NFL Betting – Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles

Once the playoffs start anything can happen. So it doesn’t matter how you get there as long as you get there. The path to the postseason is simple for the Washington Football Team with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football getting them the NFC East title and the playoff bid that comes with it. The division has been the laughingstock of the NFL this season but it doesn’t lack for excitement. Three teams have a chance to claim the crown on the final day of the 2020 season, but only the team formerly known as the Redskins can clinch with a win.  Bookmaker.eu offers a generous welcome bonus (max bonus $1600)

Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles
Date and Time: Sunday, January 3, 2021, 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
NFL Odds: Washington -2 O/U 43
Football Team at Eagles TV Coverage: NBC

Odds Analysis

The Football Team hit the board as a 1-point dog, though heavy action on the visitors forced the line to jump the fence putting them currently at -2. The betting public feels strongly that with a division crown and playoff berth at stake the WFT will rise to the occasion. They didn’t over the last two games losing to Seattle and Carolina to prolong the agony and set the stage for a do-or-die matchup. Washington had payouts in five straight games before losing outright as a 1-point favorite to Carolina. They have been a good bet all season going 9-6 ATS. It looked like the Eagles would be in the hunt following a Week 13 upset of the Saints. But a 0-2 SU and ATS skid has them trying to avoid the basement. Philly is just 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS over its last seven games and dropped the earlier matchup with Washington 27-17 in Week 1.

Washington Football Team

It’s been a turbulent season for Washington, but all that’s happened can be erased with a win on Sunday night. The franchise cratered and dropped its nickname before the season started, the owner has been raked over the coals and Ron Rivera had cancer treatments. They weren’t expected to be playing for a spot in the postseason on the final week, but here they are a win away from their first NFC East title and postseason appearance since 2015.

Nothing’s come easy and the Football Team will have to earn its spot. Releasing opening day starter Dwayne Haskins is a sign that Alex Smith is ready to play. Haskins never lived up to his draft status and the team severed ties after a dismal effort against Carolina. Haskins turned the ball over three times a few days after getting caught violating COVID protocols. Smith’s numbers aren’t much better than those of Haskins, but Smith wins games. Washington is 4-1 SU and ATS in Smith’s starts this season, and 10-5 SU since his arrival in DC.

If Smith can’t go Taylor Heinicke gets the nod. Heinicke played the second half last week completing 12 of 19 for 137 yards and a touchdown. He’s started one game in his career. No matter who’s behind center the job becomes more difficult if leading receiver Terry McLaurin doesn’t play. He’s dealing with an ankle injury that forced him out of last week’s game. An offense that isn’t very good to start will have more issues in the biggest game of the season.

Philadelphia Eagles

Just like every team in the NFC East, the Eagles have their own issues to deal with. First of all what do they do at the quarterback spot? Jaylen Hurts took over a few weeks ago for the struggling Carson Wentz and the offense has looked better. A Week 13 win over New Orleans was a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately the Eagles couldn’t build off that upset, instead dropping the next two games to leave them out of the division picture. Hurts averaged 340 yards passing and 66 yards rushing over those games.

The problem over the last two games was Philly’s defense giving up a total of 1,039 yards and 70 points. It’s hard to win when opponents move the ball at will and a number of players are on the injury report making the job of stopping Washington a bit tougher. At least the Football Teams isn’t as potent as Arizona or Dallas, so there is some hope the defense can get the job done.

In an attempt to rally his unit, coordinator Jim Schwartz told his players not to let Washington celebrate a division title on Philly’s home turf. “We can’t let opponents put division win hats on at the Linc. There’s a lot of pride in that, and all our focus has to be to accomplishing that his week,” he said.

Bet Football Team at Eagles at BookMaker.eu

While the NFC East is awful games within the division are usually intense and close. I wouldn’t expect anything different this week. Smith was close to playing last week before given the day off. Another week to heal should allow him to suit up, and I doubt the Football Team pulls the plug on Haskins not knowing his availability. With that being the case I have to side with the visitors, who have the experience with Smith and a top-5 defense led by Chase Young.

NFL Score Prediction: Washington 23, Philadelphia 16

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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com