Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 17 vs. Giants

The Eagles tried to play the role of spoiler last week against Washington, but came up just short of sending the game to overtime in the closing seconds of a 27-20 loss. They now have the chance to march into MetLife Stadium this Sunday and knock the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants out of the playoffs as seven-point underdogs on the road.

No matter what happens this Sunday there are a few things that are painfully obvious to every Eagles fan. First, our beloved Birds are in line to finish with their worst record since 1998 when they went 3-13 under the guidance of Ray Rhodes as head coach. Next, Andy Reid, who happens to be the all-time winningest coach in franchise history and the NFL's longest tenured head coach with the same team, should be fired some time early next week. Finally, Michael Vick is slated to get the start for an injured Nick Foles in what will most likely be his last game in Eagles’ green.

This offseason will bring a sea of change to this franchise, but if Jeff Lurie is able to land the right guy as his new head coach, Philadelphia clearly has enough talent on both sides of the ball to turn things around in a hurry. Every single player on the current roster will be auditioning for his job this Sunday and they would love nothing better than being the ones that denied the Giants a chance to defend their title.

I am not convinced that the Birds can actually win this game as that would not be a fitting end to a season where anything and everything has gone wrong. What I do see is another valiant effort that is derailed by untimely penalties, blow coverage’s and a few costly turnovers that result in a three or four point loss.

Below is a link to my final Eagles’ preview and prediction for this season in what has been an ongoing series for Doc’s Sports Services. My overall performance trying to figure out what this team was going to do each week was pretty bad to say the least. However, if I hit on this Sunday’s play it would be my third correct pick in a row, which might be just enough to save my job for at least one more season.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 17 vs. Giants

A shout out to Andy Reid

The Eagles head into their final game of what has been their most dismal season since Ray Rhodes stalked the sidelines as the Eagles' head coach. They head on the road to face the Giants this Sunday as a team with far more question marks than answers.

It is pretty much a foregone conclusion that this will be Andy Reid's last game as the Birds' current head coach after spending his last 14 years in that role. He is currently the longest tenured head coach in the NFL with the same team, but as the saying goes 'all good things must come to an end'. Reid's last two seasons have been tumultuous to say the least but that is what losing brings to the table in this position in this city.

Once the tide of popular opinion turns against you, it rarely turns itself around. Tom Coughlin has been able to survive a couple of close calls in New York but it is amazing what a few Super Bowl titles can do for your job security. Many of the other knuckle-head, die-hard fans I talked to this season actually gave-up on Andy a few years back, giving much of his credit as a head coach to former defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Nobody was a bigger Johnson fan than myself as I would much rather have a smash-mouth defense than a flashy, big-play offense. However, I was never one to throw Reid under the bus and I am not about start now.

His biggest mistake was hanging around about two or three seasons too long. I believe I read somewhere that former San Francisco head coach Bill Walsh stated that no head coach should stay with the same team for longer than 10 years. Reid was an in-direct disciple of the Godfather of the West Coast offense through his direct mentor Mike Holmgren. Walsh coached the 49ers from 1979 to 1988 (10 years) and won three Super Bowls. Holmgren coached the Packers from 1992 to 1998 (7 years) and went to two Super Bowls and won one in 1996. Reid took over the reins in Philadelphia in 1999 and led the team to four-straight NFC Championship games from 2001 to 2004 and to the Super Bowl in 2004. That is when things started to become unglued with Donovan McNabb and the whole T.O. fiasco.

He steered the team back to the NFC title game in 2008 in his 10th season at the helm. Even though the Eagles made it back to playoffs the following two seasons, he probably should have quit while he was ahead. Unfortunately, without a Super Bowl ring on his finger, he pressed-on and now his legacy in Philadelphia will be forever tarnished with the memory of this past season.

Do not cry for Andy, although I doubt that too many Philly fans would, as he will be back on the sidelines somewhere in the NFL next season. Coaching is the only life he knows and he is far too young to hang up his clipboard and head set for good. I personally wish him the best and only hope he ends up somewhere in the AFC. This way the Eagles would only have to face his team every four years, unless they meet in the Super Bowl, where he would probably end-up getting that ring he was looking for along.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 16 vs. Washington

We are down to the final two weeks of the NFL regular season and all the Eagles can do is play the role of spoiler in this Sunday's game against Washington at the Linc and next Sunday's game in the Meadowlands against the Giants.

It has been a trying season to say the least in not only watching the Birds but trying to predict the outcome of their games. I nailed last week's collapse against Cincinnati, but was pretty much dead wrong with every other pick this year. Things got so bad I had to seek out the advice of one of EaglesLincs most loyal followers, Chuck B. Good. He made the call on this week's Redskins game and I have to agree with his pick whole heartedly.

The following is a link to my weekly Eagles' game preview and prediction for Doc's Sport Services as previously posted on their site. With Chuck's help, I actually made this pick one of my top unit plays of the year utilizing Doc's Unit Betting System.



Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 16 vs. Washington

NFL Betting: Principles of Playoff Success

We are heading into Week 16 off the NFL regular season and the only thing we know for sure about the playoffs when it comes to the NFC East is that Eagles' chances to make it in ended when the leaves were still on the trees and pretty much still green. The Birds actually have an opportunity to have a major say in which team actually wins the East with a home game against Washington and a road game against the Giants to close out the regular season.

I just cannot see Philly derailing the Redskins' chances and Dallas should find a way to get by New Orleans this Sunday, so this season's NFC East title should come down to the winner of a Week 17 showdown between the Cowboys and Redskins in Washington. I cannot bring myself to root for Dallas and the Giants had their shot last year, so I guess I am pulling for RG III and the Skins.

Last season, I boldly stated in one of my posts that it did not matter which team won the division because they were going to be a 'one and done' in the playoffs anyway. There is no way I can be wrong two years in a row, so I am saying it again. Whichever of these three teams claims the NFC East will have a very short stay in the postseason and the other two will end-up in the same boat as the Eagles; watching the playoffs on TV.

The following is a link to an article I recently wrote for SBR Forum as part of a three-part series on tips for wagering on the NFL playoffs.

NFL Betting: Principles of Playoff Success

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 15 vs. Bengals

The Eagles make their first appearance on NFL Network's Thursday Night Football riding an unexpected one-game winning streak after last Sunday's thrilling last-second victory over Tampa Bay. This week they have a chance to end another team's slim playoff chances when they face the 7-6 Cincinnati Bengals. The Birds also have a chance to post a 3-1 record against the AFC North, which has already accounted for half their wins this year.

You gotta love the way rookie quarterback Nick Foles hung tough and willed the team to a win over the Buccaneers and you have to hope he takes another step forward against a pretty solid Bengals' defense. Thursday night is also a chance for the Eagles' defensive secondary to prove that last Sunday's unexpected performance against Tampa Bay was not a fluke with Andy Dalton and AJ Green coming to town.

Finally, this game is one of three remaining chances for Andy Reid to add to his running record as the winningest head coach in franchise history. At first I thought Jeff Lurie should have let him go once the Eagles hit seven losses, but in retrospect, I glad he is letting him ride out the string.

The following is a link to my weekly Eagles preview and prediction that has been featured on Doc's Sports Service all season long. My overall record picking these games is as bad as the Eagles playing them, but it has still been fun.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 15 vs. Bengals

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay

This Sunday, the Eagles travel to Tampa Bay looking to snap their longest losing streak since the late 90's. Things have gotten so bad this season that I have already read a couple of articles talking about how Philadelphia might qualify for next April's top pick in the draft. I myself have questioned whether or not this team will win again this season after suffering through one disappointing performance after another.

Making matters worse for this Sunday's game is the fact that the 6-6 Buccaneers are still in the playoff hunt and in desperate need of a win to keep their hopes alive. Rookie quarterback Nick Foles has been handed the reins to the offense for the rest of the season but he is seriously handicapped with both LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson out of the lineup. The one bright spot has been the emergence of rookie running back Bryce Brown, who is averaging 6.5 yards a carry. He has also fumbled the ball three times in his last two games which obviously needs to be corrected if he is to become a legitimate one-two punch out of the backfield with McCoy.

The best news out of Philadelphia this week was new defensive line coach Tommy Brasher's decision to abandon the 'wide 9' scheme the line had been using the past two seasons. This alignment never made any sense to me as I think it created way too many uncloseable gaps for the opponents running game. I guess it was somewhat of a success last season in helping to create sacks but even that advantage has all but disappeared this year.

Overall, the 2012 campaign has been a complete disaster in every phase of the game as we have watched a once proud team hit rock bottom. The good news is that if Jeff Lurie can bring in the right head coach, this team still has enough talent to turn things around pretty quickly. It is obvious that current coach Andy Reid lost his team somewhere back in early October and is not about to claim it back over the next four weeks.

