After wrapping up the AFC, we turn our wagering eyes to the National Football Conference and its 2017 champion Philadelphia Eagles.
There’s plenty to like about this Eagles team in the coming season. They’ve done nothing but add weapons on defense and, if Carson Wentz is 100 percent, they’ll have an upgraded quarterback too. BetDSI Sportsbook is still hedging its bets a little, counting on a good season but maybe not an elite season like last year. Here’s their odds.
Philadelphia Eagles 2018-19 Regular Season Win Total
Over 10 (-125)
Under 10 (-105)
First off, let’s talk about what the Eagles lost from the team that went 13-3 in the 2017 regular season and won the Super Bowl. On offense, we’ve got one subtraction; wide receiver Torrey Smith who was traded to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Daryl Worley.
And that’s it.
On defense, they lost no one from one of the best units in the league. They did drop Worley shortly after he was acquired in the trade because he got busted for a DUI, resisting arrest and being in “possession of an instrument of crime.” Considering he never took the field for Philadelphia, I’m not sure he counts.
Carson Wentz throwing again. pic.twitter.com/cmm0NotACL
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) May 29, 2018
The Eagles added Michael Bennett from the Seattle Seahawks to their defensive line rotation and brought in free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace from the Baltimore Ravens. Already with two solid pass-catching tight ends in Zach Ertz and Richard Rodgers, the Eagles spent their second round pick on Dallas Goedert out of South Dakota State.
Before I even get to their schedule, over/under 10 wins here looks like an excuse to print money. Philadelphia has two starting quarterbacks on their roster in Nick Foles and Wentz. Wentz looks every bit like a franchise quarterback and, really, so did Foles before Jeff Fisher ruined him for a season with the St. Louis Rams. The Eagles don’t have to rush Wentz back onto the field until he’s completely 100 percent.
https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/998955256628301825
What works against Philly is an improved NFC East. An actual competent coach is in charge of the New York Giants now and they should be able to score points with anyone. A full season of Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield and a third-year Dak Prescott will keep the Dallas Cowboys in the conversation and Alex Smith is at least a push, talent wise, with Kirk Cousins with the Washington Redskins.
In the first month, the Eagles’ toughest game is their first; the Thursday Night season-opener against the Atlanta Falcons. They then travel to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before hosting the Indianapolis Colts. They finish up September journeying to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. That looks like a 4-0 start to me and Philadelphia will certainly be favored in each of those games.
Their first significant test after the Falcons comes in week five when the host the Minnesota Vikings with Cousins at quarterback in Philly. It’s a rematch of the NFC title game and, ironically, both teams will likely be starting different quarterbacks than they fielded back in January.
💯 days til kickoff.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/NKapXpHLFU
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 29, 2018
I see at least 12 wins on the schedule. There’s no question I’d go the over.
