Philadelphia at Baltimore Lines, Expert Pick & TV Info

Posted by Kenny Bell on Thursday,December 15, 2016 8:31, EDT in

NFL News, Betting Tips, Picks & Previews

There’s nothing on the line for sliding Philadelphia on Sunday when it visits Baltimore, while it’s hugely important for the Ravens as a loss would leave their playoff hopes on life support as they battle Pittsburgh for the AFC North title as well as for the AFC’s final wild-card spot. Let’s take a look at the NFL lines.

Philadelphia at Baltimore Lines, Expert Pick & TV Info

Referee for Eagles at Ravens — Craig Wrolstad #PHIvsBAL https://t.co/eK7363506E

— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs (@footballzebras) December 13, 2016

When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 1 PM ET
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
TV: Fox
Radio: Philadelphia / Baltimore
Stream Option: NFL Live
Opening NFL Lines: Ravens -6 (40.5)

Why Bet on Philadelphia?

The Eagles started this season 3-0 and that feels like forever ago as they have just two wins in their past 10. Last Sunday, it was a 27-22 home loss to Washington. The Eagles took a 22-21 lead when Caleb Sturgis hit a 41-yard field goal with 4:59 left after holder Donnie Jones got the high snap from third- string long snapper Trey Burton down in time.

But Washington went ahead with just under two minutes left. Carson Wentz drove Philadelphia to the Redskins 14 in the final minute, but Ryan Kerrigan sacked him to force a fumble and seal the win for Washington. Wentz finished with 314 yards passing and one TD pass.

Darren Sproles rushed five times for 27 yards in the Eagles’ Week 14 loss to the Redskins, catching two passes for 13 yards and a touchdown before being knocked out by a cheap hit. Attempting to field a punt in the fourth quarter, Sproles got blown up Deshazor Everett before the ball ever even got there.

Sproles is in the concussion protocol and not likely to play this week. Rookie RB Wendell Smallwood suffered an MCL sprain in Week 14 and he’s done for the season. The fifth-rounder rushed 77 times for 312 yards and one touchdown, adding six catches for 55 scoreless yards. But Eagles coach Doug Pederson expects RT Allen Barbre to play this week. Barbre was forced from Week 14 with a hamstring injury.

Philly has been throwing too much. Wentz has attempted 498 passes through 13 games for an average of 38 per outing. That puts him on pace for 613 passes this season, which would shatter the franchise record for most pass attempts in a season. Donovan McNabb currently holds the high mark with 571 attempts, set in 2008 — his 10th year in the league.

“I didn’t anticipate him throwing the ball quite as much,” Pederson said Wednesday. “I felt that he was capable of doing t, but you never want to expose a young rookie quarterback to that.”

Why Bet on Baltimore?

With three weeks to play in the regular season, 26 teams remain in contention for a trip to Super Bowl LI. That is one off of the most teams (27) remaining in contention with three weeks to play since the NFL instituted the 16-game schedule in 1978.

The Ravens (7-6) lost 30-23 at New England on Monday. Most of the damage to Baltimore’s defense on Monday night came via the deep ball. On attempts of 15-plus yards against the Ravens, Tom Brady went 8-of- 10 for 249 yards and two TDs.

Joe Flacco did his best to keep Baltimore in the game, finishing 37 of 52 for 324 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The 37 completions set a franchise record. The Patriots led 23-3 before the Ravens turned back-to- back New England fumbles on special teams into touchdowns. Another loss would pretty much seal the Ravens’ doom. But a win against Philly this weekend would increase their playoff odds enough to keep the AFC North door ajar.

Baltimore released returner Devin Hester on Tuesday. A potential Hall of Fame player, Hester struggled fielding kicks. His decision not to catch a punt Monday led to a safety. Michael Campanaro was promoted from practice squad and become team’s new returner.

The big injury to watch is to Jimmy Smith, the team’s top cornerback. He left Monday night’s game against New England and did not return. The Ravens really felt his absence, particularly late in the game when Chris Hogan broke loose for a 79-yard touchdown that sealed the win for New England. Ravens coach John Harbaugh wouldn’t give a timetable on Smith: “I see no purpose getting into that.”