It’s been months since the New Orleans Saints won against the Philadelphia Eagles 48-7 last November in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. This time, however, there’s been a shift in attitude.
Saints center Max Unger says that now, the Eagles are coming in hot. “When you play teams that get hot late in the season and carry that momentum into the playoffs, especially with what they were able to do last year as the defending world champions, they know what they are doing. They are peaking at the right time.”
Since their 41-point loss, the Eagles have stepped up to win six of their past seven games. Eagles coach Doug Pederson said, “Just the way this team has come together at the end of the season, to be counted out with three games to go…this team believes in everything we’re doing.” Saints coach Sean Payton has noticed a difference, and it’s not just Carter Wentz’ replacement, Nick Foles.
“We’re different. It’s a different mindset. It’s a different football team,” Pederson continued. “We’re a different group than when we played New Orleans the first time. We’ll learn from it and obviously have been better since.” The Eagles (10-7) are set to play against the Saints (13-3) on Sunday in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. Kickoff is set for 3:40 P.M.