Philadelphia Eagles (6-7 SU, 4-9 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Rams (11-2 SU, 5-7-1 ATS)
Week 15 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday Night Football, December 16, 2018 at 8:20PM EST
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
TV: NBC
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: PHI +8/LAR -8
Over/Under Total: 52
The Philadelphia Eagles come out to the west coast for a big week 15 NFC showdown with the LA Rams on Sunday Night Football. The Rams look to add the scalp of the defending Super Bowl champions to their list of triumphs in what has been a successful regular season. They look headed to one of the top two playoff seeds in the conference, but might be in a heightened sense of alert after falling to the Bears on Sunday Night Football last week, 15-6. With a chance to climb back into the NFC East race, the Eagles fell to the Cowboys on Sunday, 29-23, in overtime. After being behind and working hard to send the game to OT, they weren't able to get the big win and the margin for error for the defending Bowl champs is now down to zero.
The Eagles aren't the first team to struggle after winning the Super Bowl, hence the fact that "Super Bowl hangover" is even a term. With success comes trouble. A lot of players and coaches became attractive to suitors in light of the Eagles' success. The formula was disrupted just enough to cast a different light on this team. And when looking at the injury report, it's clear that they're missing a lot of their firepower on both sides of the ball. But despite all the struggles, they are still vaguely in the NFC East race, where no team has gained much traction this season. But with the Cowboys surging, it's going to take a lot for the Eagles to get to the top.
On one hand, Carson Wentz' numbers are pretty good since he rejoined the team after coming back from an injury he suffered last season. There was still a weirdness to it, as the man who led them to Super Bowl glory got benched. Injuries have put a hurting on their run-game, which is now led by rookie Josh Adams, who has offered some promise, though he didn't do much last week. Tight end Zach Ertz is one of the best in the league, while receivers Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor haven't realty had their best seasons. We've seen the line take a pronounced step back and it has resonated badly throughout this offense. On Sunday, they were so close, driving for a game-tying TD with a little over a minute remaining in regulation. But alas, they couldn't avoid the big plays late, with Dallas scoring the big home-win and cover.
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The Philly defense has been better against the run in spots, though hardly the irresistible wall they were last season. And against the opposing aerial attack, they have really suffered at times. Injuries again have played an immense role in this equation. At any time this season, there have been more difference-makers on the injury-list than actually on the field. This group has secured alarmingly-few turnovers this season, with an inconsistently-applied pass rush. In other words, they've been a far cry from the Bowl-winning defense that struck fear into opponents' hearts late last season. They were in the game on Sunday, even as the defense allowed gigantic yardage, with Dak Prescott going for 455 yards and Elliott running for over 100 yards. They couldn't stop much of anything and their lack of being clutch at the right time has also proven to be costly. That doesn't bode well when about to face a Rams' team pining to get back on the right track.
Sure, they came up short on Sunday for only their second setback of the season, but the Rams are in the midst of a bonanza, one that they hope results in some postseason success. They were built to win now and that's just what they have done. On one hand, they're not infallible, as they've covered the spread just once since October 21. On the other hand, results are what speak loudest and from that vantage point; it's hard to call them out for much. But what they've done up to now is nice, but they want to do well in December and January, and hopefully make it to February. And it might be bad news for the Eagles that they don't seem to take weeks off—not counting last week, of course.
The Rams' offense is maybe the best in the NFL. If not, it's pretty close. I would be looking for them to come with a lot of urgency this week after putting up an uncharacteristic 6 points against the Bears on Sunday night. Leading the way is the immensely-impactful Todd Gurley, a weapon who can control games when he's on and he usually is. Jared Goff has become one of the more-prolific passers in the league, as he slings the ball to top talent like Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, with Gurley also a valued aerial piece. The line has kept Goff out of too much trouble, while springing the run-game. On Sunday, however, they were really awful, with Goff putting up just 180 yards and no TDs on 20-for-44 passing with a ghastly 4 picks. Gurley was silent with 28 yards on 11 carries. Expecting the Rams to repeat that kind of performance this week against a waning Philly defense might qualify as wishful thinking.
The Rams' defense doesn't really get it done like they're supposed to. They could have spent a lot less money on this side of the ball and gotten similar results. The star-power hasn't resonated into real-life results. They may have been decent in spots this season, but the troubling info is how they've eroded over the course of the season. Aaron Donald, the preeminent defensive lineman in the league, has carried his weight, while no one else has managed to really have a standout season. On Sunday, with the offense not cooperating, they were pretty effective in holding Chicago to 15 points. In the last 2 games, they've allowed a combined 31 points, so maybe they're finding some answers.
I think it would have been better for the Eagles this Sunday if the Rams had won against the Bears last week. Now, they get an irritated Rams team at home that will be eager to get back on the right track and not fall into a bad funk at the worst possible time. It's a tough road spot for the Eagles, facing their second away-game in a row, just as the fact that this is a lost season is starting to really resonate. I see a pumped-up Rams team getting back on the right track this week with the win and the cover.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the Los Angeles Rams minus 8 points. Did you know... that you could be wagering on the Eagles vs. Rams Sunday Night Football game at discounted odds? There's a better than good chance that you're laying -110 odds (or more) with your book. Stop overpaying TODAY by making the switch to 5Dimes Sportsbook! You will be so glad that you did!
