Sunday Night Football: Chicago at Philadelphia

Dec 22, 2013

If Washington defeats the Cowboys earlier today, the Eagles would secure the NFC East Title with a win over the Bears tonight.  However, if Dallas prevails this afternoon, tonight’s game is somewhat meaningless for the Eagles as the NFC East will be decided next week when Philadelphia travels to Dallas.  Despite the uncertainly of the playoff scenario, Philadelphia head coach Chip Kelly has made clear that he has no intention of resting his starters tonight if Dallas wins earlier in the day.  “We’re not in a situation where we’ve got to rest anybody,” he said.  “We’ve got to play and get back on the winning track.  We’ve got to be ready to play winning football.”

Chicago arrives in town with a pathetic defense that is allowing 27.9 points per game at 5.2 yards per rush play, 7.2 yards per pass attempt and 6.2 yards per play.  Moreover, the Bears are yielding 32.0 points per game on the road at 6.0 yards per rush play, 7.4 yards per pass play and 6.7 yards per play.  Overall, Chicago’s stop unit is 1.1 yards per rush play, 0.4 yards per pass play and 0.5 yards per play worse than average in 2013.

Philadelphia Offense vs. Chicago Defense:

  • +1.8 yards per rush play advantage
  • +1.4 yards per pass attempt advantage
  • +1.2 yards per play advantage overall

Chicago’s strength is its offense that is averaging 29.0 points per game at 4.6 yards per rush play, 7.5 yards per pass attempt and 0.6 yards per play.  Overall, Chicago is +0.1 yards per play better than average from the line of scrimmage, whereas the Eagles are +0.7 yards per play better than average.  Philadelphia has also played its best defense at home where the Eagles are limiting opponents to 21.1 points per game at 5.4 yards per play.

From a technical standpoint, Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler is just 24-36 SU and 21-39 ATS in his NFL career versus .400 or greater opposition, including 5-15 SU and ATS from Game Twelve out.  Moreover, the Bears are 2-12 ATS in Last Road Game scenarios when matched up against an opponent off a SU and ATS loss and 0-11 ATS as road underdogs of seven points or less with a total of 46 or more points.  With Chicago standing at 10-31 in December road games and 2-8 ATS versus conference opponents, the experts at Pro Edge Sports recommend a solid investment on the Eagles on Sunday Night Football (assuming Dallas loses at 1 p.m. ET).