MOVED TO TUESDAY NIGHT — NFL Betting – Eagles Can Lock Up NFC East Title
Three straight wins including last Sunday’s remarkable comeback against the New York Giants has the Philadelphia Eagles within reach of clinching the NFC East title. That fun ride will continue this week as Starship No.7, aka Michael Vick, welcomes the Minnesota Vikings to Lincoln Financial Field in a game originally thought by many would be a potential NFC Championship game preview.
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Week 16 Minnesota Vikings vs Philadelphia Eagles Betting Matchup
Date/Time: 8:25 PM ET, Sunday, December 26, 2010
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: NBC
Odds: Vikings +14.5, Eagles -14.5
Total: 43
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As you can tell by the huge spread favoring the Eagles, it’s not.
How Can Minnesota Win?
Minnesota will need a miracle.
For starters, they’ll have to do the impossible and stop Vick and considering stopping any offense has been a problem, stopping Vick will be exponentially tough. The former Virginia Tech signal-caller has thrown for 2,755 yards and 20 touchdowns, and scampered for 613 more as well as another six touchdowns. There hasn’t been a better quarterback in the NFC all year and deservedly so, Vick’s name has been right there with Tom Brady’s in MVP talk.
The Vikings have had a tough time on defense all year including a 40-14 thrashing at the hands of the Chicago Bears a week ago. There is still uncertainty about who will start at quarterback for Minnesota and whoever it is could be in for a long day against that vaunted Eagles’ pass rush.
How Can Philadelphia Win?
Vick will do his part but he could use some help from running back LeSean McCoy and company to keep him from wearing down over the final stretch as the postseason approaches.
McCoy has averaged 5.3 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns this season, and could get a bigger load over the final two games to prevent Vick from exposing himself to injury.
The Eagles, who rank fourth in rushing yards and sixth in passing yards, are one of the most balanced offenses in the league.
The defense should be able to tee off against a Vikings’ offense that has more question marks than answers, including a banged up Adrian Peterson and a suspect quarterback situation. Despite ranking 21st in the league against the pass, they should have no trouble with whoever Minnesota sends under center.
Outlook
The Eagles were supposed to be good, but nobody could have predicted that this would become Vick’s team so fast or that he would play as well as he has.
With the finish line in sight and the Eagles within arm’s reach of the division title, they should be able to clinch against a Minnesota team that has suffered through a tumultuous season of injuries and inconsistencies.
Philadelphia has been one of the most exciting teams to watch this year, and will continue to put up big numbers in front of their home crowd as they clinch the division. And Minnesota won’t have any answers – just as they haven’t all season long.
Betting Trends:
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Philadelphia’s last 10 games
Philadelphia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Pick: Eagles -14.5