Below is a link to my weekly preview and prediction for Doc’s Sports Service that was previously posted earlier this week.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay

NFL Totals Betting: Week 14 Over and Under Predictions

The NFL regular season continues to wind down and with the Eagles already having one of their claws firmly planted in the offseason, I have decided to focus a good deal of my energy on my weekly "over/under" picks for the remainder of the NFL season. That does not mean that I faked my way through the first 13 weeks of games, much like our beloved Birds did, it just means I am going dig even deeper into the last four weeks of matchups to unearth some sure-fire winners each week.

I am actually slightly above .500 for the season on my top plays, but not nearly as good as last season when I hit on just under 60 pecent of my picks. This year has been a challenge especially over the past seven weeks where the Oddsmakers have absolutely nailed to total line with 48 games going OVER, 50 staying UNDER and three ending as a PUSH.

I firmly believe that I have found three solid plays for Week 14 in the NFL so please click the link below to check them out for youself in my weekly piece for Doc's Sports Service. Also be sure to check back later in the week for my complete preview and prediction for Sunday's Tampa Bay game.

NFL Totals Betting: Week 14 Over and Under Predictions

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 13 vs. Cowboys

The Eagles season has long been derailed but this Sunday night they get a chance to derail the season of their bitterest rival. What would be better than seeing our beleaguered Birds march into Big D and knock the Cowboys out of the playoff? We have had very little to cheer for this year but that would be an early Christmas present for a loyal fan base that expected the world this year but had their Eagles' stocking filled with coal long before the start of the Holiday Season.

In what has been one nightmare after another, beating Dallas on Sunday night is still just a dream. To put things in simple terms; the Cowboys stink but the Eagles stink worse! The offense has been decimated with injuries and will have just three players in Sunday night's starting lineup that took the field on opening day. For the most part the defense has remained healthy, but that might be part of the problem. Things got so bad after last Monday night's pathetic showing against the 2-8 Carolina Panthers that, in an attempt to shake-up the locker room, Andy Reid decided to send one of his best lineman, Jason Babin packing. The effort on this side of the ball has been downright embarrassing for players that consider themselves pros.

The current state of affairs on this team will most likely prevent it from winning another game all season long, but something tells me that the Birds will pack a bit of pride for their trip to Cowboys Stadium that will actually work to keep this game competitive for all four quarters.

The following is a link to this week's game preview and prediction that was previously posted on Doc's Sports Service as part of my weekly series covering the Eagles.


Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 13 vs. Cowboys

Which Team is really the best in the NFL?

Each and every week the debate rages on among all the football experts as to which team is currently the best in the NFL. This situation is constantly in flux based on the previous week's results as most people have the tendency to only focus on the present instead of taking into consideration past results and future potential.

The following is a link to an article I did earlier this week for Doc's Sports Services that was posted on Sports Glory detailing my personal top five teams after Week 12 of the regular season. Just as a side note, I probably would not have elevated Atlanta from its current spot even with Thursday night's victory over New Orleans, but the Falcons continue to cement the fact that they are clearly the best team in the NFC.

Which Team is Really the Best in the NFL?

My Bold Prediction for Andy Reid's Next Stop

It is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Andy Reid will not be back next season as the Eagles head coach especially since team owner Jeff Lurie already stated before the season started that the team would have to do a better job than last year's 8-8 record for him to keep his job.

At 3-8 with five games to go, there is a very strong possibility that this team does not win another game this year, so that begs the question of what is next for Reid? The first thing you can rule out is seeing him on ESPN or the NFL Network breaking down matchups or talking about which team is going to win the Super Bowl. He barely has the personality to do a postgame press conference let alone ham it up with Chris Berman on NFL Countdown.

He is a coach and that is what he does best. Love him or hate him, Reid is the best coach in the history of the Eagles franchise and it will be a long time before we ever see another coach do that much hard time in the City of Brotherly Love. It is hard enough to coach here for four seasons let alone 14 so he does deserve some credit for that. His main fault during this tenure was hanging around one or two seasons too long. He should have left town with Donovan McNabb as both of them were in desperate need of a fresh start.

Now on to the question at hand; what will Andy Reid be doing the first Sunday in September of next year? If he is smart, nothing, but that does not seem to be Reid's style. There are bound to be a few other vacancies in the NFL after this season besides Philadelphia and you would have to think that with a track record like his there would be some interest from the other teams looking for a new coach.

What about the New York Jets? Owner Woody Johnson has already seen where a coach who could not keep his mouth shut got him, so maybe hiring one that has specialized in one-word answers to the press would be a breath of fresh air. Reid has already shown that he can handle the hostile atmosphere in Philadelphia so coaching in the Big Apple might actually be a breeze.

Another possibility could be San Diego, but it is hard to see the Chargers replace one coach who outstayed his welcome with another that just did the same. There could be a vacancy in Cleveland, but with Mike Holmgren out of the picture, the new owner would probably not want to hire one of his proteges.

My bold prediction for Reid's future is the old coaching switcheroo. Sean Payton still maintains that he is returning to New Orleans next season after serving his one-year suspension by the NFL, but that could be easier said than done. He may actually need a fresh start much like Reid and what a better place to land than in Philadelphia, where his brash temperament would fit like a glove. Reid could head on down to the Big Easy to a team that already has an elite quarterback and a built-in mentality of throwing the ball 40 to 50 times a game. This may sound like a reach, but when this whole deal goes down just remember where you read about it first.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 12 vs. Panthers

It is only Week 12 of the NFL regular season and the Eagles are already riding out the string in what has been one of the worst seasons dating all the way back to 1998 when the Birds went 3-13 under the expert guidance of Ray Rhodes. It was his last season as head coach of the team as the following year a young assistant from Green Bay named Andy Reid took over the helm.

Reid guided the Eagles to a 5-11 record in his first season and will be hard-pressed to match that mark in what is sure to be his last season as head coach of this team. Do not feel bad for Reid as he will be stalking the sidelines in some other NFL city in the not too distant future. The question is, who will be steering the ship in Philadelphia when the Birds take the field in 2013.

I have some mixed thoughts on this, as a veteran head coach offers instant stability while an aggressive young coordinator might bring the necessary energy that this team that has been lacking in recent years. What about Jon Gruden coming back to his coaching roots? He might be the best candidate to offer both experience and an aggressive approach to winning games. I am not even sure he has any desire to return to the coaching grind as opposed to his cushy job on TV. Whomever Jeff Lurie decides to hire better have the thick skin to make it in the City of Brotherly Love, which is definitely something Reid brought to the table.

In the meantime, its on to Monday night and a date with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, which, believe it or not, are just as bad as the Birds. Below is a link to my weekly preview and prediction for the game as originally published on Doc's Sports Service.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 12 vs. Panthers

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 11 vs. Redskins

Rookie quarterback Nick Foles will be making his first NFL start in the regular season this Sunday when the Eagles try to crawl out of the NFC East basement against their co-tenants there; the Washington Redskins. Both teams are 3-6 on the year and already looking towards earning a favorable pick in next April's draft.

The big question in this game will be, is this the beginning of the 'Nick Foles Era' in Philadelphia or does Michael Vick still have a future with this team? I am expecting a decent showing from Foles against a Washington defense that has been absolutely horrible this year. Whether or not he will play well enough to keep Vick on the sidelines remains to be seen. My guess is that with a fairly soft schedule ahead, Foles will remain the starter as long as produces some positive results. With Andy Reid clearly on his way out as head coach, every player on the Eagles' current roster will be auditioning for their job over the next seven games. You cannot help but get the feeling that Vick may have already made his curtain call with this team.

Below is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Sunday's game as part of an ongoing series for Doc's Sports Services. For each Eagles' game, I utilize Doc's Unit Betting System to assign a confidence value for my pick.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 11 vs. Redskins

NFL Totals Betting: Week 11 Over and Under Predictions

The Eagles' loss to Dallas last Sunday was painful to watch on a number of levels. I am not really upset that they lost because neither one of these teams is going anywhere this season, but I am distraught over the final score.

I had gone way out on the ledge to predict that this game was definitely going to stay UNDER the 44.5-point total line to the point where I made this my biggest play of the season in my weekly Eagles' game prediction for Doc's Sports Service. I was sitting pretty with the Eagles leading 17-10 late in the third quarter and then in a blink of an eye (actually 2:25 minutes)the score had ballooned to 31-17 Dallas after it posted a long touchdown pass, punt return for a score and an interception returned for a score.

This revolting development marked the end of my day, the end of the Eagles' season and most likely the end of the Andy Reid and Michael Vick era in Philadelphia. It is hard to believe that that sort of incredible chain of events could have done that much damage.

I am back on the horse this week as far as picking my top three "over/under" matchups but am staying as far away from this Sunday's Eagles' game against the Redskins as I have no clue what that final score is going to look like.

If you want to check out this week's picks click the link below for this week's article on Doc's.


