COMMANDERS at EAGLES
3 p.m., Eagles by 5 ½, 48
HANK’S HONEYS: Kudos to Jayden Daniels. He’s had pretty much as good a rookie season as any quarterback, ever. However this recreation isn’t going to be determined by the QBs. It’s going to return all the way down to the large boys up entrance and the fellows lugging the soccer. Nobody has accomplished that higher this 12 months than Saquon Barkley and solely two groups in your complete league defended the run worse than the Commanders, at 137 yards per recreation. Barkley, in fact, was a giant a part of that, dashing for 296 yards, 4 TDs and a 6.57-ypc clip within the two conferences between the groups this 12 months.
We won’t know the standing of Jalen Hurts till he takes the sphere, though, both method, his mobility, a key side within the Eagle offense, will likely be restricted. But when Washington can’t cease Barkley, it won’t matter.
Clearly, if Daniels continues his phenomenal, mistake-free play, the Commanders can simply win this recreation. However he will likely be up in opposition to the most effective protection he’s confronted within the postseason. The Bucs weren’t superb and the Lions have been worse, which was why Washington has punted solely as soon as in two video games. Odds are, the Eagles are going to get their stops. We don’t see the Commanders changing on third and fourth downs at their most up-to-date loopy fee. The standing of Philly’s rookie CB Quinyon Mitchell bears watching but when he can play, he’ll. On the similar time, shedding RG Sam Cosmi is a large blow to Washington. That’s the place Jalen Carter does his injury. Daniels has been sacked solely as soon as within the playoffs.
The Lions ignored the Commanders considerably final week. They have been extra cocky than assured. The Eagles know what their divisional rivals can do and so they know precisely the best way to beat them. As for the overall, if you happen to just like the Eagles, it’s the below. For those who just like the Commanders, it’s the over. Simply remember that the circumstances won’t be as excellent as they have been in Tampa or Detroit.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Eagles and the below.
BILLS at CHIEFS
6:30 p.m., Chiefs by 1 ½, 48
HANK’S HONEYS: It simply feels as if the Chiefs’ luck might lastly run out on this one, and sure, that features these favorable calls. For those who’re into conspiracy theories (and we’re not), referee Clete Blakeman and his crew have drawn the project and he has a historical past of throwing flags in opposition to the Chiefs.
Betting in opposition to Patrick Mahomes within the postseason has been a shedding proposition, together with his matchups with Buffalo. However it is a totally different Josh Allen as he comes off a victory over one other MVP candidate in Lamar Jackson. Ok.C. defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s method virtually by no means varies. It’s a heavy blitz bundle in entrance of man protection and Allen occurs to be among the finest QBs in opposition to each ideas. Not the mistake-prone gunslinger, Allen has been extra risk-averse this season whereas trying extra to beneath routes over the house run ball. You beat the Chiefs’ secondary with endurance and Allen has displayed that trait this season. That has contributed to an NFL-best plus-27 turnover fee for a web acquire of 111 factors. What’s extra, the Payments, with an 87% TD fee, have been much better within the pink zone this previous season. Each of these tendencies confirmed up within the win over the Ravens final week. It’s true that the Chiefs don’t beat themselves however the Payments are even higher at it.
With what’s anticipated of the 2 recreation plans, this shapes up as a low-scoring recreation. The Chiefs have been successful with protection and coming in below the quantity all 12 months. Andy Reid doesn’t need to get right into a shootout. On the similar time, whereas the Payments are extra explosive, they’ve gone to extra of a run-heavy recreation plan. Anticipate a chess match.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Payments and the below.
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BEST BET: Eagles. Extra grief for Giants followers.
LAST WEEK: 1-2-1, 2-2 over/below
POSTSEASON: 4-5-1, 6-4 over/below
BEST BETS: 2-0
