Denver Broncos (8-6) 8-6 ATS, 5-9 O/U at Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) 9-5 ATS, 9-5 O/U, Week 16, Sunday December 27, 2009 4:15 p.m. EST Veterans Stadium
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Denver +7/Philadelphia -7
Over/Under: 41.5
Denver Broncos fans were so pumped after their guys started out 6-0 this season but they came to reality in week 7, week 8, week 9 and week 10 as they dropped four in a row to quiet down the hype surrounding the team’s superbowl hopes. But to the Broncos credit they have managed to rebound from their mid season fall to stay two games above .500 and perhaps salvage a playoff run. The Broncos lost a heartbreaker to the Raiders last week 20-19 at Mile High Stadium.
The Eagles enter this contest as one of the hottest teams in the NFL, at least in the win streak column as they have rallied off five straight wins. Philadelphia beat the 49ers last week 27-13 to clinch a playoff berth.
Bronco head Coach Josh McDaniels was not deterred from his teams playoff picture even after the loss to the Raiders. He stated that his team was far from being dead and rightfully so as the Broncos do have some light at the end of the tunnel but a loss this week to the Eagles would turn the dimmer switch even further on their playoff hopes.
The Eagles wont last too long in the playoffs if they play the way they did last week against the Niners. Apparently they had a lack of killer instinct and only managed to scrape a win.
Denver comes into this weeks matchup averaging 19.6 points per game and 336 yards of total offense with 216 passing yards and 120 rushing yards per outing. Defensively the Broncos allow 17.9 points per game and give up 294 yards of total offense. Denver opponents gain an average of 177 yards passing and 116 yards on the ground per game. The Broncos are nearly three points better on the road as they average 21.9 ppg. In the Broncos last three games they have averaged 26.3 ppg and allowed just 16 to their opponents.
Philadelphia is averaging 28.5 points per contest and 364 yards of total offense with 257 yards passing and 107 yards rushing. Defensively, the Eagles are giving up 20.4 points per contest as they allow 214 yards via air and 101 yards on the ground. Philly has been even more productive in their last three games as they have averaged 35.3 points per game while giving up 19 to the opposition.
Denver is 8-6 ATS: 4-3 at home, 4-3 on the road, 8-4 on grass, and 0-2 on turf. The Broncos are 5-9 O/U: 1-6 at home, 4-3 away, 3-9 on grass, and 2-0 on turf.
Philly is 9-5 ATS: 4-3 at home, 5-2 away, 7-5 on grass, and 2-0 on turf. The Eagles are 9-5 O/U: 5-2 at home, 4-3 away, 8-4 on grass, and 1-1 on turf.
The Eagles are winners of seven of their last ten games. Denver has just four wins in their last ten contests.
Philly QB, Donovan McNabb, has a QB rating of 93.6 and a 61 percent completion record. McNabb has 3008 yards passing this season with 19 TDs and 9 interceptions. He averages 8 yards per completion.
Denvers QB, Kyle Orton, has 3182 yards this year, and has a QB rating of 89. Orton has a 62 percent completion record to accompany his 17 TDs and 8 picks. He gains an average of 7.17 yards per completion.
This game should be a classic late season a lot on the line type of matchup which will definitely have a playoff feel. The Eagles are a dangerous team at home. Philly may be winners of their last five but Denver is probably the strongest team theyve faced, outside of the Giants, since they lost to San Diego over a month ago.
Wilsons Pick: Denver knows they must steal this game on the road or their playoff light might burn out. Denver 23, Philly 21. Luck to ya.
