Washington vs. Eagles Week 15 Picks: Philly to Run Roughshod
Another week, another NFL game with availability issues due to injuries to star players and COVID-19 protocols. We're breaking down the matchup with our Washington-Eagles picks.
The NFC East clash between the Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles was pushed back from Sunday to Tuesday as Washington's roster was ravaged by COVID. Quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen were unable to clear protocols, so the team is turning to Garrett Gilbert at QB. At one point last week Washington had 23 players on the COVID-19 list.
On the opposite sideline, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is still nursing an ankle injury and it has yet to be determined whether he'll play Tuesday or Gardner Minshew will draw another start.
Here are my picks and predictions for the Week 15 matchup between Washington and the Eagles (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).
Washington vs. Eagles Game Info
Date/Time: Tuesday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. ETTV: FOXLocation: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PAWeather: 45 degrees, partly cloudy, 10% chance of precipitation
Washington vs. Eagles Odds Analysis
As expected, the COVID outbreak greatly impacted the odds for this game. The Eagles opened as favorites at -3.5 last week, but that number ballooned to -8 midweek when news broke Washington could be without its top two quarterbacks. That number has since dropped to -6.5.
The total opened at around 43.5 or 44 points and dropped as much as four points at some sites. The Over/Under has now settled at 42.5 points.
The Eagles are 7-6 against the spread. They've won three of their last four games and four of their last six. They covered in each of those victories.
Washington is 5-8 ATS. It has been the betting underdog in each of its last nine games. Naturally, Washington covered in the four wins it earned during that stretch.
Washington vs. Eagles Picks
Eagles -6.5 (-105) ????Under 42.5 (-105) ???
SEE ALSO: NFL Week 16 Odds, Lines, and Picks
Washington vs. Eagles Predictions
Eagles -6.5 (-105)
It's hard not to like the Eagles in this one. Though both 6-7 teams could be without their starting quarterbacks, the Eagles are the healthier team and Minshew is a proven commodity, whereas Gilbert has one career start under his belt. To make matters worse, Gilbert might not have top receiver Terry McLaurin to throw to as he has yet to be cleared of a concussion.
The Washington defense is even more heavily impacted by COVID. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, corner Kendall Fuller, and safety Kamren Curl are among the starters in protocol.
Even if Washington won't have to contend with the dual-threat abilities of Hurts, Minshew puts more stress on opposing secondaries. He went 20-for-25 for 242 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-18 win over the New York Jets in Week 13. The Eagles have also had the benefit of a late Week 14 bye.
The Eagles own the league's best running game. If they get out to an early lead, they can rely on Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard to grind away at the clock and a Washington defense playing with multiple backups.
Under 42.5 (-105)
With that game script in mind, we're backing the Under, though much of the public and sharp money is on the Over.
The Eagles went with a run-heavy approach last week, running the ball 41 times to Minshew's 25 pass attempts. Expect a similar approach against Washington's depleted defense. Philly has featured a run-dominant attack in each of its last six games.
Though the Eagles should have no trouble putting up points, the opposite can be said of Washington. The Football Team will also likely turn to the ground game to protect Gilbert as he makes his first start for Washington.
With the yards churning on the ground and the clock ticking, we're expecting a lower-scoring affair in our Washington versus Eagles picks.
SEE ALSO: All picks and odds. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.
Washington-Eagles picks made 12/20/2021 at 4 p.m. ET
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