NFL Totals Betting: Week 11 Over and Under Predictions

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 10 vs. Dallas

It is Cowboys' week in Philly and the only thing that makes the Eagles four-game losing streak a bit more bearable is the fact that Dallas has been just as bad this season. I still never get tired of seeing Dallas owner Jerry Jones' face cringe as his team continues to blow game after game. As the league's reining egomaniac, there is nothing better to see his handiwork blow-up in his face.

Getting back to our beleaguered Birds, they are now just one loss away from a complete meltdown. I have cancelled my reservations to New Orleans after last week's debacle in that very city as this team has more holes than a big old block of Swiss cheese. The offensive line is a patch-work of second stringers and the defense is afraid to get its pants dirty by making a tackle. I never watched Nnamdi Asomugha play when he was with the Raiders but how the hell he was ever voted to the Pro Bowl is a complete mystery to me. He is easily the most overrated (and over-paid) player in the NFL. The sad part is this could be said about a number of players on the Eagles' current roster.

For anyone out there calling for Nick Foles to take over as starting quarterback you are way off base. It is hard to blame Michael Vick for the mess this team is in considering that he has been hit more times than a pinata at a kid's birthday party. I cannot make excuses for all of his turnovers, but when you are constantly running around to save your life, bad things are bound to happen.

My prediction for this Sunday's game is a tie, because that would be the only fitting result for two talented teams that have come nowhere close to living-up to the lofty expectations that were placed on them before the season started.

If you are interested in what my real prediction for Sunday's game is, check out the following link to my weekly Eagles' preview that is posted on Doc's Sports Service. If I keep making picks like I have for the first eight games they are going to cancel this season-long series, but I remain confident that I nailed it this time with my highest unit play of the season.


Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 10 vs. Dallas

Cowboys vs. Eagles Over and Under Prediction

The NFL regular season heads into Week 10 with a number of interesting matchups on the slate. At the top of the list is Sunday night's clash between the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears in what could easily be a preview of this year's Super Bowl.

Closer to home is this Sunday's Eagles game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Linc. I know I called last Monday night's game against New Orleans a desperation game, but this matchup is definitely the final straw for one of these teams as there is no coming back from a 3-6 record in a highly competitive NFC. I decided not to waste my time trying to handicap this game to come up with a winner since both team's recent dismal performance almost mirrors one another.

Instead, I spent much of my energy on handicapping the teams in terms of the total line and my conclusion is that there is no way that this game is going OVER the current 44.5-point line. I have been wrong about the Birds almost every week this season, but I am lunking the farm that this remains a low-scoring battle.

Look for both teams to move the ball up and down the field, like they have done all season long, but they will still struggle to score touchdowns, like they have all season long. These kind of problems usually do not correct themselves overnight. The Cowboys have averaged just over 18 points a game on the road this season and the Eagles have scored more than 20 points just twice in their first eight games.

Another factor that will keep the final score low will be that both Cowboys and the Eagles will be playing not to lose this game instead of trying to win it. Andy Reid will take his fair share of shots downfield as well as mix in a few gadget plays to try and gain an edge, but it will be next to impossible for his team to play loose with the entire season hanging in the balance. The same can be said for Dallas as it fully understands the gravity of the situation as well. A conservative approach means kicking the field goal as opposed to trying to extend a drive on fourth down. It means that LeSean McCoy should get his highest number of carries this season. Finally, it means that all a team needs is one more point than the other to escape with a win; so neither of these two rivals will be going for style points come Sunday afternoon.

The following is a link to a weekly article I write for Doc's Sports Service where I make my picks for the Top 3 plays on the total line each week. Be sure to check back later in the week for my complete preview of this Sunday's Cowboys vs. Eagles game.


NFL Totals Betting: Week 10 Over and Under Predictions

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 9 vs. Saints

This upcoming February, Super Bowl XLVII will be played in New Orleans when the best team from each conference will battle it out for a world title. This Monday night at the Superdome could easily be coined the Desperation Bowl as the winner lives to fight another day, while the loser can pretty much start planning for 2013.

As Eagles' fans, we are coming to know this scenario a bit too well after watching our team dig themselves into an early hole last season that it was never able to climb out of. A victory over the Saints in this game has the potential to kick-start a season that has been headed in the wrong direction over the past three games. A loss could start a chain reaction that would most likely cost Michael Vick and eventually Andy Reid his job.

Last year after Philly stumbled its way to an 8-8 record, I suggested that the 'Andy Reid Era' as head coach had probably run its course. I did not think that team owner Jeff Lurie should fire his head coach, but I did think that Reid would seriously consider going in a different direction by stepping down. The one thing we have learned about Reid is his resiliency in the face of adversity. Earlier this year, he tragically lost his son to a drug overdose and pressed-on. During the Eagles bye week he had to fire his defensive coordinator and, most recently, had to publically stand behind his quarterback when everyone around him was calling for a change. Many fans out there may not like Reid but you cannot help respect him for handling the good and the bad in this business with an even demeanor.

As I mentioned before last week’s game against Atlanta, my confidence in this team has been shaken to the core after this totally unexpected start. I honestly thought that the Eagles would be one of the top teams in the NFC, not because I am a knuckle-headed die-hard fan, but because of the overall level of talent on this roster.

There is still time for a turnaround and you have draw inspiration from both Green Bay’s and most recently New York’s unlikely run to a Super Bowl over the past two seasons, as desperation has a way of turning losers into winners. The problem is, this Eagles’ team appears to be getting worse after a lucky 3-1 start. It probably is time for a major overall of this team at both quarterback and head coach and unfortunately those wheels could very be set in motion after Monday night.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for the Eagles vs. Saints game in an article that was previously posted on Doc’s Sports Service. This is part a weekly series where I breakdown the matchup and offer a pick utilizing Doc’s Unit Betting System.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 9 vs. Saints

NFL Totals Betting: Week 9 Over and Under Predictions

Since we get a one-day reprieve from the Eagles this week I decided to post my weekly picks on the total line for Sunday's games. For anyone who enjoys wagering on the NFL, many times the total line can offer even more value than betting on the spread if you know where and how to look.

I have been doing this piece for Doc's Sports Service for two seasons now and have been fortunate to carve out an overall winning record. This season I got off to a horrendous start but a recent hot streak took my overall record to 12-10-1 on the year.

My confidence level for an Eagles win on Monday night is not all that high, but I feel a big week is in store with this week's Over/Under plays. Check them out for yourself through the link below and let me know what you think.

NFL Totals Betting: Week 9 Over and Under Predictions

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 8 vs. Falcons

The Eagles return to action this Sunday with a 1 p.m. showdown at the Linc against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. Andy Reid is a perfect 13-0 coming off a bye week but this game could be his biggest challenge in his long tenure as the Eagles' head coach.

He has already had to fire his defensive coordinator and has a $100 million dollar quarterback that cannot hold onto the ball. A loss on Sunday could very well mark the beginning of the end for both Reid and Michael Vick's career in Philadelphia. On the other hand, a win keeps the Birds right in the thick of the NFC East title race and could possibly ignite a second-half run towards a return to the playoffs.

With two weeks to try and correct the problems on both sides of the ball, look for a better effort against a Falcons' team that is one of the most balanced in the NFL. The Eagles' defense should come out with a much more aggressive approach towards getting after the quarterback and Vick will do everything in his power to return to form against his old team. While I refuse to go out on the limb again for the Eagles until they show me something, I do see Philly getting out this one with a much-needed win.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Sunday's game as part of my ongoing series for Doc's Sports Service where I use their Unit Betting System to assign a confidence value to my pick.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 8 vs. Falcons

NFC Top Three Matchups – Week 8 Handicapping Report

The Eagles are back in action this week after a much needed bye and made my list of the top three matchups in the NFC with the undefeated Atlanta Falcons coming to town for a Sunday afternoon showdown at the Linc. Andy Reid puts his 13-game winning streak coming off a bye week on the line in what could be this teams most important game of the season.

A loss could trigger a downward spiral that would end-up changing the entire face of the organization with a new head coach and possible new starting quarterback. A win could put the Eagles right back in the thick of the NFC East title race especially if the Giants lose to the Cowboys later that day.

Be sure to check back in later in the week for my complete preview and pick for Sunday's game, but for now, here is a link to my weekly preview of the top three matchups in the NFC this week in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.


NFC Top Three Matchups – Week 8 Handicapping Report

Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants Free Pick

It is a well-deserved week off for us tortured Eagles' fans as Andy Reid and Co. take some time during their bye to try and regroup for a presumably better performance over the next 10 games of the regular season.

It is far too early to give up on the Birds' chances to make a deep run into the playoffs that could end-up with a trip to New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII, but there a number of issues that need to be corrected on both sides of the ball. In the meantime, we can turn our attention to a huge NFC East matchup on Sunday's slate between the Washington Redskins and the New York. It is hard to know which team to root for in this matchup considering that the Redskins are currently tied with the Eagles at 3-3 while the Giants are 4-2 but already have two losses in the division.

