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Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings NFL Betting Odds & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

eagles-vikings

Just six weeks ago, the Eagles playoff hopes were dwindling as they tied a game and they benched their franchise QB in consecutive weeks. But the Eagles did not lay down the rest of the way out and now they find themselves back in the postseason. The NFL odds makers have listed the Eagles as 3-point favorites with the total set at 41.5.

The Philadelphia Eagles are making their seventh playoff appearance in the last nine years, but it was not an easy task in 2008. The Raiders upset the Bucs and Houston beat Chicago in earlier Week 17 games. That meant that the Eagles were in a win-and-their-in situation and they took advantage. Philly crushed rival Dallas 44-6 to clinch the final NFC wild card spot.

The Eagles’ offense has been its strong point this season, scoring a franchise-record 416 points. It enters this game having won four of its last five games, outscoring opponents by an average of 23 points in those wins. The Eagles were able to respond after tying the lowly Bengals in Week 11. While head coach Andy Reid was criticized for playing for the tie by punting in a fourth-and-one situation, ironically the tie ended up putting the Eagles a half-game ahead Dallas, Chicago and Tampa Bay for the NFC’s final playoff spot. QB Donovan McNabb was benched the following week and while he was not happy, the star QB responded. McNabb was back in the lineup the next week for the Eagles’ 48-20 win over Arizona on Thanksgiving and has not looked back. McNabb threw nine touchdowns against just one interception over Philly’s final five games. He finished with 3,916 yards passing for the season to break his own Eagles passing yards mark. If you like McNabb to lead Philly on another playoff run like he has throughout this decade, bet the Eagles at -3 at BetUS.

The 10-6 Vikings have also had an up and down season, but they appear to be peaking at the right time. The Vikes opened the season with consecutive losses and Minnesota’s response was to bench QB Tarvaris Jackson. After starting the year 3-4, the Vikes responded with five wins in their next six games, including a 20-19 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Giants in Week 17. This is Minnesota’s first playoff appearance since 2004 and its first division title since 2000.

While the Vikings QB play has been inconsistent, the running game has been a constant success behind All-Pro Adrian Peterson. Peterson won the NFL rushing title with 1,760 yards and will likely be joined again in the backfield by Jackson, who has started Minnesota’s last three games for the injured Gus Frerotte. Jackson has been much better in his second-chance starts, throwing for 635 yards with seven touchdowns against only one pick. The only knock on Peterson has been a recent case of fumbleitis. He has run for 449 yards on 93 carries in four games this month, but has fumbled five times in those games. He will face a very good run defense this week, which held him to only 70 yards in last season’s 23-16 home loss to the Eagles.

The Eagles’ rushing defense ranks fourth in the NFL, allowing 92.3 yards per game. They are also tied for fifth in the NFL wuth 14 defensive fumble recoveries.

The Vikings defense has been even tougher against the run, ranking No. 1 in the NFL for the third straight season. The defense has endured a major blow with three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Pat Williams out with a right shoulder injury the past two weeks. It is uncertain if he will suit up this week. Williams has been missed as the Vikings have given up 233 rushing yards in their last two games after limiting opponents to an average of 71.2 yards in their first 14. If you think Minnesota can defend its home field, bet the Vikings at +3 at BetUS.

The Vikings have not made a playoff appearance since 2004 when they defeated the Packers in a wild card game before losing to the Eagles in the divisional round. Philly has won its opening playoff game each of its last six times in the postseason and the Vikings has accomplished the same feat five straight time.

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Written by Jimmy Boyd on January 1, 2009 · Filed Under NFL Betting Articles, News & Previews