The New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles were among the league's preseason darlings, picked by many to be playoff contenders and challenge for one of the top spots in the NFC.
Saints vs. Eagles 2015 picks and predictions: Philly favored in matchup of 1-3 teams
The Eagles and Saints are both 1-3, and neither can afford another loss if they’re going to remain in the playoff hunt.
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A month later, things are looking very different. With a combined two wins between them, the Eagles and Saints are simply fighting to salvage their seasons and keep their faint postseason hopes alive. They have to be labeled as huge disappointments so far, but the experts have more confidence in Philadelphia turning around its season this week with a win over New Orleans.
Both teams are 1-3, but they aren’t dead yet. A losing record at the quarter pole of the season doesn’t totally wipe out a team’s chances of reaching the playoffs. Since 1990, 25 teams have rebounded to qualify for the playoffs despite losing three or more of their first four games -- an average of one team per year.
The Eagles are one of those bounce-back teams, pulling off the feat just two years ago in Chip Kelly's first season. Last year they were 3-1 after four games and still missed the playoffs. Is this poor start in 2015 a silver lining for Kelly and his team? Even in the pedestrian NFC East, they still have an uphill battle to get back in the race. They are sitting in last place and already have two losses to division opponents, Washington and the Cowboys.
The Saints' path to the playoffs is even tougher than Philly's. The Panthers and Falcons are both leading the NFC South at 4-0, and looking primed for a deep playoff run. But don't count out the Saints. After finally getting their first win of the season last week, New Orleans appears to be headed in the right direction.
In his return from a shoulder injury, Drew Brees had an excellent performance -- 33 of 41 for 359 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions -- though he probably wasn't fully healthy and rarely tested his arm with downfield throws. He should be closer to 100 percent this week, though -- he participated fully in practice and was not listed on the team's injury report.
The experts agree that Philadelphia probably has too much talent to be under .500 right now, and think it’ll get closer to that mark with a win on Sunday. Seven of the eight guys at CBS Sports are siding with the Eagles, and the ESPN panel is also going with the home team by an 8-5 margin.
Here at SB Nation, it’s another near-consensus pick for Philly, with only PFT Commenter taking the Saints.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark Computer | |
| NO @ PHI | PHI | PHI | PHI | PHI | PHI | PHI | NO | PHI |
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