Despite a barrage of injuries and a 5-7 record at the beginning of December, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed the NFC East Division crown and punched their ticket to the playoffs. The Eagles will host the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC wild-card playoff game on Sunday at 4:40 p.m.
With former practice squad members at skill positions, the Eagles capped a four-game winning streak to end the season with a 34-17 win over the Giants. Despite missing DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffrey, and Zach Ertz, Carson Wentz passed for 289 yards and earned a spot in NFL history. He is the first quarterback to throw for more than 4.000 yards without a wide receiver with 500 reception yards. Doug Pederson continued his December dominance and is now 15-3 in December and January.
The Eagles rewarded their betting base, which backed them with 82% of the moneyline and 74% support for them to cover a 3.5-point spread per BetRivers PA Sportsbook.
The Seattle Seahawks (11-5) come to Philadelphia after losing 26-21 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.
PA betting lines for Seattle Seahawks vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Ready to bet on the Eagles? Here is a look at the available spreads, moneylines, and totals at the top Pennsylvania betting sites:
[odds-feed game=17247 default_region=PA sportsbooks=DraftKings,FanDuel,RiversCasinoPA styling=small odds=pointspread]
Seahawks-Eagles line opened all over the place
When sportsbooks posted opening lines for the playoff games on Sunday night, the lines were fairly uniform across operators, with one exception.
The lines on the Seahawks-Eagles matchup were all over the board. PointsBet in New Jersey put the Seahawks as one-point favorites. Elsewhere, DraftKings had high regard for the Eagles, even with all the injuries. The sportsbook opened at PHI -3, which didn’t last long.
Eagles open -1.5 at @FDSportsbook. https://t.co/tN9CPGdmuR
— Brett Collson (@brettcollson) December 30, 2019
In a matter of minutes, the lines favoring the Eagles disappeared. Most online sports betting sites in Pennsylvania have the Eagles as a 1.5-point underdogs against the Seahawks with the over/under at 46. The +1.5 point spread is the smallest of any of the four wild card weekend games.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Philadelphia Eagles preview
Injuries ravaged the Eagles during the 2019 season. The parade of pain got so bad during the Giants game there was no room in the blue injury tent. The Eagles thrive on the underdog, “we all we got, we all we need” mentality. But the main question heading into wild card weekend will be, “who do they got?”
Here’s a rundown of key players who missed the Giants game:
- Zach Ertz, TE (ribs, kidney)
- Lane Johnson, RT, (ankle)
- Jalen Mills, CB, (ankle)
- Nelson Agholor, WR, (knee)
Miles Sanders started the game with nine rushes for 52 yards but left before halftime with an ankle injury. The medical staff carted All-Pro offensive lineman Brandon Brooks off the field with a dislocated shoulder.
What the Eagles do have is a hot quarterback. During the four-game winning streak, Wentz has thrown for 7 touchdowns, no picks, and averaged 300 yards-per-game.
The Seahawks second-half comeback came up short against the 49ers and they go into the playoffs as the No. 5 seed. The Seahawks, once feared at home with the “12th man”, were a mediocre 4-4. They were a dominant 7-1 on the road and already beat the Birds 17-9 at Lincoln Financial Field during Week 12. Running back Rashaad Penny ran for 129 yards and one score, however, he is now on the injured list along with running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise. The RB corps is banged up, but the tandem of rookie Travis Homer and the newly re-signed Marshawn Lynch is far from a terrible backfield combination.
Russell Wilson posted some of the best numbers of his career. He passed for 4,110 yards, 31 touchdowns, and a career-low five interceptions.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney did not play against the Eagles and missed three games this season due to a core muscle injury. Clowney and Shaquill Griffin returned to the lineup from injuries against the 49ers, but safety Quandre Diggs was absent with an ankle injury.
Eagles vs. Giants: A look back
Win and in. The Eagles traveled to East Rutherford with their playoff fate in their hands. The Giants were playing for pride and perhaps head coach Pat Shurmur’s job. However, it wasn’t easy for the Birds who went into the fourth quarter tied 17-17 against the 4-11 Giants.
Early in the final quarter, Malcolm Jenkins forced a fumble on Daniel Jones‘ bobbled snap and Fletcher Cox recovered and rumbled to the Giants’ two-yard line. It set up an ensuing Boston Scott touchdown run. Scott ran for three touchdowns. It caps an incredible journey for Scott. He was waived during final cuts, signed to the practice squad, then cracked the active roster in October.
Philadelphia Eagles betting numbers to know
Here are some numbers on the Eagles to consider:
- The total has gone under in six of the Eagles’ last six home games.
- 7-9 ATS this season
Seattle Seahawks betting numbers to know
Here are some numbers on the Seahawks to consider:
- 7-8-1 ATS this season
- 7-1 on the road
- The Seahawks were 3-point underdogs when they played the Eagles on Nov. 24