My gut tells me that New York comes-out on top in this one, but my heart is with Washington to pull out the win. This is the best scenario to keep the division a jumbled-up mess. The following is a link to my preview and prediction for Sunday's game in an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book.


Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants Free Pick

NFC Top Three Matchups- Week 7 Handicapping Report

The Eagles' bye week could not have come at a better time after a brutal overtime loss to Detroit in a game that should have never been that close. While my prediction that this was going to be a breakout game for the Birds on both sides of the ball was not even close, this contest should have never ended-up in the loss column.

Turnovers once again reared their ugly head and the running game went nowhere against a Lions' team that came in ranked near the bottom of the league in stopping the run. The defense hardly laid a hand on Matthew Stafford and had trouble getting off the field on third down, but despite all of this, the Eagles still had a 10-point lead with a little more than five minutes left in the game.

The complete and utter collapse at the end of Sunday's game cost Juan Castillo his job as defensive coordinator and put everyone else on alert that nobody's job is safe right now. Andy Reid is officially in survival mode as he is fully aware that he will be sent packing if things do not change.

The Eagles now have an extra week to try and figure things out which is probably not nearly enough time considering everything that is currently wrong with this team. Reid is a perfect 13-0 in his tenure as head coach coming off a bye, but he knows it will take a lot more than a win next Sunday against Atlanta to get his team completely back on track. He also knows that a loss to the Falcons is liable to completely derail the entire train.

The following is this week's look at the top three matchups in the NFC through a link to an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book.

NFC Top Three Matchups- Week 7 Handicapping Report

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 6 vs. Lions

The main concern for every Eagles' fan this week heading into this Sunday's game against Detroit at the Linc is turnovers, more specifically Michael Vick turnovers. Anyone who has watched his first five games this season is well aware that he has had major problems taking care of the ball so far with six interceptions and five lost fumbles.

This fact alone makes it even more amazing that the Birds enter this game with a 3-2 record, but in all fairness to No.7, he has also led the team down the field on three game-winning drives and helped put it in position to beat the Steelers last Sunday.

There is a world of difference between heading into next week's bye with a 4-2 record verse being 3-3, so it becomes imperative that Vick and the Eagles take care of business as four-point home favorites and come away with a win on Sunday. Andy Reid is a perfect 13-0 following a bye week and despite that fact that Atlanta is next up on the slate, the Birds have a golden opportunity to put themselves in the NFC East driver seat heading into the second half of the season.

Earlier this year, I made a bold prediction that Philly would put it all together and hammer the Cardinals in Arizona and that turned into a complete disaster. This week I am going back out on a limb to predict that the Eagles will play their best game of the year on Sunday. The offense will once again find the end zone by grinding the ball down the field as well as getting there with a few big plays. The defense will make life miserable for Matthew Stafford and while the Lions will put some points on the board, for once we will not be forced to sit on the edge of our seats for all four quarters of a game.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Sunday's game as part of an ongoing series for Doc's Sports Service, where I assign a confidence level for my pick by using their Unit Betting System.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 6 vs. Lions

NFC Top Three Matchups – Week 6 Handicapping Report

After playing three AFC North teams in the first five weeks, the Eagles return home this Sunday to square-off against the Detroit Lions in one of the few NFC matchups on this week's schedule.

This game is almost a must-win for the Lions who are coming off a bye after a 1-3 start. Their offense has been able to move the ball and put an average of 25 points a game on the board, but Detroit's defense has been torched for a total of 91 points in its last three games.

We all know what the story is with the Eagles as once again a Michael Vick turnover heading into the end zone in the first half of last Sunday's game in Pittsburgh proved to be far more costly than some of his 10 other turnovers this season. Give Vick credit for also leading three touchdown drives late in the fourth quarter that proved to be game winners and engineering a late drive last Sunday that gave the Birds a one-point lead with just a few minutes left on the clock. I look for a complete effort from Vick and the entire offense this Sunday in a game that finally does not have us on the edge of our seats until the final gun.

Below is a link to my look at the top three matchups in the NFC this week in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.

Check back at the end of the week for my complete preview and prediction for Sunday's Eagles game at the Linc.


NFC Top Three Matchups – Week 6 Handicapping Report

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 5 vs. Steelers

This week, bragging rights for the great state of Pennsylvania are on the line with the Eagles taking the turnpike west to Heinz Field in Pittsburgh to square-off against the Steelers. Right now, they are three-point underdogs for Sunday's showdown which is to be expected playing a quality team on the road.

What makes this game so hard to handicap is all the current variables surrounding both of these teams. The Eagles are 3-1 but have won three games by a combined four points. They have looked dominant on particular drives, but overall consistency is still a major issue. One thing that is for sure; to have any chance to win on Sunday, the Birds have to continue to protect the ball like they did last Sunday night against the Giants.

Pittsburgh is off to a 1-2 start with losses on the road to Denver and Oakland wrapped around a home victory over the Jets. The two main things in the Steelers favor this week besides playing this game in front of the home-town fans, is that they are coming off a bye and getting some key personnel back into the starting lineup. How effective Rashard Mendenhall will be running the ball after coming off a torn ACL remains to be seen, but given that Pittsburgh is ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing he will be a welcomed sight in the backfield. James Harrison and Troy Polamalu are expected to be back on the defensive side of the ball which could provide some added problems if these guys can play to form.

The bottom line is that these two factors tip the scales slightly in the Steelers' favor for Sunday's showdown in what should be a very close game. Given the Eagles recent performance in tight matchups that could exactly what they are counting on.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for this game as part of my ongoing series for Doc's Sports Services utilizing their Unit Betting System. In essence, this system assigns a confidence value to my pick.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 5 vs. Steelers

NFC Top Three Matchups – Week 5 Handicapping Report

The Eagles play their third game of the season against the AFC North with a trip west on the PA Turnpike to square-off against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field this Sunday afternoon in a battle for state bragging rights.

The Birds put themselves in great position at the quarter pole of this season's NFC East title race with a 19-17 victory over the Giants this past Sunday night, but since they are playing a team from the AFC this Sunday, I want to focus my energy for this post on a few of the other key matchups in the NFC for Week 5 of the regular season.

The following is a link to this week's article on the top three matchups in the NFC as originally posted on Bang the Book.



NFC Top Three Matchups – Week 5 Handicapping Report

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 4 vs. Giants

It is hard to believe that the new NFL regular season is entering just its fourth week and the Eagles are aleady at a crossroads in Sunday night's game against the Giants, but to me that clearly seems to be the case.

Last year, the Birds opened-up with a pretty routine win over St. Louis and then dropped a 35-31 shootout against Atlanta on the road. They came into the following game as nine-point favorites at home against New York and got their doors blown off in a 29-16 loss. Things went from bad to worse with losses to San Francisco and Buffalo and suddenly the whole season was lost.

I do not know about you, but last Sunday's debacle in the desert shook my confidence in this year's Eagles to the core. Suddenly their offensive line has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese and the defensive secondary is once again a liability with the kind of talent that should make it a strength.

This week's game against the Giants will go a long way towards proving one of two things; either the first three weeks were just an anomaly of the true talent and ability of this team or we are on the brink of watching another dream team turn into a nightmare.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Sunday night's game as part of my ongoing series for Doc's Sports Services where I use their Unit Betting System to put a confidence value on my pick.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 4 vs. Giants

NFC Top Three Matchups- Week 4 Handicapping Report

Every week I take a detailed look at the top three matchups in the NFC as way to get ready for this Sunday's games. At the top of this week's list is Sunday night's Giants vs. Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field.

Last week I went way out on a limb with a 4-Unit play on the Birds and we all know how that worked out. When I handicapped that matchup, I focused more on the Eagles potential as opposed to their current form. After turning the ball over nine times in the first two games, I just assumed they would do a much better job against Arizona. While Philly looked horrible in the first half, it was still just one play away from grabbing all the momentum with a late score in the first half. Instead, another crushing turnover by Michael Vick turned a very managable 17-7 deficit at the half into a 24-0 hole that this team had no chance of climbing out of.

For this Sunday night's game, you have to take into consideration the current form of both teams which does not paint of pretty picture for the Eagles' chances to come away with a win. Remember back to last September when Philadelphia was a nine-point favorite at home against New York in late September and it got spanked 29-16. That loss marked the beginning of the end for the 2011 season. Unfortunately, I have that sinking feeling that we might be headed down that same road again.

The following is a link to Week 4's top three NFC matchups in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.

NFC Top Three Matchups- Week 4 Handicapping Report

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 3 vs. Cardinals

With a Sunday night showdown against the Giants and a trip cross-state to Heinz Field to face the Steelers looming on the Eagles schedule in the next two weeks, this Sunday's battle of the birds in the Arizona desert is almost a must win.

