NFL Trends and Indexes - Week 9 (Thursday, November 1 - Monday, November 5)

[Udog]

NFL weather watch: Steelers' travel plans altered

Detroit Lions at Jacksonville Jaguars (5, 44)

Site: EverBank Field

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the low-80s with sunny skies. However, fog could reduce visibility in the first half of the game. Winds will blow light out of the west.

Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks (-4, 38.5)

Site: CenturyLink Field

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the low-60s with a 55 percent chance of showers. Winds will blow out of the south at 12 mph.

Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants (-3, 48)

Site: MetLife Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the high-40s under partly cloudy skies. Winds will blow from the north at 10 mph. Remember, the Steelers had to alter their travel plans due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. The team was originally scheduled to fly in Saturday, but will instead travel early Sunday morning and return to Pittsburgh following the game.

[Udog]

NFL

Monday, November 5

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Tale of the tape: Eagles at Saints
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Take a quick glance at the tale of the tape for Monday night’s showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints.

Offense

Although he scored two touchdowns, RB LeSean McCoy was held to just 45 yards against the Falcons last week. McCoy could take the mounting pressure off the Eagles' passing game by getting untracked against the Saints, who most recently allowed 225 yards on the ground to the Broncos. Michael Vick was held under 200 yards passing for the second time in three games, throwing for 191 despite 35 attempts. Coach Andy Reid was mulling over a QB change for this contest, but has decided to give Vick a shot at redemption against the Saints.

Drew Brees' job security is in far better shape than Vick's, but his performance in Sunday night's 34-14 setback to Denver left a bit to be desired. In interim coach Joe Vitt's first contest since returning to the sideline from suspension, the top-rated passing game mustered just 213 yards. The Saints will be without RB and second-leading receiver Darren Sproles, who recently underwent hand surgery. The New Orleans rushing attack has been limited to 72.6 yards per game this season - a full 12.5 yards less than 31st-ranked Oakland.

Edge: Saints


Defense

The Philadelphia stop unit didn't show much improvement last Sunday in its first game since secondary coach Todd Bowles replaced Juan Castillo as defensive coordinator. The Eagles surrendered a season-high 146 rushing yards and allowed scores on the Falcons' first six possessions. Less than 15 months after being diagnosed with a brain abnormality, DT Mike Patterson was activated from the reserve/non-football illness list Saturday and will suit up Monday.

New Orleans is the first team since 1950 to allow 400 yards in seven consecutive games. The Saints rank 30th in points allowed (30.9) and are allowing an NFL-worst 474.7 yards per game, more than 100 worse than last season's team which went 13-3. They showed no improvement last Sunday, allowing a season-high 530 yards.

Edge: Eagles


Special teams

The Saints' special teams took a hit this week with the injury to Sproles, who handles both kickoffs (averaging 28.7 yards per return) and punts (a 6.6-yard average). Special teams captain Courtney Roby (shoulder) has also being ruled of Monday night’s contest. However, K Thomas Morstead boasts an average punt of 51.3 yards (second highest in the NFL) and the return coverage is keeping that at 46.4 average yards net on punts – tops in the league.

The Eagles' special teams are nothing special, largely because coordinator Bobby April doesn't have the personnel to work with. April said WR Damaris Johnson will return punts vs. the Saints. "Damaris will be the guy. I know he's looking forward to it," April said this week. "He's from New Orleans. It'll be a big homecoming for him and I think he'll play really well."

Edge: Saints


Word on the street

"They are fixable…There were a lot of things (that were covered in) training camp, day one kind of things that shouldn't have happened. We corrected them in the meetings and we'll go from there." -- Todd Bowles on the team’s defensive issues.

"My biggest nightmare against Michael Vick was in 2004 in a playoff game when I was with the Rams… That was my first exposure to him, and he ran for 180 yards. I want to say this about Michael Vick, he is truly one of those gifted athletes that, from a coaching standpoint, can keep you up at night."—Joe Vitt on his perception of Michael Vick.


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[Udog]

NFL

Monday, November 5

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Monday Night Football: Eagles at Saints
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Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints (-3, 51.5)

Two of this season's underachieving teams will meet on Monday night as the Philadelphia Eagles invade the Crescent City for a date with the New Orleans Saints. While Drew Brees will undoubtedly be at the helm of the struggling Saints, initial reports had Eagles coach Andy Reid mulling the idea of a change at quarterback. Despite the talk, Michael Vick will resume his traditional role of starting, albeit after guiding a flat offense once again in a 30-17 loss to undefeated Atlanta last week.

Brees' job security is in far better shape than Vick's, but his performance in Sunday night's 34-14 setback to Denver left a bit to be desired. In interim coach Joe Vitt's first contest since returning to the sideline from suspension, the top-rated passing game mustered just 213 yards as New Orleans' two-game winning streak came to an end. Once again, a porous defensive effort contributed mightily to the Saints' undoing - a factor which could help the Eagles snap a three-game losing skid.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Saints -3, O/U 51.5.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (3-4): Although he scored two touchdowns, running back LeSean McCoy was held to just 45 yards against the Falcons. McCoy could take the mounting pressure off the Eagles' passing game by getting untracked against the Saints, who allowed 225 yards on the ground to the Broncos. Vick could feast on a New Orleans defense which has yielded an average of 474.7 yards per contest this season - 50 yards more than 31st-ranked Buffalo.

ABOUT THE SAINTS (2-5): Despite a sluggish effort versus Denver, the high-octane offense of New Orleans is expected to give new Philadelphia defensive coordinator Todd Bowles plenty to think about. Tight end Jimmy Graham returned from a one-game absence due to a sprained right ankle with five catches, 63 yards and a score. Marques Colston posted the same numbers, but was held without a touchdown for the first time in three games. The Saints will be without RB and second-leading receiver Darren Sproles, who underwent hand surgery.

TRENDS:

* Over is 5-0 in their last five meetings.
* Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in New Orleans.
* Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last five Monday games.
* Saints are 7-1 ATS in their last eight November games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. The Saints' rushing attack has been limited to 72.6 yards per game this season - a full 12.5 yards less than 31st-ranked Oakland.

2. Philadelphia DE Jason Babin has struggled coming off his 18-sack season in 2011. Babin, who has just 2.5 this season, was benched for poor performance
during Sunday's game versus Atlanta.

3. New Orleans is the first team since 1950 to allow 400 yards in seven consecutive games.


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