In a weekend full of divisional match-ups, Chip Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagles will step ever closer to the playoffs when they complete their double over the Dallas Cowboys.
It’s a regular affair that down the stretch in an NFL season, you see more divisional matches and they become ever-important as the playoff picture starts to solidify. Therefore it’s especially important for the Philadelphia Eagles to win on Sunday against their nearest rivals in the Dallas Cowboys, as it could get them into the post-season party.
Both are currently 9-4 with the Eagles on top due to their win over the ‘Boys on Thanksgiving and it’s difficult to see Dallas’ patchwork defence holding off Philly’s fast-paced offence. They struggled against a strong defence but that’ll only be a worry once they make the playoffs, back them to beat Dallas again with the -3.5 handicap at Evens.
The early evening kick-offs are headlined by two NFC North rivals as the Cleveland Browns look to keep their feint hopes alive as they host the division leading Cincinnati Bengals. Both of the Ohio teams have been up and down this year, the Browns have been much improved but are likely to be on the outside looking in at the post-season whilst the Bengals should be better but look like limping across the line.
This one is very important for both for many reasons but the Browns can’t decided who they want to lead them, whether it should be Brian Hoyer or rookie Johnny Manziel, and that will be the deciding factor. Cincinnati will sneak this one and continue on the road to the division title, take them at 19/20 to win. Hoyer has thrown just one touchdown in his last five games, that’ll be an issue as the Bengals storm into an unassailable lead.
The Denver Broncos trip to San Diego is the stand-out game of the late fixtures and it could see Peyton Manning seal yet another spot in the playoffs. The Chargers come off of a tough loss against New England and with a tricky schedule left, they need every single win if they want to get a wildcard spot and they’ve troubled Denver before.
Manning isn’t playing his best football but he has so much talent around him, on both sides of the ball, that it hasn’t hurt this team much and that’ll happen again here. He might not lead his team to glory but the Chargers indifferent offence will keep them in the game, go for the Broncos to win a close one at 47/100.
