Jan 13, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Photo Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Behind quarterback Drew Brees, the running duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara and a strong defensive effort, New Orleans rallied for a 20-14 win over Philadelphia in the NFC Divisional Playoff.
The Saints (14-3) will host the Los Angeles Rams (13-4) next Sunday with a berth in Super Bowl LIII on the line. New Orleans won the regular season matchup with the Rams 45-35 in November.
“We were calm and poised and we knew we were going to get things done,” Brees said.
Philadelphia jumped out to a 7-0 lead when quarterback Nick Foles connected with wideout Jordan Matthews on a 37-yard touchdown pass. The quick score was set up by Eagles cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc’s interception of Brees on the Saints first offensive play of the game.
After holding New Orleans to a quick three-and-out on its next possession, the Eagles marched 75 yards in 10 plays and took a 14-0 lead when Foles found pay dirt on a 1-yard QB sneak with 4:37 left in the opening quarter. It would be the last score of the game for Philadelphia (10-8) however.
Foles completed 18 of 31 passes for 201 yards. He was picked off twice by cornerback Marcus Lattimore. Both interceptions came at critical times.
The first pick swung the momentum of the game. With the Eagles on the move near midfield, Foles took a deep shot to tight end Zach Ertz. But Lattimore made a great play on the ball and the Saints took over at their own 21-yard line.
Following the big defensive play, Brees orchestrated a 12-play, 84-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 2-yard touchdown reception by receiver Keith Kirkwood. It was Kirkwood’s first career postseason scoring reception.
“Listen, they got off to a fast start; they’re a great team,” Brees said. “Nick Foles has done a phenomenal job for them. We knew it was going to be different the last time.”
New Orleans trimmed the lead to 14-10 with 11 seconds to go before halftime when kicker Will Lutz nailed a 45-yard field goal. The Saints took the lead for good late in the third quarter when Brees connected with receiver Michael Thomas for a 2-yard touchdown pass. The scoring play capped an impressive 18-play, 92-yard drive that took 11:29 off the clock.
Lutz added a 39-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to push the Saints lead to 20-14. He missed a 52-yard field goal with 3:03 left in the game that would have given New Orleans a 9-point lead.
Philadelphia took over at its own 34-yard line following the miss and entered New Orleans territory quickly behind a 16-yard reception by Ertz and a roughing-the-passer call against Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport. Two plays later Foles’ pass intended for Alshon Jeffery was deflected by the normally sure-handed wideout and picked off by Lattimore, which ended the Eagles hopes of winning back-to-back Super Bowl titles.
“We were going down to win, but I just felt like we beat ourselves, honestly,” said Jeffery, who had five catches for 63 yards. “Hats off to them.”
Brees completed 28 of 38 passes for 301 yards and two scores for the game. Kamara, who iced the victory with his 12-yard run on third-and-10 from the New Orleans 33, led the team in carries (16) and yards (71). He also added four catches for 35 yards.
Ingram added 53 yards on the ground. His 36-yard run set up Lutz’s last field goal of the game.
Thomas had 12 catches for 171 yards and a score. Ted Ginn Jr. added three catches for 44 yards.
New Orleans’ defense limited Philadelphia to just 49 rushing yards and 250 total yards. Linebacker Demario Davis led the unit with eight tackles. In addition to his two picks, Lattimore had four tackles. Defensive end Cameron Jordan had three stops.
“We were calm and poised we knew we were going to get things done,” Brees said.
