Breaking down major NFL playoff implications in Week 11 schedule

Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints

The Eagles are in a position that few saw coming after they won the Super Bowl and aggressively acquired Michael Bennett via trade: sitting at a season’s crossroads at 4-5 down two games in the division. Unfortunately, they have the ultimate test of traveling to New Orleans in what’s nearly a must-win game.

Their potential saving grace is they still play the Redskins twice this year. Win those and reaching eight or nine total victories could steal the division. But this team is severely lacking the offensive consistency and creativity they produced in 2017.

Losing Frank Reich and John DeFillippo has hurt, as has dealing with injuries along the offensive line, running back position, and wide receiver. Quarterback Carson Wentz has been solid but often what’s around him has let him down in key situations.

The defense also hasn’t produced as many short fields for Wentz as they did last year. The secondary has been reduced to playing random street free agents due to injuries, and there’s little that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz can do to cover for their flaws. Their decision to not invest more into the position for another legitimate starter across from Darby and Sidney Jones has been a lingering issue all season.

It’ll all come to a head this week. I don’t see a pathway for Philadelphia to win in New Orleans unless there are a few turnovers, or the Eagles suddenly play like last year’s playoffs. They aren’t that same team and they lack the ingredients to whip up a quick solution to their personnel limitations.

The Saints will continue to heavily involve future All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas, and the Eagles have no way to slow him outside of committing three defenders his way. Even then, Drew Brees has been so good that he’ll still likely find a small passing window to hit for completions.

Brees is absolutely an MVP candidate at 39 years old with his absurd 77.3 completion rate and 22-1 touchdown to interception rate. He’s not the consistently dynamic downfield passer he once was, but he doesn’t have to be in this era and with these playmakers.

For the most part, the Saints defense has somewhat settled over the last two months. The Eagles will find success with their tight ends and likely slot receivers since the Saints continue to run Cover 4 looks often, but as long as they don’t hemorrhage big plays, their offense will do plenty against a beaten-up Eagles’ defense to get a statement win at home.

Prediction: New Orleans 45-27