Brees just part of Saints attack Eagles have to be concerned about
For a guy who doesn’t study quarterbacks, Carson Wentz knows a lot about Saints counterpart Drew Brees, whom the Eagles oppose Sunday in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome (4:25 p.m., Fox, WIP 94.1-FM).
Brees is having an insane season, much like Wentz did last year when he set the Eagles’ single-season record with 33 touchdown passes. And Brees has barely worked up a sweat while completing 77.3 percent of his passes with 21 touchdowns, one interception and a 123.8 rating.
The Saints (8-1) are averaging 36.7 points, have scored 40 or more in five games and have won eight in a row.
“He’s done some unbelievable things,” Wentz said. “I love the way he’s clearly thinking fast and processing things fast. He’s extremely accurate. He’s a lot more athletic and able to make plays more than people give him credit for. So, I just love watching him and his competitive nature and really who he is. A ton of respect for him.”
While Wentz is having a solid season statistically with 15 TD passes, three interceptions and a 108.5 rating, we know better. The Eagles (4-5) haven’t had a win streak in this, the season they’re defending their Super Bowl title. And the schedule suddenly is brutal.
Five of the Eagles’ last seven games are against divisional leaders, including two against the NFC East-leading Washington Summary: This won’t be the biggest loss in the Doug Pederson era in terms of sheer points, the 18-point setback to the Bengals in 2016 answering that question. But unless the tackling improves dramatically, the Eagles are going to have their fifth double-digits loss under Pederson.
The pick: Make it Saints 40, Eagles 26.
Redskins. Worse yet, the Redskins (6-3) could take a commanding three-game division lead over the Eagles with a victory over the Houston Texans and a Philly loss to the Saints, who are favored by 8½ points.
“It’s a natural position for us,” Eagles veteran Malcolm Jenkins said. “We’re used to that. It’s probably more comfortable for us. If you’re asking me about opponents, the opponents don’t matter to me because we’re trying to win. I don’t see anybody I don’t think we can beat. But the time, what is this, Week 11? But the time, this is more than halfway through the season so time is of the essence when you’re taking about wins and losses.”
What has been uncomfortable for the Eagles is their tackling. The Eagles missed several tackles in a 27-20 loss last week to running back Zeke Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys. They haven’t been swarming the ball to make up for the misses.
For the second straight week the Eagles will be without one of their best tacklers, cornerback Jalen Mills (foot). Cornerback Sidney Jones (hamstring) could return and cornerback De’Vante Bausby has been promoted to the 53-man roster.
The Eagles activated tight end Richard Rodgers, which should help address issues in the run game and in pass protection. It will be the first game as an Eagle for Rodgers, who was a reliable red zone threat for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
The Eagles don’t like to talk about it, but they realize their best chance to upset the Saints is by riding their ball possession offense. Third down receiver Golden Tate likely will have an expanded role in the offense. The same with rookie running back Josh Adams, the product of Central Bucks South.
And somehow the Eagles have to find a way to make the day uncomfortable for Brees and gamebreakers Michael Thomas, who’s tied for the league lead with 78 receptions, and Alvin Kamara, second in the league with 14 touchdowns.
No one knows how daunting a task that is more than Jenkins, who the Saints selected in the first round of the 2009 draft out of Ohio State.
“It will be a hostile environment,” Jenkins said. “Their team is feeling it. They’re on a roll. We’re going against probably the best quarterback in the league right now. But at the end of the day, they put their cleats on just like we do. We’ve got an opportunity to compete, and we’re preparing to do that.”
The numbers are against a rally that would send the Eagles to the playoffs. Only 13 percent of the teams to start 4-5 have reached the postseason in the Super Bowl era. Then there are the slow starts. It usually takes the Eagles a couple of quarters to get in rhythm. It’s the story of the season.
“Teams have just been better than us in the first quarter from an offensive perspective,” said tight end Zach Ertz, third in the league with 75 receptions. “Once we take a deep breath and get going, I think we get on a roll. We just need to relax early in games and get going early. I think our backs are up against the wall. Typically, as an organization and a team, when we play at our best is when everyone is counting us out. So hopefully we’ll be able to repeat that success.”