In the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles are underdogs as they prepare to take on the Chicago Bears. This late afternoon game will commence at 4:40 p.m. ET and NBC will broadcast the action.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears Betting Preview
In this Sunday NFC matchup, Chicago has been tabbed as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 6 points. The Eagles are also receiving +180 moneyline odds while the Bears are -220. Some good live betting possibilities might be unveiled during the game, and oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 41 points.
The game’s O/U has swung lower after opening at 42. The original line of -6 has yet to change.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as the Eagles have gained 1.6 units while the Bears are up 6.9 units.
The Eagles are 9-7 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Bears are 12-4 SU.
The Eagles are looking to keep things going after a solid 24-0 win over Washington in Week 17. Nick Foles completed 28 passes on 33 attempts for 221 yards, two scores and one interception. Wendell Smallwood (53 yards on 12 rushes) and Josh Adams (50 yards on 11 carries) led the running attack in the win while Alshon Jeffery (five receptions, 59 yards, one TD) and Nelson Agholor (five catches, 40 yards, two TDs) handled the receiving duties.
The Chicago Bears are coming off of a 24-10 win over Minnesota in Week 17. The defense did its job in the victory, holding the Vikings to just 132 passing yards and 63 yards on the ground. Dalvin Cook was a bright spot in the loss for Minnesota, recording 21 yards on four catches. For Chicago, Mitchell Trubisky completed 18-of-26 passes for 163 yards. Jordan Howard (109 rushing yards on 21 attempts, two TDs) spearheaded the ground game in the win while Trey Burton (five receptions, 33 yards) and Taylor Gabriel (four catches, 61 yards) led the receiving attack.
Philadelphia’s run the ball on 39.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Chicago has a rush percentage of 47.8 percent. The Eagles have rushed for 98 yards/game and have 12 scores via handoffs this year. The Bears are putting up 121 rushing yards per game and have 16 total rush TDs.
If 2018 numbers can translate to this game, then it appears the Bears may own an edge when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game, since their backfield has logged 4.1 yards per carry while the defense has allowed a YPC of 3.8 to opponents. The Eagles have tallied 3.9 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 4.7 to opponents.
The Eagles offensive scheme has logged 283 yards/game in the air overall and has 29 passing TDs so far. The Bears have put up 234 pass yards per outing and have 28 total pass scores.
Defensively, Philadelphia has allowed 97 rush yards and 289 pass yards per game. The Chicago defense has allowed 240.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 80.0 yards per game on the ground. The Bears are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.12 to opponents, while the Eagles have given up a 6.41 ANY/A.
Offensively, Foles is up to 942 passing yards this year, and has connected on 73 percent of his 146 attempts with three scores through the air and three interceptions. Foles has a 5.38 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 8.15 over the past two games.
Mitchell Trubisky has completed 264-of-405 passes for 2,977 yards, 23 TDs and 12 INTs for Chicago. His ANY/A stands at 6.49 for the season and 7.21 over his past two outings.
These two teams faced off last year with the final result being a 31-3 win for Philadelphia.
RELATED: NFL Wild Card Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Pick: Eagles vs. Bears
SU Winner – Bears, ATS Winner – Bears, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes
Chicago has lost 10 fumbles this season while Philadelphia has let 12 get away.
The Chicago defensive unit has sacked opposing quarterbacks 50 times this season. Philadelphia has produced just 44 sacks.
As a team, Philadelphia has produced 3.5 yards per carry across its past three outings and 3.3 over its last two.
Chicago has averaged 3.8 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.0 over its last two.
In its last three matches, Chicago is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Philadelphia’s last game was set at 42.5. The under cashed in the team’s 24-0 triumph over Washington.
In its last three contests, Philadelphia is 2-0-1 ATS.
The Over/Under for Chicago’s previous match was set at 40. The under cashed in that 24-10 victory over Minnesota.
Philadelphia has won six of its last seven games SU, with a six-point defeat to Dallas on December 9th accounting for the only loss over that span.
Chicago has won 10 of its last 11 games SU, with a -3-point loss to New York on December 2nd accounting for its only defeat over that stretch.
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