The Saints' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Can they survive a visit to face the class of the NFC in the Philadelphia Eagles?
It'll likely be backup Gardner Minshew under center for the Eagles for a second consecutive week. It'll be up to the Saints to take advantage out in a surprisingly warm Philly when these teams meet up in Week 17.
Scroll below for all the info you'll need to follow the game, plus a live score graphic and big-play updates.
THE GAME | Saints (6-9) at Eagles (13-2)
- When: Noon, Sunday, Jan. 1
- Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Betting: Eagles -5.5
- TV: Fox
- Listen: WWL AM-870; FM-105.3 & the Audacy app
- Pregame: Fans First Take, 8-10 a.m.; Countdown to Kickoff, 10-noon
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EAGLES PLAYER TO WATCH: Philadelphia’s starting QB. Starter Jalen Hurts didn’t play in Philadelphia’s 40-34 loss at Dallas last week. Backup Gardner Minshew threw for 355 yards and two touchdowns, but also committed three of the Eagles’ four costly turnovers with a pair of picks and a fumble. Hurts’ status to return from a sprained right shoulder remained in question, with coach Nick Sirianni saying only that his starter would play if healthy. Hurts has been prolific in his second season as starter, throwing for 22 touchdowns and rushing for 13 and combining for 4,219 yards through the air and on the ground while giving defenses fits with his dual-threat ability.
SAINTS PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Alvin Kamara rushed for 76 yards and a TD on 20 carries in last week’s 17-10 comeback victory over the Browns. It was the second straight week in which Kamara received at least 20 carries after hitting that mark just once prior. Kamara has 72 touchdowns and needs one more to move past Marques Colston to become the Saints’ career leader. For the season, he has rushed for 717 yards and two TDs on 184 carries. Kamara was not selected to the Pro Bowl this season after being picked in each of his first five years.
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KEY MATCHUP: New Orleans’s offensive line against the Eagles defensive front. Philadelphia’s front four has wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Haason Reddick (14 sacks), Josh Sweat (11) and Javon Hargrave (10) each have recorded double-digit sacks, marking just the third time since 1982 that has happened. The 1985 Raiders and 1989 Vikings also accomplished the feat. Philadelphia would be the first defense to have four players reach at least 10 sacks if Brandon Graham (nine) can get one against New Orleans. The Saints already have been banged up on the offensive line and lost left guard Andrus Peat to a leg injury against the Browns last week when he was carted off in the first quarter.
INJURY REPORT
SAINTS
- Out: S Marcus Maye (shoulder); LG Andrus Peat (ankle); RB Dwayne Washington (illess)
- Questionable: S Justin Evans (shoulder); CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen); WR Chris Olave (hamstring); LB Pete Werner (hamstring); LB Chase Hansen (knee)
EAGLES
- Out: RT Lane Johnson (groin); CB Avonte Maddox (toe)
- Doubtful: QB Jalen Hurts (right shoulder)
- Questionable: none
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THE SCORE
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
The Associated Press contributed to this report