Barrett Brooks explains one of the Eagles’ biggest advantages within their division as a unique NFL season prepares to get underway.
Counting down the hours, minutes and seconds as the Eagles opener is finally approaching. So many unknowns entering this season with teams across the NFL unable to use preseason games to get out the wrinkles. This unusual start to the 2020 schedule only leads to even more uncertainty from a betting perspective.
First things first, we learned on Saturday running back Miles Sanders did not make the trip and will not play today versus the Washington Football Team. On Friday wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was also ruled out while rookie Jalen Raegor was a full participant in practice.
The Eagles have won 8 of their last 9 season opening games and per PointsBet the Birds are 6.5-point favorites in our nation’s capital with the over/under on total points at 42. Home field advantage is pretty much non-existent with no fans in attendance due to Covid-19. Then again Eagles fans usually flood DC each year anyway.
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The Eagles have won six straight versus Washington while going 5-1 against the spread. The Birds average margin of victory in those contests was nearly 13 points per game. Both meetings a year ago went over in relatively easy fashion with 59 and 54 points being scored.
The Eagles over/under on Sunday is 23.5. Looking back at the six-game win streak versus their division rival the Birds have gone over 24 points in all of them. The closest they came to not going over in those matchups came in a 24-0 shutout in week 17 of the 2018 season. Just how different Washington’s defense will be remains to be seen under new head coach Ron Rivera. Last season Washington’s defense was ranked 31st against the run (27th overall). During his time in Carolina, Rivera went 3-2 versus the Eagles.
If history is a good judge of what is to come then expect Carson Wentz to put up some strong numbers.
Wentz's last 5 games vs. Washington
- Record: 5-0
- Comp %: 69.2
- Pass YPG: 292.0
- TD: 14
- INT: 3
In those five games Wentz threw for over 300-yards three times. His lowest passing total was 266-yards. PointsBet is offering odds of -264 ($26.40 bet to win $10.01) on Wentz to throw for 250+ passing yards. If Wentz gets to 300+ passing yards those odds are at +108 ($10 bet to win $10.80). The fifth-year quarterback threw for at least two touchdowns in each of those five games too. PointsBet has odds of +100 ($10 bet to win $10) for Wentz to throw 2+ touchdowns on the day.
NFL
As for some of Wentz’s weapons, tight end Zach Ertz eclipsed the 50-yard receiving mark both times against Washington in 2019. His odds to get 50+ receiving yards are -334 ($33.43 bet to win $10) while DeSean Jackson to rack up 100+ receiving yards are at +135 ($10 bet to win $13.50). Jackson torched Washington’s secondary in last year’s opener for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns.
We have no idea what to expect today. But the good news is football is back and let’s hope it’s here to stay for the 2020 season.
