Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals 3:00 PM
The first ticket to Super Bowl XLIII will be punched on Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, Arizona, allowing Bookmaker Sportsbook members a chance to sink their teeth into a fantastic showdown when the Philadelphia Eagles (11-6-1, 12-6 ATS) head to the desert to do battle with the Arizona Cardinals (11-7, 11-7 ATS) in the NFC Championship game.
These two teams went at it in the City of Brotherly Love on Thanksgiving night, where The Eagles dominated the match-up winning 48-20 as three-point home favorites. It was the third straight game in this series that went over the closing ‘total’, and was also the third straight ATS victory for the home team.
Going into Week 17, the Eagles needed everything short of a miracle just to get into the playoffs. Following their 23-11 victory over the Giants in the Meadowlands last weekend, they’re now just one step from the franchise’s second Super Bowl appearance in the last five years.
None of Philly’s offensive numbers were impressive in the Meadowlands, as QB Donovan McNabb only completed 22 of 40 passes for 217 yards, and the rushing attack only mustered 59 yards. The defense was another story however, as defensive coordinator Jim Johnson’s bunch forced two picks from QB Eli Manning to send the Eagles packing for the desert. The Eagles defense ranked in the Top-5 this season in every major category, and was instrumental in Philly’s last eight games played; it went 5-3 SU and 6-2 ATS in those eight games. Philadelphia is the second choice for NFL bettors in Super Bowl XLIII betting (+165) behind only Pittsburgh (+140).
The biggest underdog on the board in the Super Bowl betting odds going into last week belonged to the Arizona Cardinals, who were lined as high as 35-1 to win it all. Now the Cards are hosting the NFC title game, and though they are still the longest shot on the board, their odds are down to 7-1. Last weekend, Arizona provided football bettors with the biggest upset in the playoffs since last season’s Super Bowl when it shocked Carolina 33-13 as 10-point road underdogs. WR Larry Fitzgerald stepped up and picked up the slack for injured WR Anquan Boldin, logging 166 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. The story was the defense though, which forced Carolina QB Jake Delhomme into six turnovers. A similar defensive effort against the Eagles should land the Cards in Super Bowl XLIII.
Even though the Cardinals are hosting the game, Philadelphia is the choice for the oddsmakers in this game. The Eagles have been installed as four-point road favorites, while the ‘total’ for this NFC Championship has been set at 47.
Even though seven of Philadelphia’s L/9 playoff games have gone under the ‘total’, consider adding the over to your NFL betting card this weekend. Arizona has played to the high side of the ‘total’ in 19 of its L/26 home games, and seven of the previous nine meetings between these teams combined to go over the closing ‘total’.
Whether you plan on cashing with the home-dogged Cardinals or flying with Eagles, Bookmaker Sportsbook has all of your football betting options covered for both Championship Games and Super Bowl XLIII, so be sure to login to your account right now and place your NFL bets!
