The Saints’ Mastermind

The Saints’ Mastermind

Entering the playoffs, the Saints hadn’t won outdoors since Week 5 at Chicago; gametime temperature in Philly was a relatively balmy 25. (Al Tielemans/SI)

In fact, the Saints had never won a postseason game on the road, not counting the Super Bowl XLIV win. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Drew Brees was coming off his fourth season of more than 5,000 passing yards; no other QB has more than one. (Damian Strohmeyer/SI)

It was Riley Cooper with the game’s first TD, a 10-yard pass from Nick Foles that put the Eagles up 7-3. (Damian Strohmeyer/SI)

The absence of the injured Pierre Thomas thrust undrafted rookie Khiry Robinson into the spotlight; he carried eight times for 45 yards. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Mark Ingram got the brunt of the carries and had 97 yards, the second-highest total of his NFL career. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Brees was 20 of 30 for 250 yards. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Rookie tight end Josh Hill got into the action with a 9-yard catch. (Al Tielemans/SI)

NFL rushing leader LeSean McCoy managed just 77 yards against a stout Saints defense. (Al Tielemans/SI)

A 24-yard TD reception and 13-7 lead had Lance Moore dancing in the endzone. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Riley Cooper had a critical third-down drop that crippled an Eagles drive. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Darren Sproles compiled 160 all-purpose yards. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Rafael Bush had a nice takedown of Riley Cooper. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Marques Colston was uncharacteristically quiet, with just two catches. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Always important to keep the balls warm on a chilly Philly night. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Brees was in classic roll-out mode. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Jimmy Graham proved hard to handle, as usual. (Damian Strohmeyer/SI)

Mark Ingram’s 18 attempts were also second-most of the 2009 Heisman-winner’s three-year career. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Darren Sproles and the Saints didn’t fold. (Damian Strohmeyer/SI)

Jason Avant and Philly’s ninth-ranked passing offense was kept under 200 yards. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Oklahoma rookie Kenny Stills was one of nine Saints to catch a pass. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Two DeSean Jackson catches set up a Philly touchdown. (Al Tielemans/SI)

A fourth-quarter Zach Ertz score put the Eagles in front. (Damian Strohmeyer/SI)

Shane Graham’s 32-yard field goal sent the Saints on to Seattle. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Brees can look ahead to more road trials, but this one felt good. (Al Tielemans/SI)