The Washington Football Team (6-9) can earn its first division title since 2015 with a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1) as a small road favorite in the Week 17 Sunday Night Football matchup. But a loss by Washington would open the door for the Dallas Cowboys or New York Giants to win the NFC East depending on the outcome of their game earlier in the day, giving Philadelphia the chance to play spoiler.
- Date/Time: January 3, 8:20 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
- TV Coverage: NBC
- Sportsbook Odds: Eagles -1 | O/U 42 (Line History)
- Washington vs Eagles Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The point spread has flipped in favor of Washington, with bettors knowing how much this game means to head coach Ron Rivera as he completes his first regular season there. Rivera has been one of the candidates to win NFL Coach of the Year but has seen his stock take a hit with losses in the last two games. However, he made maybe his best decision by cutting loose quarterback Dwayne Haskins, which has also played a big role in the line move. The big question is whether Alex Smith will be ready to return from a calf injury or if the inexperienced Taylor Heinicke gets the call in the team’s biggest game. Backers of Washington are counting on Smith, otherwise this line could move the other way again.
Washington News & Notes
What a disappointment Haskins was for Washington in less than two seasons. The former first-round draft pick was released on Monday after failing yet again to come through for his team. Haskins was absolutely brutal despite posting eerily similar numbers to Smith, as both played seven games.
The big difference obviously is that Smith is a Sportsbook and Haskins is not. Washington has gone 10-5 straight up when Smith starts and 6-26 when he does not, dating back to his arrival in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018.
In other words, it would not be wise to back this team unless you know Smith will start. Washington is also hoping to get wide receiver Terry McLaurin back from an ankle injury.
Philadelphia News & Notes
Offensively, the Eagles have looked better with rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts starting, even though they have won only one game with him. In road losses to the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys the past two weeks, Hurts has averaged 340 passing yards and 66 rushing yards, accounting for five touchdowns and two interceptions.
To put that in perspective, former starter Carson Wentz threw for more than 270 yards just once in his 12 games this season. The Hurts vs Wentz debate could continue up until the 2021 season kicks off, but the former will have at least one more shot to prove himself as 2020 comes to a close, while the latter is left to ponder what his future holds.
Betting Pick: UNDER 43.5
No matter who is under center for Washington, this total is going UNDER. If anything, the defenses for both teams will be playing harder than they have all season knowing this is essentially a playoff game. While Philadelphia has nothing to gain from winning this game, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz might be coaching for his job, as changes will likely be coming in the City of Brotherly Love this offseason even if Doug Pederson stays. The Eagles have been giving up way too many points, but that will not be the case here.
- Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games vs divisional opponents.
- The UNDER is 11-3 in Philadelphia’s last 14 home games.
- Washington is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games.
