Philadelphia defeated Atlanta 24-15 last week. Seattle used a goal-line stand to upend New England 31-24 last Sunday.
The Eagles have scored 24 points or less in their last 6 games (4 losses) after scoring 29+ points in their first 3 games. The league has adjusted to rookie QB Carson Wentz and he faces a huge task this weekend. Centurylink Field is perhaps the loudest and most inhospitable place for a team to visit and Wentz will have to deal with the noise and the outside pass rush of DEs Frank Clark and Cliff Avril (16.5 combined sacks). Philly is already playing without 2 starting o-linemen and will need a big effort up front against the team with the 2nd-most sacks in the league (29). RB Ryan Mathews re-emerged last week with 139 total yards and 2 TDs but he is facing a different animal this week. The Seahawks allow 3.5 ypc and 97 ypg on the ground and they will be looking to stop the run and put the game in the rookie QB’s hands.
Seattle QB Russell Wilson has dealt with injuries (knee, ankle) all season but really broke out against the Patriots (348 yards and 3 TD passes, both tops in 2016). He is on a roll right now and his escapibility is always a factor (1st rushing TD last week). WR Doug Baldwin has truly emerged as the No.1 receiver as he leads the team in catches, yards and TD catches. TE Jimmy Graham has also come alive recently. Philadelphia’s pass defense has been good this year (222.4 ypg) but decidedly better at home. The Eagles have allowed 28, 29 and 27 points in their last 3 road games (all losses) and defending the pass has been an issue in those games. Seattle cut leading rusher and TD scorer this week, RB Christine Michael, as RB Thomas Rawls is expected back from injury. Rookie RB C.J. Prosise totaled 153 yards from scrimmage against New England and is a very capable receiver. The o-line has also improved but will have their hands full with the pass rush (25 sacks by Eagles).
Public Money Consensus
In this week’s NFL match-up between the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks the public is leaning lightly to the home Seahawks to cover the 6.5 point spread at 67%. While the over/under bettors believe this game is going to go under the posted line of 44.
