Eagles game moved to Tuesday | Here comes Washington, but Sean Green says Eagles cover again with ground game the key

Please note that this article was written prior to the NFL moving the game from Sunday to Tuesday due to a number of members of the Washington Football Team having COVID-19. The author stands by the prediction for Tuesday.

The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a late bye week and face off Sunday against the Washington Football Team, one of four division games remaining on their schedule. The Eagles (6-7) last game was a 15-point win against the hapless Jets and Washington’s (6-7) last game was a tough 7-point loss to NFC East Rival Dallas Cowboys. The winner of this game will have a nice leg up when it comes to securing a wildcard spot for the playoffs.

Currently, the Philadelphia Eagles are -7 (-110) according to the latest odds via WynnBET. If that line sounds high, it’s because Washington is dealing with a tremendous amount of injuries and Covid 19 issues. They’ll most likely be without WR Terry McLaurin, RB J.D. McKissic, CB Kendall Fuller and DT Jonathan Allen. For older Eagles fans, this game is shaping up to be a modern version of the classic ‘Body Bag’ game between the Eagles and Redskins back in 1990. 

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Key Defensive Matchup

For the Eagles, the key defensive matchup will be slowing down Washington’s star RB Antonio Gibson. WFT will be severely limited with the playmakers and even their starting QB Taylor Heinicke is working through an elbow injury and knee injury. It’s tough to fathom WFT having a great game on offense without Gibson being a big part. The Eagles have struggled with athletic pass-catching RBs and will really need good play from their LBs to lock down WFT offense.

Key Offensive Matchup

There is still not 100% clarity on who the starting QB will be on Sunday. Some reports have Jalen Hurts starting, however, he does continue to split practice reps with Gardner Minshew because of his high ankle sprain. The key offensive matchup doesn’t revolve around the passing game but instead the running game. The Eagles have turned around their season by running the ball and this Sunday should be no different.  The Eagles dominant OL should have a field day against the WFT DL.

The Pick

Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders should have big days on the ground as the Eagles will once again limit their passing attack. Defensively, they’ll be able to key on Antonio Gibson and make life very difficult for a banged-up Taylor Heinicke. Most games in the NFC East aren’t pretty and this one looks to be no exception.  The Eagles get the win and the cover but the game goes under: PHI 23 – WFT 13.

Sean Green is the co-host of The Sports Gambling Podcast, tune in to hear free picks for all the NFL games against the spread, college football, fantasy football and more! Follow The Sports Gambling Podcast on Twitter @GamblingPodcast.