Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles Betting Preview
Opening Line: Redskins +6.5 / Eagles -6.5 O/U 43
Time: 4:14 PM EST Sunday October 3, 2010 on FOX
This Sunday in the City of Brotherly Love it is Donovan McNabb’s much anticipated return, as the Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) host the Washington Redskins (1-2). The Eagles are in first place in the NFC East and one of the main reasons is QB Michael Vick and his stellar play. However, he has faced 2 pretty weak teams in the last 2 games and the Redskins may be his biggest test so far.
McNabb has played well this season for Washington, but the D has killed the Redskins, especially the pass defense. They rank 31st in the league defending the pass giving up an average of 325 yards per game through the air.
In their last games the Eagles beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-3 and the Redskins lost to the St. Louis Rams 30-16.
Heading into this NFC East battle both of these teams are 1-2 ATS.
Eagles QB Michael Vick has the 2nd highest QB rating in the league and in the win over Jaguars he had a great game passing for 291 with 3 TD and rushing for 30 yards with 1 TD. Vick has yet to throw an INT this season. The Redskins front line defense has to pressure Vick or he may torch the struggling Washington secondary. Eagles’ WR’s DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin each averaged over 20 yards per reception in the win over Jacksonville.
The Eagles have the league’s 7th ranked rushing offense, but they will be facing the strength of the Redskins’ defense, which is defending the run. This season Washington’s rushing defense has been decent giving up an average of 98 yards per game.
McNabb has played well this season, but he is not getting any help from the rushing offense, which ranks 28th in the league only averaging 74.3 yards per game. RB Clinton Portis only has 140 rushing yards so far this season and he has an injured wrist, but will play in this game.
The Redskins need to run the ball well in this game and may do so, as even though the Eagles’ defense ranks 11th in the league their run defense only ranks 22nd in the league.
McNabb’s return to Philadelphia may be sour unless the Redskins can play some pass defense, which they have not be able to do so far this season.
Washington is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road and has an Over record of 4-0 in their last 4 road games.
Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games, and has an Over record of 9-3-1 in their last 13 home games.
In the last 7 games between these 2 teams the underdogs is 5-1-1 ATS.
Our Selection : Sure M. Vick has looked good versus the poor secondarys of the Lions and Jaguars and while statistically the Redskins are in the same class, that's not reflective of their talent level. The linesmaker at Bodog has the Eagles as an inflated -6.5 point favorite. Way too many points for a divisional match-up.
Take the Redskins +6.5 at Bodog.