NFL Odds for Week 1: Philadelphia at Washington Game Preview & Pick

NFL Odds for Week 1: Philadelphia at Washington Game Preview & Pick

Written by on September 8, 2017

Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins have pretty much dominated the Philadelphia Eagles in recent times and extended that dominance during the rookie season of Eagles franchise quarterback Carson Wentz last season. Despite that, Wentz and the Eagles have been installed in the NFL odds as slight road favorites in Week 1 when the longtime NFC East division rivals square off in their regular season opening showdown this weekend. With both teams looking for a playoff berth in 2017 after failing to reach the postseason a year ago, let’s find out what we should expect when this game goes down on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 1:00 PM ET, live from FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland with this matchup airing on FOX.

NFL Odds for Week 1: Philadelphia at Washington Game Preview & Pick

When: Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 1:00 PM ET Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland TV: FOX Radio: SportsRadio 94WIP (Philadelphia) / ESPN WTEM 980 AM (Washington) Live Stream: NFL Game Pass NFL Betting Odds: Philadelphia -1.5 / Total: 47.5 Weather Forecast
  • Clear: 20°C/68°F
  • Humidity: 51%
  • Precipitation: 0%
  • Cloud Cover: 5%
  • Wind: 6 mph NNE
  • Stadium Type: Open

Why Bet the Philadelphia Eagles Odds at -1.5?

The Eagles went 2-2 in the preseason by beating the Bills and Dolphins in Weeks 2 and 3 and losing to the Packers in Week 1 and the Jets in Week 4. Philly is coming off a decent 7-9 campaign in 2016 in the first year of the Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson era, but are looking for big improvement heading into 2017. After not having any real competent receivers as a rookie last season, Wentz will now be throwing to veterans Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith. In addition to adding those veterans, the Birds also signed veteran Nick Foles to back up Wentz and defensive end Chris Long to start. As a rookie last season, Wentz completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,782 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Eagles ranked 16th in scoring (22.9 ppg) and 12th in points allowed (20.7 ppg) in 2016. Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich spoke on the transformation of Philly’s clear-cut franchise signal-caller from his rookie year to now. “He’s prepared,” Reich said. “He’s emotionally and physically, and in every way, he’s a better player. And you still have to go out and prove that, and it starts this week. But he’s proven it in every phase of the offseason …I mean, everyone can see the improvements that are made — his complete command of the offense, his leadership on the team.”

Latest NFL Odds Trends

  • The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-5 SU in the last 7 NFL games
  • Total went OVER in 4 of Philadelphia Eagles’ last 5 games
  • Eagles are 1-6 ATS in the last 7  NFLgames on the road
  • Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in the last 5 games on the road
  • The total went OVER in 6 of Philadelphia Eagles’s last 7 NFL games on the road

NFL Week 1 Sure Winners and Betting Predictions

Why Bet the Washington Redskins Odds at +1.5?

Washington also went 2-2 in the preseason by beating the Bengals and Buccaneers and Weeks 3 and 4 after losing to the Ravens and Packers in Weeks 1 and 2. Cousins and the Redskins went 8-7-1 last season to finish in third place in the NFC East behind Dallas and New York, but still, Washington recorded consecutive winning campaigns for the first time that’s happened since 1996-97. The Skins ranked an encouraging 12th in scoring (24.8 ppg) and so-so 19th in points allowed (23.9 ppg). Are the Redskins a safe bet in the NFL odds against Philadelphia? To address some of their needs, the Redskins added veteran linebackers Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain and former Browns wide receiver Terrell Pryor while drafting defensive ends Johnathan Allen and Ryan Anderson although they also lost big play wide receiver DeSean Jackson in free agency. Cornerback Josh Norman says he’ll be ready for Philadelphia’s new receiving tandem of Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith. “You have physical guys and you have speed guys,” Norman said. “They’re impressive guys. … They can do more. They’ve got speed guys and they didn’t bring them in to be regular guys and run slants and corner routes and hitches. They’re trying to take the top off. They’re here for a reason. We’re aware of that and have to take it on.”

Latest NFL Odds Trends

  • The Redskins are 10-4 ATS in the last 14 NFL games
  • Washington is 2-4 SU in the last 6 games
  • The total went OVER in 17 of Washington’s last 21 NFL games
  • Redskins are 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games at home
  • The Washington Redskins are 4-2 SU in the last 6 NFL games at home

Series History

  • Total Meetings: 164
  • First Meeting: October 21st, 1934. Fenway Park. Boston, Massachusetts
  • Last Meeting: December 11th, 2016. Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • All-Time Series: Washington 86-73-5
  • Current Win Streak: Washington 5 (2014-2016)

Expert Analysis and NFL Odds Pick

I like the Philadelphia Eagles heading into the 2017 regular season, but I don’t think they should be road favorites against a Washington team they’re pretty much equals against. For me, Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins are the pick to get the home win and narrow ATS cover in what looks like another in a series of hard-fought divisional battles. The Skins swept their regular season series against the Eagles in 2016 while winning 27-20 at home and they’ve won five straight against the Birds dating back to 2014 while covering the spread in six straight against Philly. The Underdog in this divisional rivalry is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings and the Eagles are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road dates against Washington. I’m going with Washington for the outright home win in a thriller! NFL Odds Pick: Washington 28 Philadelphia 27