After two thrilling one-point victories over Cleveland and Baltimore, the Eagles have an excellent shot at starting the season at 3-0 for the first time in a decade. However,they will never get there if they continue turn the ball over at an alarming rate of 4.5 times a game while committing an average of 14 penalties a game as well. I am content to take those first two wins and run, but the real Eagles we all know and love need to show up over the next three weeks in order to avoid things going south in a hurry.

That all starts this Sunday with much more consistent performance from Michael Vick, who finally decides to show up for all four quarters and not just the last two minutes of the game. The offensive linemen will also start keeping their hands to themselves and the defensive backs will stop draping themselves all over the opposition's wide receivers more than five yards down the field.

My bold prediction for this week is that it all finally comes together for the Eagles as they show the Cardinals as well as the rest of the league that they are a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball with a victory that was never in doubt.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Sunday's game as part of my ongoing series for Doc's Sports Service.


Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 3 vs. Cardinals

New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers Thursday Night Football Preview & Precition

The New York Giants are back in action tonight in a Week 3 Thursday Night Football prime time tilt against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. This matchup should privide an excellent chance to gauge how well the Giants' defense does containing a mobile quarterback in preperation for the Eagles' Week 4 clash against their NFC East foes on Sunday Night Football.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for tonight's game in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book


New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers Preview & Prediction

NFC Top Three Matchups- Week 3 Handicapping Report

Each and every week I put together a handicapping report for Bang the Book covering the top three matchups in the NFC. While I stop short of actually making a pick, the information contained in the article often times paints a very clear picture as to which team should come out on top against the spread.

The following is a link that will take you directly to this week's top matchups.

NFC Top Three Matchups- Week 3 Handicapping Report

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 2 vs. Ravens

It is only Week 2 of the 2012 NFL regular season and the Eagles already face a watershed game in their home opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Last week's escape against Cleveland raised far more questions with this year's Birds than it answered. They completely outplayed the Browns on paper but once again turnovers and penalties proved costly in a 17-16 squeaker in a game they were favored to win by nine points on the road,

It took a last minute drive to get by a team it should have beaten by three touchdowns. While most of the blame fell on Michael Vick's shoulders, and rightly so, the entire team continued to shoot itself in the foot much in the same way it did all last season and well all remember how that turned out.

Sunday afternoon can go one of two ways; really good or really bad. The really good route would be a win over a team that everyone is crowning as the best in the AFC based on a 44-13 beatdown of Cincinnati on Monday night. Even if the Eagles lose this game but keep it close to the end would be a moral victory. Really bad would be a blowout in front of the home-town crowd. If Philly plays the way it did last week things will get ugly fast with the bleachers clearing out by the end of the third quarter.

I am going with option one for Sunday's game. I actually have the Birds coming-up just short against a very balanced Ravens team as they are probably still a week or two from returning to peak form. If I am right, there should be no head-hanging as long as they play to their ability. My heart is obviously pulling for the win, which would make the Browns' game a distant memory and send the Birds soaring to the top of the ranks in the NFL. That is just the way it works in this league.

The following is a link to my complete breakdown of Sunday's game in an article that was originally posted on Doc's Sports Service as part of my ongoing series that provides a preview and pick for every Eagles game this season utilizing their Unit Betting System.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 2 vs. Ravens

Thursday Night Football-Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers

The NFL Network kicks off an entire season of Thursday Night Football with a classic NFC North showdown between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. The Bears clobbered the Indianapolis Colts 41-21 on opening day and is now in position to go two games up on the Packers in light of Green Bay's 30-22 opening-day loss to San Francisco at home.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Thursday night's game in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book. Be sure to check back later in the week for my preview and pick for this Sunday's home opener at Lincoln Financial Field between the Ravens and the Eagles.


Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers Week 2 Preview & Prediction

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 1 vs. Browns

When the Eagles take the field this Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium it will either be the start of something big or Andy Reid's swan song with a team he has coached since the late 90's. Only Jeffery Lurie knows for sure what level of success it will take for Reid to keep his job, but he has gone out of his way to put the winningest coach in franchise history officially on the 'hot seat' before his team's first snap of the new season.

Lurie's attitude is more than justified but, in a very Jerry Jones-like fashion, it was just plain stupid to make his feelings public. Reid is well aware of the situation and would be the first to tell you that last season's performance in light of the overall talent on this team was unacceptable. He has also been down this road before and has always been able to get his team to respond with a much better performance the following season. Throw in a couple of years when he squeezed a hell of a lot more out of a sub-par team and it all adds up to a pretty damn good job over the past 13 years.

This year's whole shooting match starts with the Birds heading into Cleveland as nine-point favorites. This means that things could get hairy right off the bat if this game is not a blow-out. A close win would raise a yellow flag while a loss would be devastating. Not to worry, this game will not be close, primarily because of the Eagles' defense, which is ready to fly.

The following is a link to my complete preview of Sunday's game in an article that was originally posted on Doc's Sports Service along with a pick that utilizes their specialized 'Unit Betting System'.


Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Week 1 vs. Browns

NFL Betting Trends- Updated Super Bowl Odds

Last year at this time the Eagles were one of the top favorites to not only win the NFC but the Super Bowl as well. Jeff Lurie went on a multi-million dollar spending spree to bring in some of the top free agents on the market that offseason in hopes of providing the missing pieces for a championship run. Well we all know how that turned out.

This season, the Birds are once again near the top of the list to finally break through and win it all, but Eagles Nation is not jumping in line to drink the Kool-Aid just yet. There is a certain cautious optimism surrounding this year's team, but I do not think anyone is completely sold on the vision of Lurie and Andy Reid hugging it out while holding up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XLVII. If the Eagles reel off five or six straight wins to start the season things might change, but lets just get by Cleveland this Sunday to start.

While I have yet to make an official pick, I honestly believe that Philly will make it back to the NFC Championship Game (which is hopefully good enough to keep Reid around for a few more years) but unfortunately that game is going to be played in Green Bay. I cannot see the Packers losing at home in the playoffs two years in-a-row. I am not giving up hope of a Super Bowl run, but I am also not booking any flights to New Orleans in early February either.

The following is a link to an updated look at a few teams whose stock is on the rise and a few in decline in terms of the current odds to win the Super Bowl this season. It was originally posted on Bang the Book.



NFL Betting Trends- Updated Super Bowl Odds

NFL Week 1 Picks- Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

The 2012 NFL regular season kicks off this week and while we will have to wait until Sunday afternoon to watch the Birds take the field against Cleveland in their season opener, this Wednesday night the Dallas Cowboys will pay a visit to MetLife Stadium to square off against the New York Giants in a crucial early season NFC East showdown.

I like the Giants in this one, but this will a hard-fought, low-scoring battle until the bitter end. Both team's offense sputtered in the preseason and could take a few games to completely shake off all the rust, so look for defense to dominate this game.

Injuries have also been an issue for each team with a number of key players such as wide receiver Hakeem Nicks for New York and tight end Jason Witten for Dallas most likely out of the starting lineup for Wednesday night.

The following is a link to a closer look at this matchup along with my pick for the game in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.

Check back later in the week for my complete preview of Sunday's Eagles vs. Browns game, but for now we will have to be content with watching the Cowboys and Giants beat-up on each other on Wednesday night.

NFL Week 1 Picks- Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

2012 NFC East Odds & Preview

The 2012 NFL regular season kicks off this Wednesday night with a classic NFC East showdown between the Cowboys and the Giants making it the perfect time to wrap-up my divisional previews with a look at the NFC East as a whole.

Lately it seems that there is always something hanging over the Eagles' heads going into a new season. Last year it was the whole 'Dream Team' fiasco coupled with a disgruntled DeSean Jackson crying about his salary. This year it is the team owner Jeffery Lurie giving long-time head coach Andy Reid a very public win-or-else ultimatum just days before the season opener against Cleveland. Reid is well aware that given the overall talent he has on this team that an 8-8 record is unacceptable. He does not need the added pressure of being placed on the hot seat before the Birds even get out of the gate.

Personally, I think it is much to do about nothing as one thing Reid is extremely capable of doing is blocking out the outside world when it comes to doing his job. Fortunately for Andy and for Eagles' fans, he will be back next season after Philly notches the NFC East title with an 11-5 record and makes a deep run all the way to a sixth NFC Championship Game during his tenure.

The New York Giants will suffer from a bit of a Super Bowl hangover but still play well enough to match last season's record of 9-7. What they will not match is a dramatic run in the postseason as it will be one and done in the playoffs this time around.

Another team facing the potential wrath of its owner is the Dallas Cowboys. If the Cowboys miss the playoffs again this season, I could easily see Jerry Jones blow the whole thing up with wholesale changes. This year will be a true test to see how head coach Jason Garrett and quarterback Tony Romo hold up to the pressure. Dallas will win its share of games but in the end the result will be the same; an 8-8 record and a ticket to another early offseason.

