The rubber meets the road this Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field when the 6-8 Philadelphia Eagles play host to the the 7-7 Washington Redskins in what is essentially a playoff game for both teams. If the Redskins win as three-point road underdogs they would sweep the Eagles for the season and clinch the NFC East crown. If Philadelphia finds a way to win, it would control its destiny in the division race. A win in the Eagles' final game of the season against the New York Giants would clinch the second NFC East title in Chip Kelly's three seasons at the helm as head coach.
You get the feeling that this is going to be a three-point game either way, so I would be inclined to take the three points and go with Washington. However, after 14 previous tries I have come to the realization that it is next to impossible to handicap the Eagles (or any team in this division) this year. They change their playing form from one quarter to the next let alone from week from week. Just when you think the offense has turned the corner under the direction of Sam Bradford, it starts to sputter and stall. Philadelphia's defense has done a great job at creating turnovers all season long, but it has also been torched for 40 points or more in three of the team's last five games.
Before last Sunday night's correct and very predictable call that the Eagles would crash and burn against Arizona, I made another bold prediction that the Eagles would win these last two games to clinch the NFC East title. This would most likely set-up the opportunity for the Birds to embarrass themselves in the Wildcard Round against the Seattle Seahawks as their likely opponent. I did go with the Redskins and the points for Saturday night in a game preview for Handicappers Hideaway, but I am sticking with the call that Philly wins both of its last two games straight-up to keep the torture going for one more week.
NFL Week 16 Preview & Pick: Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
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