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Expert Picks
Wish I had jumped on this earlier, but I'll still lay it with an Eagles team that can clinch the NFC's top seed Monday night. Oakland has nothing to play for and Jack Del Rio could be on his way out. Philly plans to rest starters in Week 17 if it secures homefield advantage Monday, so we'll get an all-out effort from the NFC's top team. Philly won its last five home games by at least 10 points before playing three straight on the road. Nick Foles, with help from a fearsome Philly defensive front, can keep that trend going.
Oakland's faint playoff hopes expired Sunday, which helped nudge the spread up to 10 points. Happily, the total has dipped to 46.5, down two from the original figure, and Philadelphia games clear more often than not. In fact, the past two Eagles games have produced 78 and 63 points. QB Nick Foles will not approach his touchdown pass total -- seven! -- the first time he faced the Raiders four years ago. Sill, he can carve up this defense, particularly if the peerless Lane Johnson keeps defensive end Khalil Mack at bay. Of equal importance is the fading Philly defense, which has allowed 88 points over the past three games. Oakland RB Marshawn Lynch has regained his touch, so the underdogs can do their relatively small part in securing the Over.
This is a terrible spot for the Raiders, as they're functionally out of the playoff race and have to travel cross-country for a Christmas Day game against a team fighting for homefield advantage. I don't see how the Raiders, a team that has seemingly had motivation issues this season, gets up for this game. The Raiders are 2-8-2 ATS since Week 2, and while the Eagles are 1-2 ATS in their last three, all three came on the road (two on the West Coast). If Carson Wentz was playing, the Eagles would be favored by at least 13.5, and it's not like Nick Foles fell on his face last week. Eagles roll on Christmas.
The Eagles offense always produces in the end. They found a way to put up 34 last week against the New York Giants. Even without Carson Wentz, the offense was able to attack the entire field and be productive. Expect that to continue to improve as Nick Foles starts his second game against a highly suspect defense. The Giants' defense posed a stiffer challenge. Lay the points.