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Sunday Night Football Picks Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams

by Mike Allen - 11/21/2024

Sunday Night Football picks Philadelphia Eagles vs Los Angeles Rams Saquon Barkley

This Sunday night from Los Angeles, we get a matchup of two teams almost headed in two different directions. The Philadelphia Eagles shook off their injury bug and are now nearly at full strength and winners of their last six games. The Rams may be on their way very soon to packing it in for what has been, to this point, a very disappointing year.

It's not over yet, though, for LA. They still have a 15% chance to make the postseason, and that's the only thing keeping this line under a field goal. That isn't public money thinking about a back-against-the-wall situation. The public sees the hottest team in the league versus the Rams, who recently looked like garbage in prime time against the Dolphins and barely beat the Pats last week.

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Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) at Los Angeles Rams (+2.5)

There was a sour taste in my mouth after backing the LA Rams on Monday night to Miami. I get it. The Dolphins were healthy and invigorated as well, with their backs even further against the wall. It was just perplexing to see the Rams' offense struggle mightily at full strength.

This betting line opened at (-3) for Philly, and honestly, I thought it would go the other way. If you like Philly, you can't just jump. A proper head scratching is necessary beforehand.

Moneyline Odds

Eagles: -150

Rams: +130

A wise man once told me if I like a betting favorite under a field goal, always take the moneyline. If we go with the Eagles, that will have to be the play.

Point Total: 49

I would lean toward the over, but both teams, while known for their offenses, have underrated defenses.

Eagles at Rams Betting Analysis

The case for the Philadelphia Eagles starts on offense, in the trenches. From there, Saquon Barkley needs to get going, and that hasn't been a problem for him in 2024. Currently the co-leader with Derrick Henry for Offensive Player of the Year, Barkley makes everyone's job easier. That's a good thing for head coach Nick Sirianni because, without Barkley, I don't think he still has a job. He does a great job getting out of the way and letting his coordinators do their jobs. I love that. Critical coaching decisions in real-time are not his strength, and he just doesn't seem like an impressive put-together man. Maybe it's just me, but I'm sure there are some cheez wiz steak sandwich-eating locals who might agree.

The criticism has to stop there, however, as his team is in first place, has won six straight, and their defense has been #1 in football over that span. Jalen Hurts may not be an elite pocket passer, but this offense is virtually void of any holes.

The Rams' defense hasn't been good since they won the Super Bowl, and the loss of Aaron Donald has been more than noticeable. That said, LA has been top-ten in the league alongside Philly at stopping the runs. That's where it stops, though, as the Rams go from one of the best at run defense to the very bottom of the league at stopping the pass.

You can see that the Rams' defense at least matches up well with the vaunted Eagles offense because Philly runs the ball to pass it.

On the other side, LA has one of, if not the best offensive coach, QB, WR1, and WR2 combos in the NFL. You know their names, and we all know what they can do, but against the best-performing secondary in the NFL, they just might underachieve again.

Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is making a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has shut down #1 wide receiver after another this year. Nickel corner Cooper DeJean out of Iowa has been a fan favorite. It's hard to find holes in the Philly defense. They don't have a signature pass rusher like some teams, but they have an entire committee.

Eagles at Rams Betting Pick

This seems like the time we would get a sell-high spot on the Eagles, but that’s not the case. I like how the Rams match up, but we aren’t getting (+3.5) or even (+3). Philly had an easy 2nd half on Sunday. The Rams had to make the trip west home from Foxboro, so the travel is equal.

Give me one of the best rosters and road teams in football to find a way to get the W on the road against a weak crowd and suspect secondary.

Pick: Eagles Moneyline (-150)

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