When the Philadelphia Eagles soared to a perfect record through the first three weeks, Doug Pederson was being hailed as coach of the year. The only problem is that the season is 16 games not three, and after a lackluster effort in a loss at Cincinnati, their seventh loss in nine games, the Philly faithful are calling for Pederson’s head. Philly fans should be grateful that Chip Kelly isn’t roaming the sideline when the Eagles take on NFC East rival Washington Redskins in a Week 14 tilt.
This matchup in Week 14 of the regular season will take place on Sunday, December 11, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Washington Redskins PK
Philadelphia Eagles PK
Over/Under 47
Odds Analysis
Both teams have stumbled a bit since the Week 6 meeting when the Eagles were a 3-point favorite. The Skins got the 27-20 home victory in that one with the over cashing by two points. The total has been adjusted while oddsmakers set this on as a tossup. Philly is hoping to reclaim some of that home field magic which as them at 4-1 SU and ATS this season, however the loss came in the last home outing to a fragile Packers squad.
Injury Report
Spencer Long – Washington’s starting center exited the Arizona game in the first half with a concussion and was replaced by John Sullivan, who hadn’t played a snap since the final game of the 2014 season with the Vikings. The line had problems with the Cardinals’ blitz packages with Kirk Cousins getting sacked twice and hit on eight other occasions.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai – A lack of play-makers and a depleted offensive line have led to many issues with Philly’s offense. The former may be taken care of this week with Ryan Mathews and Jordan Matthews set to return. However, the latter is still a concern. Vaitai, who replaced the suspended Lane Johnson at tackle, remains out with a knee injury leaving the line thin and out of position.
Matchup to Watch
We can lay the blame for the Eagles collapse on the fact that Carson Wentz fell back to his draft class. We can also say the injury bug caught them at the wrong time. But the biggest reason why the Eagles have gone 2-7 since opening the year with three consecutive wins is the play of the defense. The group had a few good games in the past nine, most notably shutting down the Falcons in a 24-15 win a month ago. That was the last time the Eagles experienced the joy of victory.
It’s been a struggle since then and not being able to generate a pass rush has allowed opposing quarterbacks to stand in the pocket and pick the secondary apart. The Eagles went without a sack against the Bengals for the second straight game and Andy Dalton threw for 332 yards and a pair of scores. The week before, Aaron Rodgers was seldom pressured and completed 30 of 39 attempts for 313 yards and two touchdowns. After getting 25 sacks in the first nine games, the Eagles have managed just one in the past three. Kirk Cousins performs well when he isn’t pressured and he could have a big game.
Free ATS Pick
This was supposed to be growing season for the Eagles so their recent play isn’t all that surprising. The brilliant start of Wentz and the team gave followers a false sense of who the Eagles really are. They were never as good as that 3-0 beginning and the crushing victory over the Steelers in Week 3 was the exception and not the norm. Wentz has regressed in his play, but it hasn’t helped that several play-makers were missing and the line had to cover some holes.
Washington’s defense hasn’t been all that great this season, either, which makes me think the over has some value. Cousins could have a big game if the Eagles can’t get pressure, and that’s been the case the past few games. Philly is expected to have Mathews and Matthews back in the lineup, which will make Wentz feel a bit more comfortable in the pocket. He shouldn’t have to throw the ball 60 times because the Skins like to give up the big plays. The total is manageable in this one and I like the teams to play over it with Washington having a bit more on the defensive side.
NFL Odds: Redskins 27, Eagles 26
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