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Carrie Stroup here with your spread on the Eagles vs. Patriots. New England -9.5, Total: 48.5
The Eagles will be hoping for an early Christmas present when they travel to Foxborough on Sunday for a date with the no-longer-undefeated Patriots.
Philadelphia (4-7 SU and ATS) saw its recent struggles continue, then get worse, during a 45-14 blowout loss at the hands of Detroit. It was the team’s 3rd straight loss both SU and ATS, and 4th double digit loss this season. The Eagles allowed a season-high 322 passing yards, their first time allowing more than 300 this season, while rushing for just 68 yards, their lowest total since Week 4.
New England (10-1 SU, 5-3-3 ATS) saw their chances at a second 16-0 regular season end on Sunday Night on the road in Denver, not by Peyton Manning, but by Brock Osweiler. New England blew a 14 point 4th quarter lead and fell in overtime, 30-24. The Patriots’ defense allowed a season-high 179 rushing yards, including a walk-off 48-yard touchdown to C.J. Anderson. The Patriots have lost their last three road games ATS.
Betting trends heavily favor New England, especially in terms of coach histories: Since the start of 2013, New England is 16-6 ATS in home games—including a 13-6 mark as the favorite--, 7-0 ATS following a road loss, and 9-3 ATS against the NFC. Bill Belichick is 156-114 ATS all-time as Patriots’ head coach – 110-73 ATS after the first month of the season, and 17-5 ATS following a close loss (six points or less).
Both teams are dealing with a multitude of injuries. For Philadelphia, WR Josh Huff, TE Zach Ertz, and QB Sam Bradford are all questionable due to concussions, while RB Ryan Mathews is doubtful with a concussion; additionally, DB Walter Thurmond is questionable (undisclosed injury).
For New England, DB Justin Coleman (hand) is questionable, as are WR Danny Amendola (knee) and LB Jamie Collins (illness). Fellow LB Dont’a Hightower is doubtful (knee), and TE Rob Gronkowski is expected to be inactive with a knee injury suffered during the loss to Denver.
Philadelphia has struggled to find the same success on the ground during its three-game losing streak that carried the team to three wins in four games between Weeks 5 and 9. After averaging 171 rushing yards in wins over the Saints, Giants, and Cowboys, Philadelphia averaged 95.7 in losses to the Dolphins, Buccaneers, and Lions. The running game will likely determine the outcome of this one. Denver exploited the Pats’ rushing defense a week ago and the Eagles may try to follow the same blueprint for a victory.
The Eagles are still very much alive in the NFC East, just a game back of division-leading Washington and New York, but need better play from their defense, allowing 379.5 total YPG (25th in NFL), including five games allowing at least 400 total yards.
The Patriots are the last team the Eagles’ struggling defense, or any defense for that matter, want to see right now. Tom Brady and company are averaging 402.3 total YPG this season (2nd in NFL) and 315.1 passing YPG (1st in NFL). Their 301 total yards against Denver were their fewest in a game this season; they’d entered the game with at least 350 yards in every game this season, including three games surpassing 450 yards.
This team is not the type to roll over after a loss and will be eager to come out and get a victory on Sunday. If Matt Stafford was able to throw for five TD against this Eagles defense, Tom Brady will be able to do whatever he wants in this game.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
