Philadelphia Eagles Are Heavy Underdogs Against New Orleans Saints In Only Divisional Playoff Rematch

The upcoming game between the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints might be the most unique matchup in the divisional round. It’s the only rematch scheduled for this weekend, and it features the largest point spread of the 2019 NFL playoffs.

The defending Super Bowl champions are eight-point underdogs on the road, according to OddsShark. The point spread was as high as nine points Monday morning, and the Saints are the only team to be favored by more than a touchdown this postseason.

It’s easy to see why New Orleans is laying so many points. The Saints were tied for the NFL’s best record at 13-3, and they clinched the NFC’s No.1 seed a week before the regular season ended. Philadelphia is the only playoff team that didn’t win at least 10 games, and they snuck into the postseason in Week 17 when the Minnesota Vikings were upset at home by the Chicago Bears.

Philadelphia upset Chicago at Soldier Field in the final game on Wild-Card Weekend.

When the Kansas City Chiefs host the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots play the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC divisional playoffs, it’ll be the first time those matchups have taken place this season. The same will be the case when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Los Angeles Rams. Sunday’s contest in New Orleans, however, will be a rematch from just a couple of months ago.

The Saints dominated the Eagles 48-7 in New Orleans in Week 11. The 41-point win was the second-biggest margin of victory for any team in the entire season, and the Saints were every bit as dominant as the final score indicated.

The Eagles trailed 24-7 at halftime, and the game was essentially over after the first drive of the third quarter when the Saints took a 24-point lead. Drew Brees was nearly perfect with a 153.2 passer rating, completing 22 of 30 passes for 363 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Carson Wentz had his worst game of the season. The quarterback averaged 4.7 yards per attempt and was picked off three times. Philadelphia ran the ball 12 times for 58 yards. Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara combined for 174 rushing yards for New Orleans.

In the rematch, Wentz won’t be under center for the Eagles. It’ll be Nick Foles that gets the start after winning his fourth straight playoff game with Philadelphia.

Perhaps the Super Bowl MVP will give the Eagles a better chance to upset the Saints this time around. New Orleans closed as a seven-point favorite over Philadelphia in the Nov. 18 contest.