Lurking in the shadows is the Washington Redskins with first-round pick Robert Griffin III in place as the team's new franchise quarterback. This guy is going to be fun to watch but he might just become a one-man show on an offense that is devoid of any other players that can match his level of play. The Redskins' defense will once again keep them in most of the games they play. This all adds up to a slightly better record of 6-10 this year.

The following is a link to my preview of the NFC East in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.

2012 NFC East Odds & Preview

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 4 vs. Jets

The Eagles close-out the preseason this Thursday night at home against the New York Jets with a chance to go a perfect 4-0. Do not expect to see any of the Philly starters on the field as Andy Reid reserves this game as one final audition to fill-out the few spots left on his 53-man roster.

There are a couple of player battles raging-on especially on the defensive side of the ball and how they play against the Jets will give Reid one last opportunity to decide who stays and who goes. Another intriguing aspect of Thursday night's game will be the play of quarterback Nick Foles. The third-round pick has captured the imagination of the city with his unexpected play in place of a slightly nicked-up Michael Vick. Once thought of as a longshot to even make the team, the rookie from Arizona has worked his way to No.2 on depth chart. Foles is expected to play the first quarter against New York with Trent Edwards playing the final three.

Everyone is well aware that the chance that Vick starts all 16 regular-season games this season is probably slim at best. This means that Foles will need to step-in somewhere along the line when the bullets are flying around for real. The scary thought here is that his ability to play at the same level that he has played at in the preseason could ultimately determine how far the Eagles go this season.

The following is a link to my complete preview of Thursday night's game in an article that was previously posted on Doc's Sports Service as part of an ongoing series that will cover every Eagles' game this season.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 4 vs. Jets

2012 NFC North Odds & Preview

Our preview of every division in the NFL for the upcoming season takes us to the NFC North for the latest installment. The Green Bay Packers are prohibitive favorites to win the title again this season after posting a NFL-best 15-1 record in 2011.

The Packers remain basically intact from last year's squad so it is easy to see why they are such heavy favorites. One of the problems for Green Bay could be living-up to such high expectations but another one is the Chicago Bears. If all of the talent on the Bear's offense plays to its ability and Brian Urlacher can get back on the field on defense, the NFC North race will be much closer than expected.

Detroit is in prime position for a major step backwards after last year's run to a wildcard spot in the playoffs as a result of a number of off-field issues involving some high-profile players. Minnesota hopes to have Adrian Peterson back on the field for the start of the regular season but there are still way too many holes on both sides of the ball for the Vikings to seriously compete for the division title this year.

The following is a link to my complete preview of the NFC North in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.

2012 NFC North Odds & Preview

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 3 vs. Cleveland

It is Week 3 of the NFL preseason and in a unique twist of scheduling the Eagles play the Cleveland Browns this Friday night which just so happens to be the same team they will face on opening day of the regular season.

All that means is that this week's game will be as vanilla as it gets. Andy Reid decided to stage his team's final dress rehearsal this past Monday night and the reviews were mixed. We will probably have no idea what expect from Michael Vick until the team's second game against the Browns after he bruised his ribs early in the first quarter against the Patriots. Reid cannot be thrilled with the 16 penalties his team committed on Monday night with a few extending New England drives that resulted in scores.

The positive take-away was the play of rookie quarterback Nick Foles and the Eagles' defensive front seven as a whole. For the second week in a row, Foles was able to move the offense down the field while staying poised in the pocket. He is clearly a solid prospect to fill the role of 'quarterback of the future' but with the way things are going for Vick so far, the future may very shortly be now.

For the first time since the Birds lost Jim Johnson and waived Brian Dawkins, I am actually excited about the defense. It is loaded up front with guys that can not only get after the quarterback but stuff the run as well. The addition of DeMeco Ryans through a trade with Houston and Mychal Kendricks through the draft appears to have finally addressed the team's persistent problems at linebacker and Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie finally look comfortable in the secondary.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Friday night's game in an article that was previously posted on Doc's Sports Service as part as my ongoing series covering every Eagles' game this season.

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 3 vs. Cleveland

2012 NFC South Odds & Preview

The NFL just wrapped-up Week 3 of the preseason with the Eagles 27-17 victory over New England on Monday night and the countdown to opening day is on. To get you ready for the regular season we have been previewing every division in the league.

The next stop on the list is the NFC South. Conventional wisdom tells you that this division is still the Saints to lose despite all the off-field distractions, but in reality that may not be the case. Atlanta is more than capable of out-dueling New Orleans for the title, but the biggest sleeper could be Carolina. If Cam Newton continues to develop at quarterback and the Panthers tighten things up on defense, they should be right in the mix all season long.

The following is a link to my complete preview of the NFC South in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.

2012 NFC South Odds & Preview

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 2 vs. Patriots

It is Week 2 of the NFL preseason and the Eagles are headed to Foxborough to tangle with the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. The Birds won bragging rights in the state of Pennsylvania last week against Pittsburgh by virtue of a last second field goal that lifted them to a 24-23 win, but their first team was clearly outplayed on both sides of the ball, falling behind 13-0 at the half.

Monday night's game now becomes a key test to see just how close to regular-season form this team is. It will have to keep things very vanilla next Friday night against Cleveland considering that the Eagles open the regular season against the Browns so this game becomes the final dress rehearsal for the starters as they should probably play into the second half. Michael Vick will be under the gun to move the offense after throwing for just six yards against the Steelers and the Eagles' first-team defense will get a chance to show what they can do against one of the most potent offenses in the league.

The following is a link to my complete preview and prediction for Monday night's game in an article that was originally posted on Doc's Sports Service.


Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 2 vs. Patriots

NFL Week 2 Preseason Preview- NY Giants vs. NY Jets

In the first of a Saturday night double-header of NFL preseason games on the NFL Network the New York Giants tangle with their co-tenants at MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets in a battle for bragging rights in the Big Apple.

Considering that the Giants are coming off an amazing run to another Super Bowl title and the Jets finished 8-8 last season, I think we all know which team is New York's finest, but if the Jets come away with the win tonight, it would give them a very small leg up towards claiming that title this season.

The following is a link to my preview and prediction for tonight's game in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.

NFL Week 2 Preseason Preview- NY Giants vs. NY Jets

2012 NFC West Odds & Preview

The divisional previews for the AFC are in the book so it is time to turn our attention to the NFC starting with the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers have established themselves as overwhelming favorites to win the division again this year after a 13-3 regular season record and run all the way to the NFC Championship Game in 2011.

The gap in the NFC West may not be as wide as some of the football experts would lead you to believe. The 49ers are certainly the most overall talented team in the division, but they are not going to sneak up on anybody this season and it is highly doubtful they will be able to generate the 38 turnovers they did last year.

The following is a link to my complete preview of all the teams in the NFC West in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book



2012 NFC West Odds & Preview

2012 AFC West Odds and Prediction

Today we wrap-up our 2012 NFL divisional previews for the AFC with a look at the wild,wild, West. With Peyton Manning the new sheriff in town in Denver, the Broncos have been opened as the odds-on-favorites to win the division, but all three other teams are more than capable of making a run at the title.

The following is a link to my complete preview of the AFC West for this season in an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book

2012 AFC West Odds and Prediction

2012 AFC South Odds and Prediction

In our continuing preview of every division in the NFL for the upcoming season, it is time to move onto the AFC South.

The Colts' dramatic fall from grace opened the door for Houston last season and the Texans remain a prohibitive favorite to win the South again this season. It is hard to argue against the Texans locking-up this division by Thanksgiving, but do not tell that to Tennessee, which is the only other legitimate contender in this two horse race.

The following is a link to my complete preview of the AFC South in an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book

2012 AFC South Odds and Prediction

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 1 vs. Steelers

EaglesLincs is proud to announce that we have teamed up with Doc's Sports Service to bring you a complete preview and prediction for every Eagles game this season starting with Thursday night's Week 1 preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This ongoing series will aim to provide an in-depth analysis of each game while digging a bit deeper into the facts and figures that should have a direct impact on the final outcome of the game.

This will not be one of my typical homer pieces were I have the Birds winning week-in and week-out, rather an honest assessment of each week's matchup and a prediction based on the information as it presents itself.

I will post an introduction to each preview on this site and provide a direct link to the actual article as originally posted on Doc's Sports.

Below is a link to this Thursday night's game

Weekly Philadelphia Eagles Betting Picks: Preseason Week 1 vs. Steelers

2012 AFC North Odds & Prediction

The next NFL division we want to focus in as part of an on-going series is the AFC North. This division has been dominated by Pittsburgh and Baltimore in recent years but do not forget that Cincinnati actually won the North in 2009 and made it into the playoffs last season as a wildcard.

The Bengals are more than capable of making this a three-way race again this season, but my team to watch is the Steelers. I actually like this team to win the AFC this season as it is due for another deep run in the postseason.

