DIVISIONAL ROUND PREVIEW: EAGLES-SAINTS

This second round match-up in the NFC features the most unlikely of all combinations of teams. The Saints were supposed to be a feel good story that would hopefully compete with all their opponents and finish around .500. However, the Saints began the season hot and never slowed down. Due to the impact of rookies Reggie Bush and Marques Colston, as well as the signing of previously injured QB Drew Brees, the Saints soon became an offensive juggernaut. Rather than struggling for wins, they soon became America's darling as they cruised to an easy division crown. The Eagles on the other hand started off with high expectations, but stumbled out the gate by losing several close games. All of the expectations vanished when their QB Donovan McNabb was lost for the season and replaced by the thought to be over the hill Jeff Garcia. After an embarrassing blowout lost to the Colts in Garcia's first start, the Eagles have rebounded by not losing another game. These two teams face off on Saturday to determine who will take the next in continuing their incredible dream.

QUARTERBACKS: As previously mentioned, no one expected much from Jeff Garcia when he took over for the injured Donovan McNabb. After horrible stints with Cleveland and Detroit, it appeared that his best days were well behind him. Then the Eagles began to roll off win after win inspired by the energetic play of Garcia. Soon, Garcia had won over his team as well as the whole city. Despite not putting up gaudy numbers, Garcia completed key passes and did everything he needed to for Philadelphia to advance to the second round. You have to assume that one day the clock will hit midnight for Garcia, but the whole city of Philadelphia hopes that does not happen in New Orleans. The QB opposing him has been under appreciated almost his entire career. After leading San Diego to several successful seasons, the Chargers abandoned Drew Brees for the younger Philip Rivers while citing a shoulder injury to Brees as the reason. After being passed over in free agency by Miami for Daunte Culpepper, Brees landed in New Orleans. While it may not have seemed like the perfect fit at the time, it soon became the ideal place for Brees. He flourished in the pass happy offense of the Saints and finished the season with career highs in all the major passing categories. He's almost impossible to get off his rhythm which makes him one of the most dangerous QBs in the NFL. EDGE: NEW ORLEANS

RUNNING BACKS: As some one who has been subjected to watch every Eagles game this season because he went to Villanova, I have seen first hand just what a remarkable transformation the Philadelphia running game has made. At the beginning of the season the Eagles just didn't run the ball, which is the reason why they were unable to hold onto leads late in games. Brian Westbrook was essentially a WR who lined up in the backfield. When McNabb got hurt, Andy Reid woke up and realized that he would have to run the ball to have any chance to win games. The switch proved successful as Westbrook put up career numbers while the Eagles only lost one game after McNabb's injury. The Saints running game has been more stable all season, but like the Eagles, it only got better as the season progressed. Deuce McAllister was always a the steady option who would be relied on to get the tough yards between the tackles. His backfield mate Reggie Bush is the reason why the running game has gotten so much better late in the year. After taking awhile to adjust to the NFL, Bush has finally become accustomed to the league's speed, and he is now one of the few players in football who is a threat to score on every touch. The three RBs in the game all could have a say in the score before the day is done. EDGE: EVEN

RECEIVERS: Like RBs, this game is full of talented wideouts. The Eagles are led by the dynamic tandem of Reggie Brown and Donte' Stallworth. Brown was a huge factor in winning the game last weekend, and despite being plagued by numerous drops this season, he took a step forward towards becoming one of the more consistent WRs in the NFC. Stallworth will be returning to the city where he under achieved for the beginning of his career. Stallowrth is equally as talented as Brown, but he is the type of player who either explodes or does nothing in a game for the Eagles. The Saints traded Stallworth due to the emergence of rookie WR Marques Colston. A seventh round pick, Colston, defied all odds and would have won rookie of the year if it weren't for an ankle injury. His rare combination of size and speed make him difficult to cover. His mentor, Joe Horn, has been out for the better part of a month, and it is still uncertain whether he will suit up or not. He is the emotional leader of the Saints and still a solid WR. While the loss of Horn would certainly hurt the Saints' offense, the speedy Devery Henderson has stepped in before for the Saints and done a terrific job in their receiving core. Both Garcia and Brees will have several capable options to target on Saturday. EDGE: EVEN

DEFENSE: While both teams have great offenses, their defenses sometimes fail to compare. The Eagles have struggled all season against the run. They looked a bit better during the end of the season, but after being torched by Tiki Barber, it's clear that they still have their issues. The Philadelphia secondary has done a decent job against the pass this season, but they will be about their best cornerback Lito Sheppard on Saturday. The Eagles already struggle against bigger WRs and without Sheppard to anchor that Philadelphia secondary, all signs point to a big day from Marques Colston. The Sainst defense has had issues of it's own this season. While they do have a knack for causing a big turnover here and there, more often we see them giving up big plays in the air. Their rush defense is a bit better but nothing that would cause the Eagles to worry. The bottom line is that if one of these defenses can step up, that team should win the game. EDGE: EVEN

SPECIAL TEAMS: With such high pressure in playoff games, it's important to have a kicker that can get the job done in the big spot. Last week, David Akers showed he had ice water in his veins as he drilled the field goal to win the game. He clearly can be relied on for big kicks. Oddly enough though, Akers is a much worse kicker indoors, so him in the Superdome may be a situation to watch. For the Saints, their kicker John Carney has been in the league for almost two decades but has never been in a game with the magnitude of Saturday night's. The only pressure kick I can remember him taking was an extra point to send his team to the playoffs. An extra point he missed. However, the X-factor on special teams in this game is and always be Reggie Bush. While the Eagles have no kick return threats, Bush has the dazzling return moves that has already won the Saints a game this season. As long as he is on the field in punt formation, I'd take the Saints special teams any day. EDGE: NEW ORLEANS

FINAL ANALYSIS: When the NFL's two highest scoring offenses match up, the least you can expect is that both teams score well into the 30's. Despite the potent offenses, I see the defense making a few crucial plays that make this a bit of a lower scoring game. These two teams are close to evenly matched, but what the Saints have that the Eagles don't is the Superdome. Every single person in that stadium will be yelling at the top of their lungs as they welcome in the Saints for their biggest game in Superdome history. The Saints have been a clear rallying point for a city that needed one. On Saturday, the Eagles will find out it's a bit more difficult to play an entire city in the playoffs. PREDICTION: SAINTS 30 EAGLES 20