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NFC Wild Card: Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles Betting Preview

Six weeks after meeting in the regular season, the Seattle Seahawks are heading back to the City of Brotherly Love for a rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs on Sunday. Early betting odds have the Seahawks favored by 1.5 points on the road with an over/under of 46 points.

It wasn’t easy or enjoyable to watch, but the Eagles managed to turn things around the final month of the season to reach the playoffs for the third straight year. With four straight wins to close out the season, the Eagles went from 5-7 to being 9-7 and winners of the NFC East. With that, they get the privilege to host a playoff game despite having the longest Super Bowl odds of any NFC team.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks backed into the playoffs, losing three of their last four games. Despite those recent losses, Seattle’s 11-5 record is nothing to scoff at.

However, their Week 17 home loss to the 49ers prevented the Seahawks from winning the NFC West and getting to stay home on Wild Card Weekend. The Seahawks will now have to win three road games to reach the Super Bowl.

Sinking Ship

Are Seattle’s late-season struggles a coincidence or a sign of larger problems for the team? Russell Wilson hasn’t been himself lately, going from potential MVP candidate to a rather average quarterback over the past month.

There was also a drop-off in the running game last weekend with Travis Homer and Marshawn Lynch filling in for the injured Chris Carson. There’s also the matter of the Seattle offensive line, which has been problematic all season.

The interesting X-factor is the Philadelphia defense, which has struggled at times but has given up no more than 17 points at home over its last six games at Lincoln Financial Field. That includes a 17-9 loss to the Seahawks in November.

The Eagles have been vulnerable in the secondary most of the season, but they have impressive talent on the defensive line that can slow down the run and take advantage of the porous Seattle offensive line.

Walking Wounded

Offensively, the Eagles have battled injuries all season. The hope is that Zach Ertz and Miles Sanders will be able to overcome their recent ailments and play on Sunday. Both would provide a huge boost given the team’s inexperience at wide receiver right now amidst the injuries.

Of course, Carson Wentz’s performance has been nothing short of heroic over the last month. The numbers aren’t necessarily lavish, but he has seven touchdown passes and no interceptions in his last four games and is grinding out results.

Meanwhile, the Seattle defense hasn’t held a team under 24 points since the last time it played the Eagles. The Seahawks benefited from five turnovers in that game, which is unlikely to happen again.

That game was also before Wentz began to play better late in the year and put the Eagles on his back.

Flip the Script

The Seahawks have been the better team for most of the season, but the Eagles are finding ways to win at the moment, which is something Seattle has struggled to do. This game feels like a coin flip, and with the Eagles at home and somehow on a hot streak, they might be the better pick in this game. Bet on the Eagles surprising the Seahawks in the Wild Card Round.

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