Jalen Hurtz #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 17, needing another win to clinch the top seed in the NFC Playoffs and earn the coveted bye into the second round.
With so much at stake, Philly’s MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts will “pay to play this week,” According to NFL insider Ian Rapoportafter a narrow loss last week to the Cowboys with a shoulder injury.
As was the case last week when the Cowboys-Eagles streak moved on before news of Hurts’ injury became widely known, Vegas is a step forward again this week. The Eagles-Saints spread started with the Eagles as a four-point favorite but has since moved up to Eagles -6.5.
Interesting to see such a big move in the spread considering Eagles backup QB Gardner Mincio looked solid against Dallas and Rapoport also said, “In the air” in reference to Hurts playing this week. Hurts clearly played at MVP caliber this year, but the Eagles lost narrowly to the Cowboys on the road with Minshew under center last week. Surely they’ll be able to handle 6-9 Saints in the house this week.
Whether Hurts starts or not, the Eagles are in prime position to get the win they need to clinch a home run through the playoffs against a Saints team who are 2-4 against the Spread as an underdog on the road this season. While New Orleans won outright as a road dog against the Cleveland Browns, and covered their last two as underdogs on the road, I feel comfortable the Eagles won by touchdowns with Minshew or Hurts under center.
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The game odds are updated periodically and are subject to change.
