Vikings vs. Eagles Total Prediction
Will Sunday evening’s NFC Championship Game turn into a defensive struggle when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Minnesota Vikings at 6:40 p.m. ET?
Game Info
Matchup: Vikings (14-3) at Eagles (14-3)
TV: FOX, 5:40 p.m. ET
Line: Vikings -3
ODDS: According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the over/under currently sits at 39 points after hitting the board at 38. As for the point spread, the Eagles opened as a 3.5-point home dog but the line was bet down to the key number of 3 earlier in the week and that’s where it currently sits.
Bet NFL Championship Sunday Games
PUBLIC BETTING: As of this writing, roughly 55% of the betting tickets wagered on this game online are on the Vikings to cover the spread and 58% of the money is also on Minnesota. The betting tickets on the over/under are split down the middle, with 50% of the tickets on the over and 50% of the tickets on the under. That said, 62% of the money is currently on the over.
INJURY REPORT: Safety Andrew Sendejo (concussion) and receiver Adam Thielen (back) are both questionable for the Vikings, while Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring) is 50-50 to go for the Eagles.
OUR PREDICTION: In the four games since Carson Wentz suffered his season-ending knee injury, the Eagles offense has averated just 277 yards per game. That would have ranked dead last in the league this season. The Eagles have also scored fewer than 20 points, less than 100 rushing yards, and have had multiple turnovers in three straight games without Wentz.
Since Nick Foles has taken the reins from Wentz, the Eagles have seen their points per game drop from 31.1 to 22.7, their total yards per game drop from 390.5 to 297.0, their total passing yards per game drop from 247.5 to 203, their rushing yards per game drop from 143 to 94, and their third-down percentage drop from 45.3 to 32.5. That’s significant to say the least.
The Eagles will also go against a Vikings defense that is No. 1 in the NFL this season. Even though they surrendered 24 points to the Saints a week ago, that New Orleans offense was outstanding this season. I’m willing to bet Philly won’t do the same amount of damage.
The Eagles know they’ll have to win today in the same manner that they did a week ago against the Falcons: With stingy defense and a ball-control offense. Those two things scream “under.”
NFL CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY OVER/UNDER PREDICTION: VIKINGS/EAGLES UNDER 39