Sean Payton would have been a popular pick as the best offensive coach in the NFL before this season. Now, Chip Kelly is in that discussion, and the two will go head-to-head when the Eagles host the Saints on Saturday. There isn't likely to be a shortage of offense, as the two teams combine to average more than 816 yards per game.
Both teams are also among the more efficient offenses with their own style. Philadelphia finished with the second-best yards per play average, just behind Denver. New Orleans finished sixth in yards per play, just 0.4 yards behind the Eagles. Only five teams ran the ball on a higher percentage of plays than the Eagles. New Orleans relies on Drew Brees and the passing game, throwing on 63.8 percent of its plays, the fifth-highest in the NFL.
With two great offenses, the pressure will be on the defenses. New Orleans was the better unit during the season, ranking 10th in yards per play allowed. The Eagles finished 20th. New Orleans, however, ranked 28th in yards per rush allowed, not an ideal weakness going against LeSean McCoy and the Eagles. New Orleans will also be without star safety Kenny Vaccaro. The Eagles ranked 19th in yards per pass attempt, at 7.3, but that number jumped to 7.7 in their last three games. The shootout could be on at Lincoln Financial Field.
Mark Sandritter