The New Orleans Saints have a chance to go 3-0 for the first time since the 2013 season. But to do so, they will have to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at noon in Caesars Superdome. Here are our staff predictions on how Sunday's game will play out.
Jeff Duncan (Season record: 1-1)
Saints 27, Eagles 16: This matchup boils down to two things: Can the Saints shut down the Eagles' rushing attack? And will the Saints come out with the same intensity they showed in Dallas? If the answer is yes to both questions, then the Saints will start 3-0 for the first time since 2013.
Zach Ewing (Season record: 1-1)
Saints 31, Eagles 21: In a typical NFL season, a surprise red-hot start usually comes crashing back to Earth at some point. That time isn't now for the Saints. The Eagles' soft run defense is going to allow New Orleans to continue to dictate the game flow and keep Jalen Hurts at Co. at arm's length, especially since Philly is without A.J. Brown.
Luke Johnson (Season record: 1-1)
Saints 31, Eagles 27: The Saints run defense hasn't faced a test yet like the one they'll get this weekend against the Eagles. It wouldn't surprise me to see both Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts have big games on the ground, making this a tight game. But if there's one thing the Saints want to do offensively, it's run the ball, and if there's one thing the Eagles have struggled to defend, it's the running game.
Matthew Paras (Season record: 1-1)
Saints 30, Eagles 24: Eventually, the Saints will have to a win a game in ways that don't involve running the ball repeatedly. That's not this week. I doubt the Eagles can stop the Saints' rushing attack, and so give me the Saints.
Rod Walker (Season record: 2-0)
Saints 31, Eagles 17: I haven't seen anything to make me pick against this team yet. The Dome should be rocking, making it harder for the Eagles to get anything going. I know the Saints have had their struggles with mobile quarterbacks, but this offense should be good enough to continue the winning ways.
