The Redskins finally gave the NFC East one team without a losing record, taking over first place with a win last week to improve to 7-7 SU and ATS. As bad as the division has been all year, at least the champion will be decided by the teams involved in the mess. Washington can clinch the title Sunday with a win over Philadelphia. The Eagles are still in the hunt and must win to keep the dream alive.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Philadelphia Eagles -3
Washington Redskins +3
Over/Under 48.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
Philadelphia has been nearly as bad at home as Washington has been on the road. The Eagles are 3-4 SU and ATS at the Linc while the Skins picked up their first SU road win of the season two weeks ago in Chicago and are 2-4 ATS. The total fell to 47.5 after opening.
KEY INJURIES
Morgan Moses – Suffered a sprained ankle Sunday and left the game for good after returning for one play. Ty Nsekhe replaced him at guard. The Redskins’ depth on the offensive line was already being tested before center Josh LeRibeus suffered an ankle injury and Brian de la Puente took over. Both players are listed as day-to-day.
Byron Maxwell – Philadelphia’s starting cornerback suffered a shoulder sprain in the loss to Arizona and there is a good chance he will not play in Saturday’s do-or-die game. To make matters worse, the Eagles also lost their other starting corner when Eric Rowe was sidelined with a concussion. Jaylen Watkins and E.J. Biggers replaced the starters last game.
KEY MISMATCH
Kirk Cousins turned a chance into chants and he has the Redskins one win away from clinching the NFC East title. There remains a debate over just how good he is, and that debate will likely linger. But for now, Cousins is good enough to have the Redskins at 7-7. And in a bad division, he has his team on the verge of a title. Cousins and the offense are rolling, with 59 points in the past two games. It’s far from just the quarterback making it work. The running game has been too inconsistent, so the passing game must be the one to produce, and lately that’s what it’s done. Cousins completed 22 of 28 passes Sunday for 319 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Buffalo. He also ran for a score and did not throw an interception. All the weapons are getting involved, too. Receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, and tight end Jordan Reed are nice weapons. Washington does a nice job of creating one-on-one situations for its primary targets and Cousins is comfortable knowing all he has to do is locate the play-makers and good things will happen.
KEY STAT
43.6 – Washington’s third-down conversion percentage. The Redskins are sixth in the NFL at extending drives and need to be successful against Philadelphia’s 27th-ranked third down defense.
BETTING ANGLE
Despite all their shortcomings, the Eagles control their playoff hopes. They’ve lost three of their last five games by a margin of 130-48. They have a losing record at home, on the road and overall. Their offense is inconsistent and turnover prone. Their defense can’t stop anyone. Yet, the Eagles would clinch the NFC East title with victories over Washington at home Saturday, and at the Giants the following week. The Redskins already beat the Eagles in Week 4. But they’re only 1-5 on the road this season and 2-12 under coach Jay Gruden. Washington clinches the division title with a win. The Giants also remain alive if Philly prevails Saturday.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Somebody has to win the NFC East and right now the Redskins have the inside track. The formula is simple: win and the title is theirs. But the way the division has played all season you might as well take a gamble on a tie game. After all, that would be fitting. The Eagles knew last week’s game against Arizona didn’t have much bearing on their division title hopes – and they sure as heck played like it. Philly got rolled, at home no less, but still has a crack at the crown by winning its final two games. The way the season has gone, it just feels like the division winner won’t be decided until the final weekend.
Philadelphia 24, Washington 20
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