2009 NFL Free Pick: Eagles Road Favorites vs. Falcons in Week 13
Two NFC teams with playoff aspirations will square off in Week 13 when the Atlanta Falcons host the Philadelphia Eagles at 1:00PM ET.
The Eagles barely edged out the Redskins 27-24 as a 10-point favorite in Week 12, as the combined score went over the posted total of 40.5. Donovan McNabb threw for 260 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Philadelphia, while DeSean Jackson caught two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown.
The Falcons had to stage a dramatic comeback to beat the Buccaneers 20-17 as a 13-point favorite in Week 12. The combined score fell under the posted total of 46 points as Chris Redman finished with 243 passing yards and two touchdowns in place of the injured Matt Ryan. Roddy White also hauled in five receptions for 57 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sports Interaction have made the Eagles 5.5-point road favorites over the Falcons in Week 13. The over/under total for this game has been set at 44 points.
The Falcons are in trouble as Ryan has been ruled out and Michael Turner seems unlikely to play as well. With two of their best offensive starters out, Atlanta could have a tough time keeping pace in this contest.
The Falcons defense will struggle slowing McNabb and the weapons he has on offense. Atlanta’s cornerbacks are some of the worst in the league and its defensive line struggles at times generating pressure. We don’t expect John Abraham to suddenly snap out of the season-long funk that he’s been in, so Philadelphia should roll.
Redman had a nice game last week, but the Eagles aren’t the Bucs and the backup QB is going to have trouble finding open receivers. Given how effective Philly is at blitzing, Redman is a dead man walking.
We love the Eagles –5.5 in this matchup and recommend taking the over 44. Atlanta is 1-8-1 against the spread in its last 10 games when playing Philadelphia, while the over has hit in four of Philadelphia’s last six games on the road.
Our NFL Week 13 Free Pick for this matchup is: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES –5.5 and OVER 44.
Eagles vs. Falcons Current Odds
345 Philadelphia Eagles –5.5 Over 44
346 Atlanta Falcons +5.5 Under 44
NFL Week 13 Betting Trends
Philadelphia is 8-1-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Philadelphia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games
NFL Week 13 Injury Report
PHILADELPHIA
[LB] 08/03/2009 - Stewart Bradley IR ( ACL )
[OT] 09/15/2009 - Shawn Andrews IR ( Back )
[OT] 09/06/2009 - Fenuki Tupou IR ( Chest )
[RB] 11/15/2009 - Brian Westbrook out indefinitely ( Concussion )
[WR] 10/25/2009 - Kevin Curtis out indefinitely ( Knee )
[LB] 10/22/2009 - Omar Gaither IR ( Foot )
[CB] 11/11/2009 - Ellis Hobbs IR ( Neck )
[LB] 11/29/2009 - Akeem Jordan "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Knee )
(S) 11/29/2009 - Quintin Demps "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Ankle )
[CB] 11/29/2009 - Joselio Hanson expected to miss another 2 games ( Suspension )
- 11/30/2009 - Todd Herremans injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Shoulder )
[TE] 11/30/2009 - Brent Celek is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Thumb )
[DL] 11/29/2009 - Broderick Bunkley injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Ankle )
[LB] 11/30/2009 - Will Witherspoon injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Foot )
[WR] 11/29/2009 - DeSean Jackson injured last game, doubtful Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Concussion )
ATLANTA
(S) 10/27/2009 - William Moore IR ( Hamstring )
[WR] 08/05/2009 - Harry Douglas IR ( Leg )
[DT] 09/27/2009 - Peria Jerry IR ( Knee )
[CB] 11/04/2009 - Brian Williams IR ( ACL )
(S) 11/05/2009 - Jamaal Fudge IR ( Knee )
[LS] 11/05/2009 - Mike Schneck IR ( Ribs )
[WR] 11/30/2009 - Brian Finneran is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs. Philadelphia ( Knee )
[RB] 11/29/2009 - Michael Turner injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Philadelphia ( Ankle )
[QB] 11/30/2009 - Matt Ryan is downgraded to expected to miss Sunday vs. Philadelphia ( Toe )
[OG] 11/29/2009 - Harvey Dahl injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Philadelphia ( Ankle )
[QB] 12/01/2009 - Chris Redman is expected to start ( None )