The following is a link to my complete preview for all four teams in the AFC North in an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book


2012 AFC North Odds & Prediction

2012 AFC East Odds & Prediction

Training camp is underway for all 32 NFL teams and the start of the preseason is right around the corner with next Sunday's Hall of Fame Game. Starting in the AFC with the East, I will be posting my preview and predictions for all eight NFL Divisions over the next few weeks, saving the best for last with a much more detailed look at the NFC East.

The following is a link to my preview for the AFC East that was previously posted on Bang the Book.

2012 AFC East Odds & Prediction

NFL 2012 Player Props – Most Rushing Yards

Eagles' running back LeSean McCoy had a break-through season in 2011 with 1,309 yards rushing which was the fourth-most in the NFL. He comes into this season as one of Sportsbook's top-five favorites to claim this year's NFL rushing title.

My personal opinion is that Andy Reid realizes he overused McCoy last season running the ball with 273 carries. Expect him to temper this number a bit this year in an effort to preserve his All-Pro back's health.

McCoy is a huge threat catching the ball out of the backfield and the perfect back to execute the Eagles heavily used screen game, so while his rushing yards will probably go down, look for the three-year veteran's receiving stats to clolsey resemble the 78 catches for 592 yards that he posted in 2010.

The following is a closer look at a few of the other contenders to win this season's NFL rushing title in an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book.

NFL 2012 Player Props – Most Rushing Yards

NFL 2012 Player Props – Most Passing Yards

Before the start of every NFL season many of the sportsbooks in the gaming industry will offer wagering odds for a number of team and individual player propositions otherwise known as 'prop bets'.

The first one of these props that we want to take a more in-depth look at is which quarterback will throw for the most yards in the regular season. Last year, New Orleans Saints' signal-caller Drew Brees not only passed for the most yards with 5,476, he broke Dan Marino's previous single-season record of 5,084. The amazing thing about last season is that New England's Tom Brady threw for 5,235 yards and the Lions' Matthew Stafford put-up 5,038 passing yards to finish second and third.

The following is a link to an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book that takes a closer look at a few of the contenders to claim top honors this season along with their current odds as provided by Sportsbook.ag

NFL 2012 Player Props – Most Passing Yards

NFC 2012 Win Totals Preview and Predictions

Last week we took a closer look at the projected win totals for the AFC for the 2012 regular season so now it is time to turn our attention to the real heart of the matter; the NFC.

The Green Bay Packers have been opened as 13/2 favorites along with New England to win Super Bowl XLVII and 10/3 favorites to win the NFC. Their projected win total for the season is 12 games. With probably the best quarterback in the NFL along with a wealth of supporting talent on both sides of the ball, it would be hard to make a case against the Packers winning 13 or 14 games as well as the conference and Super Bowl. Throw in the motivation factor after last season's disappointing loss to New York at home in the Divisional Round of the playoffs after finishing the regular season 15-1 and you have all the makings of another championship run for Green Bay.

Lurking in the wings are our beloved birds. The Eagles have the second-highest projected win total in the NFC at 10.5. Last year I predicted a 12-4 finish and was way off base but I am sticking my neck out again this year with a prediction of at least 11 wins. This team fully realizes that it has not lived up to its potential and that all the pieces are in place for a championship run of its own.

Much of Philly's chances will hinge on Michael Vick's ability to return to the form that earned him the starting role (and fat contract) in the first place. Part of that form includes taking much better care of the ball as well as taking care of his health. Vick has to realize he is no use to the team if he is not in the starting line-up.

The other key factor to an 11+ win season is a much more consistent defense. Juan Castillo took the brunt of the heat last season as a first-year inexperienced defensive coordinator and for good reason. This unit had all the talent it needed but it lacked leadership and a true sense of team work. The fact that they have had an entire offseason to work out the bugs should ultimately produce a much more cohesive and effective product on the field. Do not be surprised if the defense ends up carrying this team over a few rough spots during the year.

The following is a link to an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book that covers all 16 NFC team's projected win total for this season along with my 'over' or 'under' prediction.


2012 NFC Wins Totals Preview and Predictions

AFC 2012 Win Totals Previews and Predictions

As expected, the New England Patriots have the highest projected win total in the AFC for the 2012 season at 12.5. This stands to reason considering they are a prohibitive -500 favorite to win the AFC East and a solid +200 favorite to win the conference.

I believe that the Patriots are going to win their division although at their current odds it is not worth the risk to wager on it. I also have some issues with their odds to win the AFC given the simple fact that the last team that lost a Super Bowl one season and made it back to the Super Bowl the next year was all the way back in 1994, when the Buffalo Bills made four straight trips to the title game but failed to come away with a single win.

The following is a link to an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book that takes a look at the projected win total for all 16 teams in the AFC along with my prediction on the 'over/under' for each one.


AFC 2012 Win Totals Previews and Predictions

2012 Highest and Lowest Season Win Totals

A few of the sportsbooks in the gaming industry have already released their odds for this season's projected win totals for all 32 NFL teams. The general consensus for the Eagles is 'over' or 'under' 10.5 wins which directly coincides with their +110 odds to win the NFC East this season.

The projected win totals for the rest of the division have the Giants and Cowboys at 8.5 and the Redskins at six. The odds for New York and Dallas to win the division are each at +225 and Washington is the longshot at +1000.

I will be taking a much closer look at both the win totals and future odds for the entire NFC and in particular the NFC East over the coming weeks. For right now, I have focused my attention on the teams at the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of which ones have the highest projected win totals in the NFL and which ones are expected to bring up the rear in 2012.

The following is a link to an article that was previously posted on Bang the Book

2012 Highest and Lowest Season Win Totals

CFL Grey Cup Futures Odds and Predictions

The start of this year's NFL regular season is still over two months away, but if you are looking for an immediate fix for your offseason football blues then check out my preview for the Canadian Football League's 2012 season.

The CFL kicks-off its 18-game regular season next Friday night with the Saskatchewan Roughriders squaring-off against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers traveling to British Columbia to face Lions, who begin defense of their 2011 Grey Cup title. Canada Day Kickoff weekend wraps up with the Toronto Argonauts visiting the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday and the Montreal Alouettes playing the Calgary Stampeders on Sunday.

This preview was originally posted on Doc's Sports Service earlier this week.

CFL Grey Cup Futures Odds and Predictions

Top 2011 NFL Money Makers on the Total Line

For anyone who enjoys wagering on the NFL, one of the best ways to enhance your overall return on investment is to place a few timely wagers on the total line.

If you become a student of the game and spend some time analyzing past trends when it comes to team's performance in terms of the 'over/under' on the total line, you can often capitalize on this information by using it for any future wagers.

The following is a look back at last seasons top money makers on the total line in a link to an article that was originally posted on Bang the Book.


Top 2011 NFL Money Makers on the Total Line

NFL’s Top ATS Money Makers since 2009

A team's success in any given season is determined by their straight-up win/loss record, but if you are the type of person that enjoys wagering on the games you are much more concerned about a team's record against the spread.

Last season the Eagles won as many as the lost both SU and ATS to end up 8-8 both ways. Going back to the 2009 season, the Birds finished-up 11-5 SU but were less successful ATS with a 9-7 record. In 2010 the gap was even wider with a 10-6 SU record to go along with a 7-9 record ATS.

The following is a link to a detailed look at which teams have provided the best return on investment over the past three seasons in terms of covering the spread in their games. This article was originally posted on Bang the Book.


NFL’s Top ATS Money Makers since 2009

AFC Divisional Futures Odds Update

A few weeks back I took a look at the odds for the four divisional races in the NFC. This week I turn my attention to the AFC to take a closer look at the odds for all 16 teams in respect to their chance to end-up on top of their division in 2012.

The New England Patriots are not only favored to win the AFC East but the overall conference as well. This should come as no big surprise considering that they have been perennial favorites in the AFC for the better part of the last decade. While the Patriots will most likely work their way to the top of their division, resist the temptation to wager on them winning the AFC. The last time a team lost the Super Bowl and made it back the following season was the Buffalo Bills in 1994.

The following is a link to my entire preview of the AFC as originally posted on Bang the Book

2012 AFC Divisional Futures Update

NFC Divisional Futures Odds Update

Sportsbook.ag recently released odds for all 32 NFL teams in terms of their chance to win their division this season. The good news is that the Eagles have been opened as +140 favorites to win the NFC East. The bad news is that we went down this road last season and we all know how that worked out.

The other good news this week is that running back LeSean McCoy agreed to a long-term contract extension that will keep him in green for at least five more seasons. This also means that heading into this season, the Birds have their top-three offensive weapons (McCoy, Michael Vick, and DeSean Jackson) all fat and happy in the wallet.

The following is link to a quick synopsis of the NFC divisional 'futures' odds as originally posted on Bang the Book. Be sure to check back next week, when I take a look at the odds for the AFC.


