Matt Ryan Out, Atlanta Falcons Home Underdogs To Philadelphia Eagles

NFL News - December 1st, 2009 - Written by John

The Philadelphia Eagles have been streaky, if nothing else, all year, but will have a great chance to get back to the top of the division this week. With NFC East-leading Dallas traveling to New York this week to play the Giants, a team that already pounded the Cowboys earlier in the year, the Eagles get Atlanta in Week 13.

The Atlanta Falcons have been equally streaky, but their two best playmakers will be questionable for the game. Thus, Philadelphia is a 3 1/2-point favorite on the road, according to Sportsbetting.com, with a total of 45 1/2.

Both Matt Ryan and Michael Turner were knocked out of last week's game with injuries, leaving their status in doubt. Ryan was hobbled by turf toe and has been ruled out, while Turner limped off with another sprained ankle. It is not believed to be as serious as his previous high ankle sprain, but any discomfort could keep him out for a week.

That would be good news for a Philadelphia Eagles team looking to win three-in-a-row for first time this year. They've won two-straight twice, but were stymied the following game in both instances. In Week Six it was a 13-9 loss to the Oakland Raiders, and in Week Nine, it was a 20-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Philadelphia has eeked by in each of it's last two games, beating Chicago by four and Washington by three to improve to 7-4. It is 1-3 ATS spread over the last four games.

The Eagles have dominated the series recently, winning six of the seven games played this decade, and are 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings according to NFL Betting Trends. Their most recent win came in October last year, getting 167 rushing yards from Brian Westbrook in a 27-14 win.

Westbrook has been limited to only 225 yards this season after two concussions, though, and LeSean McCoy appears to be the starter for the rest of the regular season. McCoy has rushed for 528 yards and three touchdowns in only four starts, including a 99-yard effort against the Bears two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are at 6-5 and simply hope to secure a wild card berth. They are currently in second place behind the undefeated New Orleans Saints, despite losing four of the last six. They are 1-2 against the NFC East with a lone win against Washington.

Recent history suggests this will be a high-scoring affair. Philadelphia has played the over in seven of it's last nine against the NFC, and Atlanta has gone over in 20 of it's last 28 against the conference. It is also 7-2 hitting the over in it's last nine December games.