Ecks & Bacon

LAS VEGAS — Kick it off with today’s early matchup and we got the Eagles +3 points over the Falcons. Get in the time machine with me, and we’re going back all the way to 1970. No #1 seed since the merger has ever been an underdog. NEVER! So basically, the Eagles have become the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL. They get NO RESPECT. And most of it has to do with the injury to Carson Wentz and the shaky play of Nick Foles. After a four-TD effort against the Giants, Foles looked kinda “eh” against the Raiders and Cowboys. Giving him a pass for the Dallas game, and now that he has had three starts and an extra week of practice, we’re expecting MAGIC. Why not. Back into the time machine, this time to 2013 and a playoff game against the Saints. Yes, it was a 26-24 loss, but “Shaggy” was pretty solid in that game, hitting on 23-for-33 for 195 yards with two TDs and NO INTs. The Green Machine has covered 11 of the last 16 at home, and with the help of the NFL’s #3 defense, should stay close enough to pull out a cover.… Move to prime time and we’re gonna look at the Titans +131/2 points over the Patriots. Yes, the numbers are OVERWHELMING. New England is a monster. Best offense in the league. Arguably, the best QB, Tom Brady, of all time. Arguably, the best coach, Bill Belichick, of all time. A weapon, Rob Gronkowski, that NO ONE has an answer for. And now they are motivated by the wacky stories about Double B looking to leave the Patriots for a job with the Giants. Pile it on, why don’tcha. Of course, there is a however. Double M, Marcus Mariota, with a little luck, and a batted pass back to him for a TD, performed OK in his first-ever playoff game (19-for-31 for 205 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT). But the reason for looking at Tennessee plus is, the Pats have the 4th-worst D in the league. That’s 30th in passing D and 20th in running D. Of course, Belichick will have some crazy wrinkles after the week off, but we’re gonna stay light, buy the hook, take the Titans +14 points, and PRAY for rain.