Packers Eagles Betting – Vick, Eagles Open Playoffs Against Opponent It All Began Against
Few would have projected when Green Bay Packers’ linebacker Clay Matthews knocked out Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Kevin Kolb in week one of the NFL season that these same teams would meet under the spotlight of the NFC Wild Card round under these conditions. The Packers won that game 27-20, but the Eagles may have been the true victors after the concussion that Kolb sustained on the play led to Michael Vick earning the chance to prove his merit, and ultimately establish himself as one of the best players in the league regardless of position.
NFL Betting: Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles
Online Sports Betting Odds: Philadelphia – 2.5
Vick became a sensation again as he threw for 3,018 yards and 21 touchdowns, and rushed for 676 yards and nine more scores. Eagles’ fans are hoping their Pro Bowl signal-caller has saved his best performance yet, as they will need it to build on their NFC East division crown and earn a spot in the divisional round.
Why To Bet On The Packers
A fourth-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to tight end Donald Lee helped Green Bay earn a 10-3 win over the Chicago Bears on the final day of the season to clinch one of two NFC Wild Card spots. Now head coach Mike McCarthy is hoping the fact that they got in is enough to spark them in to going much further. The Packers talked up how dangerous of a playoff opponent they feel they are, but it won’t be easy at a stadium in which they had lost nine straight games before earning a victory week one.
Lincoln Financial Field has not been kind to Green Bay, and a 3-5 record away from home doesn’t help their case, but they did beat a couple of playoff teams on the road with wins over Philadelphia and the New York Jets. Rodgers and the Packers’ receivers comprise one of the best passing attacks in the league, and if their attacking style defense can slow Vick early on, they could get in a rhythm. The Eagles lost consecutive games to close the regular season, and momentum is something that cannot just be turned on and off.
Why To Bet On The Eagles
Slowing Vick is an obvious need for the Packers to win, but that doesn’t make it a simple one. The 30-year old has found ways to keep drives alive and make big football betting plays with both his arm and legs, and that has made every member of the offense better. Running back LeSean McCoy rushed for an average of 5.2 yards per carry with seven touchdowns during the regular season, and will be relied on to pound the rock inside to keep the Green Bay offense honest. The Eagles defense is known for its attacking style and ability to get after quarterbacks, and that should keep Rodgers from establishing a comfortable rhythm in the pocket. Rodgers has been roughed up a couple of times already this season, and already suffered two concussions, so there is enough reason to believe he is vulnerable.
How The Game Will Play Out
The Eagles were actually better on the road than they were at home this season, winning six of eight away from the Lincoln while going just .500 in front of the home fans. Still, Philadelphia lost by just one touchdown in week one, and that was before the phenomenon known as Michael Vick. This game will be close early on, but it’s only a matter of time before Vick and the Eagles’ offense opens up. The rowdy fans should help the Philadelphia defense get after Rodgers.
Packers Eagles Betting Pick: Eagles
