Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles Betting Preview
Opening Line: Broncos +7 / Eagles -7 O/U 41.5
Time: 4:15 PM EST Sunday December 27, 2009 on CBS
This Sunday in the City of Brotherly Love the Philadelphia Eagles host the Denver Broncos. The Eagles are red-hot, as they have won 5 straight and with last week's win they wrapped up a playoff spot and they will probably win the NFC East with win over Denver. The Broncos are coming off a loss, to the Raiders no less, but they are still in control of their destiny, as if they win out they will make the post season. Even if they go 1-1 in their last 2 games they may make the playoffs, but they will need help. Philadelphia still have a chance to catch Minnesota for the number 2 seed in the playoffs, which would mean they would get a bye for the first week of the post-season.
This season the Eagles are 5-2 at home and 9-5 ATS and the Broncos are 4-3 on the road and 8-6 ATS.
Last week the Broncos lost to the Oakland Raiders 20-19 while the Eagles beat the San Francisco 49ers 27-13.
The Broncos' offense has been up and down in the last few weeks and they will have to have a good game against a Eagles' defense, which ranks 11th in the league, and is solid against both the pass and the run. Denver QB Kyle Orton (3,182 yds 17 TD 8 INT) has to manage the game well and not turn the ball over. If he can hook up with WR Brandon Marshall (93 rec 1,081 yds 10 TD) on a couple big plays downfield the Broncos may win this game. RB Knowshon Moreno (879 yds 5 TD) has to play well and pick up some yards on the ground. The offensive line of the Broncos is key in this game, as protecting Orton and opening up holes for Moreno is vital to them moving the chains.
The Eagles are led by QB Donovan McNabb (3,008 yds 19 TD 9 INT) and he has a great big play WR in DeSean Jackson (56 rec 1,087 yds 8 TD). LeSean McCoy is now the featured back since Brian Westbrook has missed several games due to a concussion. He may be counted on more in this game since the Broncos' defense, which ranks 3rd, is stellar at defending the pass only giving up an average of 177.5 yards per game through the air. However, the Broncos are giving up just over 116 rushing yards per game.
The Broncos are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games and the total has gone Over in 4 of their last 6 games. The Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.