Seattle Seahawks (8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-3 SU, 8-4 ATS)
NFL Week 14
Date and Time: December 7, 2014 4:25 p.m. EST.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA.
TV: FOX
by Wilson, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: SEA +1/PHI -1
Over/Under Total: 49
This weekends Seattle at Philly matchup may be a potential preview of the NFC title game. The Seahawks travel to the city of brotherly love for a showdown between two of the best teams in the NFC. Both of these teams had convincing wins on Thanksgiving Day. The Seahawks defense locked down the San Francisco 49ers and allowed only 3 points. Philly ran over the Dallas Cowboys early and often on their way to a big W in Cowboys Stadium. The Seahawks are getting back to the team they were last season when they won the super bowldefense dominated. The Eagles are nearly opposite of Seattle as they possess a mediocre defense while their offense puts up more points. The Eagles are ahead of Seattle on paper in total yards, and almost 100 yards more passing per game (286) then the Hawks (192). Seattle leads in rushing yards (169) to Phillys 130. No matter what the paper trail indicates this game should be a great matchup between two teams jockeying for playoff positioning. A healthier Seattle defense of late will certainly be a test for the Eagles recent surge in offense.
Philadelphia has scored 76 points in their last two games to Seattles 38. The Eagles did not face as stellar a defense in their past two contests of course but even then, 76 points is an offense that is flowing and working well togetherSeattle will have to come into Philly and disrupt the Eagles O immediately if they want to knock them off on their home field. The Eagles average 31.3 ppg to Seattles 24.8 yet the Eagles allow 23 ppg to the Hawks 18. The statistic that jumps off the page in this game is Seattles rush defense. The Hawks only allow 86 yards rushing per contest. Philly allows 108 yards rushing per game. Seattle usually gets the W when Marshawn creeps near 100 ypg. Phillys LeSean McCoy has rushed for 289 yards in his last two games (159 vs. Dallas and 130 vs. Tennessee).
The keys to this game will be both teams stopping the run. Seattle has the advantage as they have one of the top defenses in the NFL and a QB who can run like a back if needed. Russell Wilson is more mobile than Eagles QB Mark Sanchez and this will be the difference in the game. Wilson has proven to be a playmaker down the stretch and he will do it with the pass or the run. Another fact to consider is the number INTs between the two QBs, Foles has 10 INTs to Wilsons 5. The Seattle D had two INTs last week versus San Fran and they are looking like the defense we saw in the playoffs last seasonfast and furious.
If the Hawks win out the rest of their schedule they will win the NFC West but to do so they need to beat two undefeated teams on the road, Philly and Arizona. Philly is 6-0 at home and they average 35 ppg. Seattle hasnt allowed a touchdown in their last two contests. It will be a statement game for either team but more impressive for the Hawks if they can get it done on the road and be the first team to knock off two undefeated-at-home squads. Arizona is also 6-0 at home and their last loss at home just happens to be at the hands of the Hawks last season 34-22 on a Thursday night game. The Cards have only allowed 15 ppg at home this season. Seattle has a tough go at it these next few weeks but thats what the NFL is all abouttoughness.
I like the Seahawks to win a close game at Philly this weekend. Seattles defense slows down the running game of McCoy and their secondary forces Sanchez to make mistakes which will lead to timely turnovers and a Seattle win on the road.
Take the Seahawks to cover. Luck to ya.
Wilsons Pick:Seattle covers and wins 31-28.