divisional round 2018

NOLA.com PhotoBy Josh Katzenstein, NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneThe New Orleans Saints overcame a terrible first quarter to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 20-14, and advance to the NFC Championship Game next Sunday (Jan. 20) at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.Despite trailing 14-0 in the first...

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) celebrates a first down reception against the Eagles. (AP)By Frank Schwab | Yahoo SportsAll season, the unexpected in the NFL didn’t faze us.We expected the best teams to get upset out of the blue, or teams that hadn’t looked good in...

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty ImagesPhiladelphia hardly even touched the ball in the third quarter.By Adam Stites | sbnationNo NFL team was a bigger favorite this weekend than the New Orleans Saints, and none of the four winners in the Divisional Round looked more mortal. The Philadelphia...

Michael Thomas, who led the NFL in receptions this season, had 12 catches for 171 yards Sunday as the Saints advanced to the NFC Championship Game. John David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsBy Mike Triplett | ESPN Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS -- The drive had a little bit of everything. Most...

Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns Sunday against the Eagles. Gerald Herbert/APBy Associated Press | CSTNEW ORLEANS — When the New Orleans Saints finally found their rhythm, they marched one step closer to the Super Bowl.Using a dominant ball-control...

By Mike Triplett | ESPN Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints believe that standout defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins tore his Achilles tendon on Sunday, a source confirmed to ESPN.The news was first reported by the NFL Network after Rankins was carted off the field in the first...

Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELDBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateIt started about as bad as it possibly could.A Drew Brees interception on the first play of the game.Losing defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins a few minutes later.Then falling into a 14-point hole by the end of the first...

Michael Thomas caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter finishing off an 18-play drive that gave New Orleans the lead for good.CreditCreditBill Feig/Associated PressBy Ken Belson | New York TimesNEW ORLEANS — The Saints’ magical season keeps on rolling.The top-seeded Saints...

Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELDBy Advocate StaffMichael Thomas' playoff performance wasn't just big -- it was the biggest in Saints history.Thomas broke a pair of records held by former Saints star Marques Colston with his 12th catch of the day as the...

Photo - AP/Getty imagesBy Paul Schwartz | New York PostNEW ORLEANS — Get the feeling the Eagles want to distance themselves as far as possible from the last time they tangled with the Saints?Eagles coach Doug Pederson said, “You have to push the eject button.’’ He also said, “You flush...

(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS) TNS (Wally Skalij)By The Associated Press | NOLA.comLOS ANGELES — C.J. Anderson rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns, and Todd Gurley rushed for 115 more yards and another TD in the Los Angeles Rams' first playoff victory in 14 years, 30-22 over the...

Advocate staff photo by SCOTT THRELKELDAdvocate Staff ReportFirst things first: The New Orleans Saints face the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the NFL playoff Sunday afternoon.If New Orleans defeats Philadelphia, the Saints' next playoff game -- like its matchup against...

Advocate PhotoAdvocate Staff ReportIf you survey the New Orleans Saints' locker room, it's nearly impossible to find someone who has something bad to say about Drew Brees.Here are eight recent comments from Brees' teammates and coaches that speak to the quarterback's skill, determination...

Advocate PhotoAdvocate StaffNew Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton dismisses the premise that the Philadelphia Eagles could derive extra motivation from the widespread perception that New Orleans ran up the score on them when they met in November."My question would be: We're all playing hard...

By Brooks Kubena | AdvocateAUSTIN, Texas — Please forgive Derek Long. It’s that time of year, and he doesn’t want to appear selfish.See, in past NFL playoffs, there always seemed to be a quarterback from Westlake High School that was still pushing for the Super Bowl. That meant a TV crew...

Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTONBy Rod Walker | The AdvocateThey are two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, GOATs according to their respective fan bases in New Orleans and New England.They are two victories away from playing against each other on the biggest stage of...

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)By Rod Walker | The AdvocateThe task probably took a little longer than it would have for most people.But for Drew Brees, everything has to be done just right.So Brees meticulously lined up all his shoes just the way he wanted them, looking more like someone...

(Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)Amos Morale III, NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneThe New Orleans Saints will begin their playoff run Sunday afternoon (Jan. 13) as they host the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The teams met in Week 11 of the regular...

(Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)By Josh Katzenstein, NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneTre’Quan Smith has been confident in his skills since joining the New Orleans Saints, but he thinks his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11 might have helped his...

(Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)By Luke Johnson, NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneThe winner of the Sunday’s NFC divisional round matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints might depend on the situation.Situational football, that is. And few, if...

(Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)By Josh Katzenstein, NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneMarcus Davenport has heard about the increased intensity in NFL playoff games, and the New Orleans Saints rookie defensive end will experience it firsthand on Sunday.“I can’t wait...

(Photo by Chris Keane/AP Images for Panini)By Christopher Kamrani | Salt Lake TribuneThis is how Mitch Mathews likes to explain it.Because he knows, but admits that he doesn’t know the whole story. But he kind of does. He’s already seen it himself.When the New Orleans Saints signed...

(Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)By Christopher Dabe - NOLA.com | The Times-PicayuneThe New Orleans Saints promoted tight end Garrett Griffin from the practice squad and placed wideout Simmie Cobbs on injured reserve, The Associated Press reported Saturday (Jan...

By Mike Triplett | ESPN Staff Writer METAIRIE, La. -- If Michael Thomas isn't careful, he might run out of ammunition soon.The New Orleans Saints receiver is fueled by doubters. He's propelled by an intense passion built up through a lifetime of being a late bloomer in high school...