The Worksheet, a fantasy football overview by Rich Hribar, breaking down everything you need to know for the Week 17 New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles Sunday afternoon game.
| New Orleans | Rank | @ | Philadelphia | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | Spread | -6.5 | ||
| 18.75 | Implied Total | 25.25 | ||
| 20.2 | 22 | Points/Gm | 29.7 | 1 |
| 21.7 | 14 | Points All./Gm | 20.5 | 10 |
| 59.4 | 26 | Plays/Gm | 66.6 | 6 |
| 64.3 | 22 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 62.9 | 12 |
| 5.7 | 10 | Off. Yards/Play | 6 | 4 |
| 5 | 7 | Def. Yards/Play | 4.8 | 2 |
| 44.67% | 12 | Rush% | 49.55% | 5 |
| 55.33% | 21 | Pass% | 50.45% | 28 |
| 45.18% | 25 | Opp. Rush % | 41.36% | 11 |
| 54.82% | 8 | Opp. Pass % | 58.64% | 22 |
- The Saints haven't had a run of 20 or more yards on offense since October 16th (Week 6), the longest drought in the league.
- Over that span, the Saints have the fewest offensive plays of 20 or more yards (25).
- The Saints are allowing 4.6 yards per play since Week 7, the fewest in the league.
- Over the same period, the Saints have allowed the fewest plays of 20 or more yards (23).
- The Saints are averaging 1.42 points per drive (27th) over their past seven games after averaging 2.16 points per drive prior (10th).
- The Eagles have scored a touchdown on 33.7% of their drives, first in the league. League average is 21.2%.
- The Eagles have scored on 54.3% of their first half possessions, the highest rate in the league.
- The Saints have scored on 29.8% of their first half possessions, 30th in the league.
- The Eagles have forced a turnover on 16.3% of opponent possessions, second in the league.
- The Saints have forced a turnover on 6.2% of opponent drives, the lowest rate in the league.
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew: Minshew is on track to start again on Sunday with Jalen Hurts listed as doubtful after he practiced Thursday and Friday.
Minshew was the QB7 (22.7 points) on Sunday against the Cowboys, completing 24-of-40 passes for 355 yards (8.9 Y/A) with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added a rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak.
We knew Minshew had upside in this talented offense and the game conditions and matchup were ripe for a shootout, which we got last week. That said, things are not as rosy this week, which is why I believe Minshew is more of a fringe QB1 and best as a high end QB2 if we dampen the game environment and cannot count on 40 pass attempts or another rushing score.
The Saints are allowing 6.3 yards per pass attempt (second in the league) and a 3.3% touchdown rate (fifth) to opposing passers, while New Orleans is struggling to score points and generate big plays offensively.