New Orleans Saints look to break road playoff losing jinx

New Orleans Saints seeking first-ever franchise road playoff victory taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly.

Philadelphia Eagles, the NFC East champions, have the home field and frigid weather to their advantage.

The 11-5 New Orleans Saints wild card playoff venture takes place in frigid Philadelphia tomorrow night with the Black & Gold trying to dispel the disbelievers about whether the club can actually win a playoff game on the road. The Saints have never won a road playoff game in franchise history to this point. Head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees are focused and prepared to make that happen tomorrow night against the Eagles in a 7:10 kickoff. NFL scout and analyst Mike Detillier feels the first thing the Saints' defense has to do is stop LeSean McCoy, the NFL's top running back this season. McCoy has rushed the ball a league-high 314 times, gaining 1,607 yards, while averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 100.4 yards per game. McCoy has rushed for nine touchdowns and has only fumbled once, providing the Eagles with a quality, consistent running game. Second-year quarterback Nick Foles has turned in an outstanding season,becoming the starter,  leading the Eagles to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title. Foles currently a 119.2 quarterback rating, which is the best in the NFL. Foles has thrown 2,891 yards, completing 64 percent of his passes. Foles has tossed 27 touchdowns and only been intercepted twice so he has made good decisions with the football. Drew Brees continues to pile up the numbers and enters as the NFL's second leading passer behind record setting Peyton Manning. Brees has thrown for 5,162 yards, hitting on 68.6 percent of his attempts, second only to San Diego's Philip Rivers at 69.5 percent. Brees has clicked on 39 TD passes with 12 interceptions with a 104.7 QB rating. Saints running back Pierre Thomas missed practice for the second straight day yesterday bothered by a chest injury he suffered in the team's 42-17 victory Sunday over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There was no specific word on the severity of Thomas' injury, but his status for tomorrow night's game may be in doubt and that would obviously be a blow to the Saints' offense. Thomas provides the Saints with heart and consistency. Thomas rushed for a team-high 549 yards and has caught a career-high 77 passes for an additional 513 yards, scoring a combined five TDs.