECOND QUARTER
Eagles 6th drive: Foles takes a knee to end the first half.
Saints 6th drive: Saints start at their own 6-yard line with just over a minute remaining in the half. Two straight completions get the Saints to their own 39-yard line. Brees throws underneath to a wide open Kamara, who brings the Saints to the Eagles’ 32-yard line. Saints take their final timeout with 35 seconds left. Brees throws for another first down but the play comes back due to another hold on Cox. Welcome back, Fletch! Saints back at the Eagles’ 42-yard line with 28 seconds to go. Saints pick up 15 yards and spike the ball with 11 seconds remaining. Saints attempt a 45-yard field goal and Will Lutz nails it. Eagles lead, 14 to 10.
Eagles 5th drive: Eagles take over at their own 23-yard line with 1:51 left in the second quarter. Foles throws a beauty of a ball to Jeffery, who makes the catch and goes out of bounds for a first. Eagles pick up a Saints blitz but a diving Ertz can’t hold on to Foles’ throw. Eagles run a draw to Sproles who is tackled for a 1-yard gain. On 3rd-and-9, Foles’ pass is tipped by Cam Jordan. Incomplete. Eagles have to punt again.
Saints 5th drive: Saints get to 3rd-and-4 from their own 39-yard line. Chris Long and Jernigan meet at the quarterback for a BIG sack. Good pressure from Bennett there, too. Needed that stop.
Eagles 4th drive: Foles has to burn a timeout with the Saints’ crowd noise being so damn loud. Foles hits Sproles on a screen for a first down. Eagles get to 3rd-and-5 from their own 44-yard line but Jason Peters moves way too early. On 3rd-and-10, Foles holds on to the ball and ultimately throws it into the ground near Sproles. Punt coming.
hey @AlabamaFTBL, check out this good fake on special teams
— SB Nation (@SBNation) January 13, 2019
@thecheckdown pic.twitter.com/kkuEpkiwcT
Saints 4th drive: Josh Hawkins in at cornerback with Rasul Douglas bangd up. That’s ... not ideal. On 3rd-and-1, the Saints run but it’s stuffed. Fletcher Cox draws a holding call but it’s declined. The Saints line up to punt but it’s a snap to Taysom Hill, who picks up a first. And now Cox is hurt. UGH! Eagles jump offsides and Brees hits a wide open Thomas in the middle of the field to put the Saints at the Eagles’ 24-yard line. And now Bennett is hurt too. What is happening?! Saints get to 3rd-and-goal from the 9-yard line. Brees hits Thomas but LeBlanc tackles him at the 2-yard line. Sean Payton going for it on fourth down. On 4th-and-goal, Brees throws to an open Keith Kirkwood for a touchdown. Josh Hawkins trailed in coverage. Eagles starting to feel the impact of injuries ... Bennett, Cox, Douglas, Graham, all banged up. Eagles lead, 14 to 7.
Eagles 3rd drive (continued): On 2nd-and-8, Foles hits Jeffery’s extended arms for another first down. Alshon’s so strong. Foles takes another shot down the field but the ball meant for Ertz is picked off by a leaping Marshon Lattimore. Ugh. Underthrown. Ertz had a step on Lattimore. Did not need to let the Saints back in this game like that.
FIRST QUARTER
Eagles 3rd drive: Eagles take over with 27 seconds remaining in the quarter. Smallwood runs for two yards and that’s the end of the first.
Saints 3rd drive: Saints start deep in their own end after a bad decision by Alvin Kamara to take it out of the end zone. Saints then suffer a tackle for loss but Tim Jernigan is called for taunting. Gotta be smarter than that, Timmy. Brees fumbles the snap exchange and then the Saints take a false start to get back to 2nd-and-19. On 3rd-and-10, Brees connects with Thomas for the Saints’ first first down. Took them long enough. LeBlanc breaks up a Brees pass to bring up 3rd-and-8. On third down, Brandon Graham strip sacks Brees! And he tries to pick it up but can’t control it. The Saints ultimately recover ... and the refs rule it’s a first down because the Eagles had possession and fumbled it?! No way. The play is reviewed and the refs correctly rule the Eagles never had possession. So it’s Saints’ ball but still fourth down, so it’s time for another punt.
.@NickFoles, sneaky athletic. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/f1RpHt1wXq
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 13, 2019
.@TheWorldof_AJ plays above the rim.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/4Ds9vpoq44
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 13, 2019
Eagles 2nd drive: Eagles toss to Nelson Agholor, who runs for a first down. Like the creativity. Foles to Tate for a 12-yard gain and another first down. Smallwood running hard, takes another carry for five yards. Foles throws underneath to Agholor and it’s another Eagles first down. Meanwhile, Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is hurt. Would be a significant loss for them if he can’t return. And now it’s significant injury for the Eagles with Brandon Brooks getting carted off. That’s not good. Stefen Wisniewski in to play right guard. Foles airs it out on 3rd-and-7 and Alshon Jeffery comes back to the ball for a big catch! Great back shoulder throw. Eagles now at 1st-and-goal from the 4-yard line. Smallwood runs forward to put the Eagles JUST shy of the goal line. Foles sneaks it on 2nd-and-goal and the Eagles are up TWO TOUCHDOWNS. Honestly, are you even surprised? Eagles lead, 14 to 0.
