THREE STORYLINES

Running back du jour

The Eagles’ mysterious running back rotation at the very least keeps opponents wary of the various strengths on display. Josh Adams seems to work best when he can bounce it outside. Wendell Smallwood, despite being a lot smaller, runs with more power between the tackles. And former Saint Darren Sproles? Sorry to say he’s fading fast but still has his moments.

Momentum vs. rest

This game could wind up being another referendum on the values of giving your key players as much rest as possible before jumping into the playoffs in the second round, as the Saints have done, or proceeding as normal, which the Eagles have been forced to do because they had to scrap at the end just to get into the playoffs. Both methods have succeeded and both have failed.

Revenge or survival?

Some Eagles players have said they’re keeping what the Saints did to them in a 48-7 embarrassment on Nov. 18 in their heads. Others believe that the game will be too tough to worry about any kind of revenge. Like the rest issue for teams who have clinched things so early in the process, there’s no right or wrong approach. But if the Eagles do pull this off, can’t wait for the sound bites.