Wentz & Seattle D glad to see each other
The Seahawks (7-3 straight up; 6-4 against the spread) come into Monday night fresh with 10 days in between games after defeating Arizona, 28-21, on Nov. 19. They were tied for first place in the NFC West pending the Rams’ result vs. the 49ers on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Eagles (3-6-1 SU; 3-7 ATS) have fallen from first place in the NFC East after the Washington Football Team won at Dallas, 41-16, on Thanksgiving. The Eagles could regain first place with a victory Monday night but are reeling after losing to the Giants and Browns in back-to-back weeks.
Philadelphia’s offensive woes continued last week in Cleveland as it could only muster 17 points. Carson Wentz threw two more interceptions and now has 23 total turnovers (nine fumbles, 14 interceptions) on the season. Granted, the constant shuffling on the Eagles offensive line (40 sacks allowed) due to injuries has played a significant part as Philadelphia will start its 10th different group up front in its 11th game.
That line will have to hold up against a resurgent Seattle pass rush that has amassed 16 sacks in the last four games. Nevertheless, it is painfully obvious that the Wentz of 2017 is long in the past as he entered Week 12 ranked 31st in the NFL for Passer Rating (73.3). Wentz might get a little extra help in this game as reports indicate Jalen Hurts is expected to see more snaps at quarterback. Perhaps he’ll be able to keep Philly in better downand-distance situations.
Russell Wilson’s MVP candidacy is still very viable. Wilson is completing 70.7 percent of his passes and has thrown for 2,986 yards and 30 touchdowns. Seattle does not have problems offensively as the Seahawks have the second-highest scoring offense in the league (31.8 ppg) and rank No. 4 in Offensive DVOA.
Seattle has its own issues on defense, entering Week 12 ranked last in both total yards allowed (434.9 ypg) and passing yards allowed (343.7 ypg), and 28th in points allowed (28.7 ppg). The return of CB Shaquill Griffin from concussion protocol can help, but the Seahawks defense could perhaps be the cure to the Eagles’ offensive troubles.
The trends favor Seattle as the Seahawks are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 November games and 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 on “Monday Night Football.” The Eagles are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 overall games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 at “The Linc.”
Seattle has been receiving around 90 percent of both the ticket and money counts per PointsBet USA. The line opened Seattle -5.5 and has been bet up to -6, but has yet to go above that which indicates that there is likely some professional money showing resistance at the current number.
The total opened at 53, and while the majority of the tickets are on the Over, the number has dropped to 48.5 likely due to the forecast of heavy rain during the day in Philadelphia.
This matchup is shaping up to be a proverbial “Pros vs. Joes” type of game and sportsbooks across the country will need the Eagles. Most bettors seem to have given up on Philadelphia after consecutive SU and ATS losses. When everyone else has thrown in the towel, is it time to come in at the bottom of the market with Philadelphia?