NFC Divisional Futures Odds Update

NFL Super Bowl XLVII Futures Update

A week after the New York Giants knocked-off the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI Bovada opened the Eagles at 14/1 odds to win it all this season with five other teams having lower odds. After two full months of free agency and last month's college draft, the Birds remain right where they started as the sixth-favorite at 14/1 to finally bring home a Super Bowl title to a city that is starved for a championship. Overall, Philadelphia has done a good job at filling some holes on both sides of the ball with its offseason acquisitions, but it will still need to prove that even with a roster filled with a ton of individual talent that it can play and win as a team over the entire course of a 17-week regular season.

Green Bay remains the odds-on-favorite to come out of the NFC and New England remains the favorite to win the AFC. The Packers have a slight edge at 13/2 to win it all with New England at 8/1 to snap a two-game losing streak in the Super Bowl. The following is a link to a look at which team's stock is rising in the eyes of the betting public and which teams are headed in the wrong direction over the past three months in terms of its 'futures' odds. This article was originally posted on Bang the Book.


NFL Super Bowl XLVII Futures Update

Philadelphia Eagles 2012 Draft Picks

With the 22nd pick in the seventh round(229th overall) the Philadelphia Eagles wrapped-up their 2012 NFL Draft and added what they hope would be the last few remaining pieces for a Super Bowl run next season.

Some players, such as defensive tackle Fletcher Cox out of Mississippi State and inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks from California, will be expected to play a major role right out of the gate, while others such as Arizona quarterback Nick Foles and wide receiver Marvin McNutt were selected to add depth at their position.

All-in-all, it was a very productive three days for the Birds as they appear to have successfully addressed some of their more pressing needs with their nine overall picks. The following is a round-by-round recap of each selection:



Rd 1, Pick 12 (12)

Cox, Fletcher DT



Rd 2, Pick 14 (46)

Kendricks, Mychal ILB



Rd 2, Pick 27 (59)

Curry, Vinny DE



Rd 3, Pick 25 (88)

Foles, Nick QB



Rd 4, Pick 28 (123)

Boykin, Brandon CB



Rd 5, Pick 18 (153)

Kelly, Dennis OT



Rd 6, Pick 24 (194)

McNutt, Marvin WR



Rd 6, Pick 30 (200)

Washington, Brandon OG



Rd 7, Pick 22 (229)

Brown, Bryce RB

The Eagles dive down to get their man

Heading into this year's draft, the Eagles made it very clear that adding a run-stopper to their defensive line was one of their top priorities. They had targeted Mississippi defensive tackle Fletcher Cox as the perfect player to fill that need, but the problem was that he was a top-10 prospect and they were picking 15th in the first round.

That did not stop Andy Reid, who is like a big kid in a candy shop when it comes to drafting lineman, from convincing the Philadelphia brain-trust to trade-up for Cox after he was still on the board when Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe went to Kansas City with the 11th overall pick. The Eagles jumped at the chance to part with a fourth and sixth-round pick to swap first-round picks with Seattle to get their man.

The general consensus from the majority of the football experts applaud this move as a great coup for Philadelphia, but excuse us fans if we remain a bit skeptical; given the Birds' past track record with first-round lineman on either side of the ball.

The following is my recap of the entire first round of the 2012 NFL Draft as original posted on Bang the Book


2012 NFL Draft- First Round Round-Up

NFL 2012 Draft Update- Top Running Backs

This year's NFL draft is less than a week away with the first round kicking-off on Thursday night. The second and third rounds will be conducted on Friday night and the final four rounds will held on Saturday afternoon.

Most mock drafts still have the Eagles taking a defensive lineman with the 15th overall pick in the draft. Look for the Birds to pull the trigger on Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, if he happens to still be available when they are officially on the clock. Right now it looks like Carolina may snag him with the the ninth pick so the next best available choice would be Michael Brockers from LSU. He is 6-foot-6 306 lbs and the premier run-stopper in this year's draft; racking-up 79 tackles in two seasons with the Tigers. He would certainly plug a major hole in the Eagles' defensive line and can be used to take some pressure of the linebackers and secondary, which has had their share of problems stopping the run in the past.

With LeSean McCoy coming off a Pro Bowl season, these is little chance that Philly would take a running back in the early rounds, but the following is a link to my preview of the top four backs available in this year's draft as originally posted on Bang the Book


NFL Betting Trends- Top Running Backs in this year's draft

NFL Betting Trends –2012 Draft Update

This year's NFL draft is less than three weeks away and all indications are that the Eagles have their eye on former Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox as their choice with the 15th overall selection. This pick would fit perfectly with Andy Reid's love of taking either a defensive or offensive lineman in the first round.

Ever since picking Donovan McNabb with the second overall pick in the 1999, the Birds have drafted a lineman in seven of the 10 drafts where they had a first-round pick (they traded away their first-round pick in 2007 and 2008 for extra picks in the later rounds). This strategy has been sketchy at best with a couple of questionable calls in defensive tackle's Corey Simon and Broderick Bunkley to some downright horrible picks in defensive end Jerome McDougle and tackle Shawn Andrews.

The jury is still out on 2010's first round pick, defensive end Brian Graham and 2011's pick, offensive guard Danny Watkins, but the early returns are not promising. This is not to say that Philly does not need help on both front sides of the ball, but there are more pressing needs at linebacker and safety. That is the problem when you have a head coach that not only has a lineman mentality, but is built like one too.

The following is a link to my recent draft update for the NFL in general as recently posted on Bang the Book.


NFL Betting Trends – Draft Update April 5

Eagles Offseason Update- March 31

The Eagles’ offensive line suffered a major setback this week when All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles’ heel while training in Texas. Right now it looks like he will miss the entire 2012 season, but can hopefully return to action in 2013.
The only good news about this devastating loss is that the team has ample time to try and fill this gaping hole in an offensive line that was not all that solid to begin with.

A couple of names that have popped-up as potential replacements are Marcus McNeil and Demetrius Bell. McNeil was a two-time Pro Bowler when he played for San Diego, but he has a history of neck injuries and ended-up on the Injured Reserve list last season after taking a vicious hit to the chin. If he is healthy, this could be an excellent fit as this guy is a regular road grader at 6-foot-7 and 336 lbs.

Bell was the other name that emerged as a possible candidate to take Peters’ place. He started over 30 games for Buffalo over the past three seasons and certainly has the credentials to plug the left side of the line at 6-foot-5 and 307 lbs. Pittsburgh was reportedly close to signing Bell, but given the Eagles’ sudden sense of urgency, they may decide to make a strong play for his services. As an immediate stop-gap, Philly resigned tackle King Dunlap to a one-year deal.

When it comes to the 2012 regular season schedule, we already know which teams the Eagles will play with the AFC Central and the NFC South on the slate along with games against Detroit and Arizona. Each team’s actual schedule will not be released until sometime next month, but the NFL did announce this week that the New York Giants would open the 2012 regular season hosting the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, September 5.

The following is a link to my article taking a closer look at this matchup as originally posted on Bang the Book earlier this wwek.


NFL Betting Trends- March 29th

NFL Betting Trends- Manning and Tebow Prop Bets

The big news out of the NFL this week revolved around a couple of high profile quarterbacks changing addresses for the 2012 season. The Peyton Manning Sweepstakes was won by Denver as the future 'hall of famer' decided to change horses from a Colt to a Bronco for the stretch run of his career. This move opened the door for Denver to seek a trade for Tim Tebow, who was the team's former starting QB. Many thought that Tebow would return to his home state of Florida as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the New York Jets stepped-in to add him to Rex Ryan's 'circus of the stars'.

Bovada Sportsbook wasted little time in posting odds for some proposition bets for both players. The following is a look at a few of the prop bets you can wager on for both Manning and Tebow as originally posted on Bang the Book.


NFL Betting Trends- Manning and Tebow Prop Bets

Philadelphia Eagles Free Agency- Week 1 Update

The Eagles were extremely quite in the opening few days of free agency this year as compared to last season's spending spree that snapped-up some of the biggest available players on the open market. The biggest news to come out of South Philly this week was the decision to re-sign wide receiver DeSean Jackson to a five-year deal worth an estimated $50 million after first deciding to use the team's 'franchise tag' to lock him up for next season.

I did not see this move coming as I figured that Andy Reid would want to test the waters for a year given Jackson's prima donna attitude. I guess he took a hard look at the big money that was getting thrown at some of the other premier receivers in the league this week and came to the conclusion it would be cheaper to sign Jackson to a long-term contract now as opposed to next year at this time.

A few other moves by the Birds this week included a four-year contract extension for defensive end Trent Cole and a new one-year deal for defensive tackle Antonio Dixon. They parted ways with center Jamaal Jackson and traded offensive lineman Winston Justice to Indianapolis. The Eagles also signed free agent offensive lineman Mike Gibson, who was originally drafted by Philadelphia in 2008, but signed off the team's practice squad by Seattle in 2009.

Any further moves over the next few weeks remain to be seen, but it is safe to say that Reid and Co. are taking a much more cautious approach to building this season's 'dream team' through the use of the free agent market.