Officially, today's game between the Eagles and the New Orleans Saints isn’t an elimination game for the Birds, but it sure has that feel.

A loss wouldn't eliminate the Eagles from the playoff race, but make it an extremely difficult to earn a Wild-Card berth. A loss would put the Eagles at 4-6, and make a NFC East division championship about the only realistic path the the NFC playoff party.

Following this game, the Eagles will face their three NFC Est rivals, which could get them back into that race, but a win today, could bring back that feeling that the Eagles could still make some noise this season.

With a lot on the line, let’s look at the matchup.

 

Lane Johnson's knee remains a concern. He missed last week's game with a MCL injury, but he is expected to be active this week, which would be a huge help to this struggling offense.

The Eagles offense can’t commit a turnover. In each game this season expect the Eagles win over the Giants, quarterback Carson Wentz has had costly turnovers, including a interception early in the game vs Dallas last week. He has three interceptions and lost five fumbles - something that can't happen vs New Orleans if you want to beat them in their building. 

Whose the No. 1 back. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said this week you can expect Josh Adams will get more carries going forward, but we'll believbe it when we see it.  The rookie from Notre Dame is averaging 6.25 yards per carry over the last three games, but he only has 20 attempts.  We'll see if Pederson dials up more run plays and tries to play keep away from Drew Brees and the Saints offense.

 

A return for Sidney Jones. The Eagles secondary has been a mess the last few weeks, decimated by injury and picked on by opposing passers.  But getting Jones back could help sure some things up, and give the Eagles brass a better look at what they have in the 2017 second-round pick, who would have been a first-rounder if not for an Achilles tear suffered during this pro-day at Washington.

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