The final game of the NFL divisional round is here. This match will pit the New Orleans Saints (13-3) against the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles (10-7). The Saints had the top record in the league, and as such earned the bye. Whereas the Eagles had to cut down the Chicago Bears in a thriller to make it to this point. The winner of this contest will play the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC conference final, for the right to play for the Super Bowl.
Catch up on the earlier AFC game Here!
Striking first in this contest would be the visiting Eagles. Nick Foles would find Jordan Matthews for a 37 yard touchdown strike putting Philly up 7-0 early. The Eagles would then add to their early lead as Foles would carry the ball into the endzone from the 1, bolstering the lead to 14-0. The Saints would answer in the 2nd quarter with a touchdown of their own. Drew Brees would connect with Keith Kirkwood for a 2 yard passing touchdown cutting the deficit to 14-7. New Orleans would continue to chip away at the Eagles lead as Wil Lutz would kick a 45 yard field goal making it 14-10 Eagles at the half.
Suddenly the chipping away at the lead would turn into the Saints outright taking the lead. It would be Brees again, this time finding Michael Thomas for a 2 yard passing touchdown and the 17-14 lead. That would conclude scoring for the 3rd, and there was only 1 score in the 4th. That 1 score would determine the winner given how close the game was. Unfortunately for the Eagles who hadn’t scored since the 1st would also not score in the 4th either. It would be Wil Lutz putting this game away with a 39 yard field goal making the final from New Orleans 20-14 Saints. This propels the New Orleans Saints to the NFC conference final where they’ll square off against the Los Angeles Rams.
Of all the games in this round of the playoffs, this was the most passer oriented one of the bunch. This was a clutch performance by Drew Brees who went 28/38 for 301 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Nick Foles was unable to bring the Eagles back to the promised land as he had worse numbers at 18/31 for 201 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions, he also had 1 rushing touchdown. Saints running back Alvin Kamara had a solid outing with 77 yards on 16 carries. Carrying the load for the Eagles was Wendell Smallwood who had 10 carries for 33 yards. Michael Thomas had a monster game for New Orleans getting 171 yards and 1 touchdown on 12 catches. Alshon Jeffery was the top target for Foles getting 63 yards on 5 catches. Only the Saints kicked any field goals today and Wil Lutz managed to hit 2/3 on the day.
Highlights of the game can be viewed Here!
Now the stage is set. With the victory the New Orleans Saints will face the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC conference final for the right to play for the Super Bowl. Be sure to tune in next week for the results on Fandomwire.