Saints 2nd drive: Michael Bennett stuffs a Saints carry for no gain. Brees’ pass along the sideline is incomplete to bring up third down. On 3rd-and-10, Brees airs it out deep to Michael Thomas and ... it’s incomplete. Avonte Maddox was step-for-step with Thomas. Nice coverage by the rookie.
.@NickFoles drops a dime to @jmattjmattjmatt, and we have the early lead.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/hWp9b40unx
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 13, 2019
Eagles 1st drive: Eagles go with a throw to Golden Tate and then a run with Wendell Smallwood to bring up 3rd-and-1. Foles fakes a handoff on third down and completes to Zach Ertz for a first down. Nice. Foles to Smallwood on a screen for another first down, couldn’t break free to get even more yards. Eagles go back to Smallwood on the ground and he powers forward for an 8-yard gain. On 2nd-and-2, Foles hits an open Jordan Matthews for a touchdown! P.J. Williams simply lost JMatt in coverage, but still a great throw and catch. What a way to make a statement. Eagles lead, 7 to 0.
First play, @Strap_Ent puts the mask on.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/0oEXLb6H5S
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 13, 2019
Saints 1st drive: Saints start at their own 35-yard line. Drew Brees airs it out deep on the first play and ... it’s picked off! Cre’Von LeBlanc leaps and intercepts the underthrown ball! GREAT START! That’s just Brees’ second interception in the Superdome this season.
Coin toss: Eagles win the toss, elect to defer. Saints set to receive first.
PREGAME
This is your live updates thread! Check back for highlights/commentary/score changes/etc. If you’re looking to talk about the game in the comments, you can CLICK HERE for the first quarter open thread and follow along for the remaining threads throughout the game.
GAME INFORMATION
The rematch is here.
After losing to the Saints in New Orleans by a final score of 48 to 7 in Week 11, the Philadelphia Eagles are eager to prove they’re better than that team that got blown out.
It won’t be easy for the reigning Super Bowl champions and that’s an understatement. This Saints game is clearly their toughest test yet. No team has ever defeated Sean Payton and Drew Brees at the Superdome in the playoffs.
But if there ever were a team capable of doing it, it just might be this Eagles squad. They’ve defied the odds time and time again. After all, underdogs are hungry dogs, and hungry dogs run faster.
If you believe in karma, you might feel like the Saints have something coming for them. They called the Eagles “fraudulents.” They made some Eagles player feel like they were running up the score in Week 11. Philadelphia shouldn’t need extra motivation for this game but the Saints have given it to them.
In all likelihood, the Eagles will need to put forth an incredible effort to win this game. Doug Pederson and Nick Foles especially need to come up huge in this spot. We’ll soon see if the team is up to the challenge.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch this one.
TV Schedule
Date: Sunday, January 13, 2018
Time: 4:40 PM ET
Channel: FOX
Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis, Pam Oliver, Peter Schrager
Referee: Carl Cheffers (Eagles 5-7 in 12 games)
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome | New Orleans, Louisiana
NFL Network replay: 12:30 AM ET on Monday, January 14
Radio: SportsRadio 94WIP | WESTWOOD ONE: Kevin Harlan, James Lofton, Ross Tucker | SIRIUS: 88 (WW1), 82 (Phi), 83 (NO) | XM: 88 (WW1), 226 (Phi), 225 (NO)
Online Streaming
Odds
Per Bovada, the Eagles are significant road underdogs.
Philadelphia Eagles +8 (-110)
New Orleans Saints -8 (-110)
History Lesson
The Eagles are 16-12 in 28 all-time regular season appearances and 1-2 in three all-time playoff appearances against the Saints.
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Social Media Information
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Eagles 2018 Regular Season Schedule
Week 1 - vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sept. 6, 8:20 PM ET, NBC) NFL Kickoff Game
Week 2 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sept. 16, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)
Week 3 - vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sept. 23, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)
Week 4 - at Tennessee Titans (Sept. 30, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)
Week 5 - vs. Minnesota Vikings (Oct. 7, 4:25 PM ET, FOX)
Week 6 - at New York Giants (Oct. 11, 8:20 PM ET, FOX/NFLN) Thursday Night Football
Week 7 - vs. Carolina Panthers (Oct 21, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)
Week 8 - at Jacksonville Jaguars (Oct. 28, 9:30 AM ET, NFLN) London Game
Week 9 - BYE (Nov. 4)
Week 10 - vs. Dallas Cowboys (Nov. 11, 8:20 PM ET, NBC) Sunday Night Football
Week 11 - at New Orleans Saints (Nov. 18, 4:25 PM ET, FOX)
Week 12 - vs. New York Giants (Nov. 25, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)
Week 13 - vs. Washington Redskins (Dec. 3, 8:15 PM ET, ESPN) Monday Night Football
Week 14 - at Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 9, 4:25 PM ET, FOX)
Week 15 - at Los Angeles Rams (Dec. 16, 8:20 PM ET, NBC) Sunday Night Football
Week 16 - vs. Houston Texans (Dec. 23, 1:00 PM ET, CBS)
Week 17 - at Washington Redskins (Dec. 30, 4:25 PM ET, FOX)
Eagles 2019 Playoff Schedule
Wild Card - at Chicago Bears (Jan. 6, 4:40 PM ET, NBC)
Divisional Round - at New Orleans Saints (Jan. 13, 4:40 PM ET, FOX)