Kansas City Chiefs (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS)
Week 3 NFL
Date/Time: Thursday, September 20, 2013 at 8:25PM EST
Where: Lincoln Financial Field
TV: NFL Network
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: KC +3/PHIL -3
Over/Under Total: 50.5
Bet your Chiefs/Eagles pick at an online sportsbook where you only have to lay -105 on sides and totals, not -110 like your expensive bookie is socking you: 5Dimes.
On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs head east to face the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, with former Eagles’ coach Andy Reid returning to city where he was their head coach for 14 years until taking the Chiefs job this season. His impact has been felt immediately, with the Chiefs winning their first two games. The Eagles are 1-1 and coming off a tough home loss to the Chargers.
Only the early receipts are in, but hats off to the Chiefs for hitting the ground running with a new head coach, a new quarterback and system, and coming off a two-win season. Alex Smith has delivered on what he represented coming in--a prudent field general that while not knocking your socks off, will rarely make mistakes that give away the game. Kansas City has yet to turn the ball over this season. In 2 games, the defense has given up 18 points. They are a tough unit that looks to have taken several steps forward in all areas of play.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be so hard on the Eagles for a home loss to the Chargers on Sunday. They were big favorites and underperformed, but San Diego is a team that can jump up and surprise you. The Eagles weren’t quite the finely-tuned offensive machine they were in week one, but Michael Vick went for a career-high 428 yards in the air, with DeSean Jackson catching 9 balls for 193 yards, and RB LeSean McCoy even having over 100 yards receiving with 53 more on the ground.
One worrisome element for the Eagles is a defense that has been leaky since the second half against Washington. With that quick-strike offense, the defense is going to be on the field a lot. Philly just isn’t going to win the time of possession battle, which puts a lot of pressure on the defense. Sure, a quick-scoring offense puts a ton of pressure on the opposing team, but a lot is going to be asked of this Philly defense this season and so far the reviews are mixed. If this Eagles’ “D” starts getting weary, look for the surgical Alex Smith to have some success, with Jamaal Charles in tow.
Philly’s “D” gave up over 400 yards in the air to Rivers and 539 total yards against San Diego on Sunday. At no time during the game did they appear to be stout. They couldn’t stop Washington in the second half in the opening week and it’s now become a mounting concern. Look, they’re better off than they were last year. This Eagles’ offense is the real deal. But if this team is going to undergo a major sudden turnaround this season, the defense will need to play better.
Betting Tip: How many times have you lost an NFL or college football game by a half point? End that problem today by signing up at an online bookie where you get a free 1/2 point every time you bet your (2) favorite NFL/college football teams! Find this great offer as well as a giant 100% bonus up to $500 at GTbets!
This is a matchup of stark contrasts. While both teams enter 2013 with new coaches and systems, they have very different approaches. The Eagles are a high-flying team looking to win shootouts, while the Chiefs are more prudent and conservative. Philadelphia is more explosive, but the Chiefs make less mistakes and have a better defense. It should be an interesting game, both from a viewing and wagering standpoint.
Smith is already clicking well with an underrated cast of skill guys. RB Jamaal Charles was ho-hum on the ground in their week two win over Dallas, but did make up for it with 8 catches and a receiving touchdown. Smith even chipped in with 57 yards on the ground. The defense is coming around too. With 3 Pro bowl linebackers from last year, the questions have been with the line and secondary. The line looks better and though the secondary gave up 298 yards in the air to Tony Romo and 141 to Dez Bryant, only a single touchdown was allowed.
Kansas City will eventually open up the offense a bit, but Alex Smith’s style is to chip away at a defense. The Eagles defense, already spending a big chunk of the game on the field, may be looking at a really lopsided time of possession battle in this game. If the Chiefs are able to move the chains a bunch, that will surface as a factor. One shouldn’t be so quick, however, to relegate the Philly “D” to the trash heap. They’ve taken a few knocks, but if the Philly offense can really hit its stride, Kansas City might have to press and that could play into the Eagles’ hands. Still, to watch the Eagles allow the Chargers to gain more yards than they had since their Air Coryell days was disconcerting.
Coming into Philly is a big test for K.C. They’re 2-0 and everyone is high on the Chiefs, but beating what appears to be a pretty bad Jaguars team and an off-key Dallas squad is a little different than a home Eagles team that should be good and irritated after losing to the Chargers at home.
Loot's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Take the Philadelphia Eagles minus 3 points.
