The Philadelphia Eagles opened as 2.5-point road underdogs in their Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Underdogs? What is this, 2017?
Not quite.
But the Birds not being favored to win is certainly a rare position for them to be in.
So rare that it technically hasn’t happened this season.
They did open as 2.5-point road underdogs to the Green Bay Packers in Week 10. But that line shifted to the Eagles being favored by 1.5 points right before kickoff.
We probably won’t see that same kind of movement in this situation.
The Bills are one of three teams with shorter odds than the Eagles to win Super Bowl LX. Here’s the entire top five, via FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Los Angeles Rams +420
- Seattle Seahawks +650
- Buffalo Bills +850
- Philadelphia Eagles +900
- Denver Broncos +950
Josh Allen is obviously the biggest driver of Buffalo’s success; only three quarterbacks have produced a better passer rating this season. Not to mention he leads all quarterbacks in rushing yards (difference between him and second is similar to the difference between second and seventh) and rushing touchdowns. To be determined if his mobility will be impacted at all by an ankle injury scare he played through in Week 16. Vic Fangio’s defense figures to be up for the challenge but it’ll take a big effort from them to slow Allen down.
The Bills’ defense, however? That unit can be had. Buffalo ranks 22nd in offensive points allowed and 24th in defensive DVOA, The Bills have been especially vulnerable against the run; they’ve allowed the second-most yards per rushing attempt in the NFL. Only the New York Giants, who the Eagles successfully ran over in Week 8, have been worse.
So, maybe the Birds should be looking to pound the rock with Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby to pull off the upset this weekend. Lane Johnson’s potential return could help the offensive line’s run blocking.
This game isn’t a must-win matchup for either side but the Eagles are still alive for a top two seed in the NFC playoff picture and the Bills have yet to officially clinch a playoff berth. They should both be motivated to win in what could conceivably be a preview of Super Bowl LX.
What say you? Do the Eagles extend their winning streak to three games or will the Bills beat them?
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