PLAYER NOTES

--FB Thomas Tapeh didn't practice for the second straight day and will be a game-time decision. He is listed as questionable with a knee injury.

--RB Correll Buckhalter, who backs up Brian Westbrook, would replace FB Thomas Tapeh Saturday if Tapeh's injured knee prevents him from playing.

--RB Reno Mahe could get a few snaps Saturday night if injured FB Thomas Tapeh is unable to play and backup RB Correll Buckhalter has to move over to FB.

--LT William Thomas has practiced all week despite a sore knee. He is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Saints.

--RB Brian Westbrook is almost over the stomach problems that bothered him during Sunday's playoff game against the Giants. He rushed for a career-high 141 yards in the win.

Just as they did last week, the Eagles likely will activate just two of their three quarterbacks -- starter Jeff Garcia and holder Koy Detmer -- and designate A.J. Feeley as their No. 3 quarterback, even though Feeley would replace Garcia if he suffered a game-ending injury. Coach Andy Reid is reluctant to activate all three QBs because it would mean deactivating a special teams contributor or a backup at a thin position, such as defensive end.

GAME PLAN
When these two teams faced each other in Week 6, the Eagles still had Donovan McNabb and still were a pass-first team. They ran the ball just 19 times in that game. Since McNabb went down, the Eagles have become a lot more balanced and likely will give the Saints a heavy dose of running back Brian Westbrook early in the game to set up Jeff Garcia's play-action. On defense, the Eagles won't do much blitzing against Drew Brees, who uses a lot of three-step drops and was sacked just 18 times this season. Their main focus will be on coverage and limiting the Saints' yards after the catch.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Eagles C Jamaal Jackson vs. Saints NT Hollis Thomas: Thomas, an ex-Eagle played well in the first meeting against the Eagles. But he's been off for four weeks serving a drug suspension.

Eagles CB Rod Hood vs. Saints RB Reggie Bush: The Saints likely will flex Bush out wide a lot. Eagles will have to put a corner on him, probably Hood, who will be starting in place of injured Lito Sheppard.

INJURY IMPACT
The Eagles will have to take on the league's No. 1 passing offense without their best cornerback, Lito Sheppard, who suffered a dislocated elbow last week against the Giants. On the plus side, they'll finally be getting CB William James back from his calf strain. He could pick up a lot of the coverage slack if he's close to 100 percent, which is a big if.

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