GAMBLING RECAP

Week 14: Eagles fans, Wentz in pain

Week 14: Eagles fans, Wentz in pain
Carson Wentz will no longer be on the field for the Eagles. Philadelphiaeagles.com

Wince verb- To flinch as if in pain or distress. To make a face indicating disgust or dislike.

First and goal, just inside four minutes left in the third quarter, the Eagles illusion of a Super Bowl title quickly descended.  On a play that will never show up on the box score due to a penalty, it inevitably showed up in Vegas. Immediately after the confirmation of the season-ending injury, Philadelphia plummeted from a 4-1 Super Bowl favorite to  10-1 at most places. But just how significant is the drop off from Carson Wentz to the new play-caller Nick Foles?

In 2013, Foles was spectacular. By now, we all have heard about the 27-2 touchdown to interception season. The question is how did he achieve such phenomenal numbers? Was it a product of the overly fast-paced offensive schemes of Chip Kelly that the NFL had yet to adjust to? Foles would go on to finish the season with an astounding 119.2 passer rating while averaging a career-high 9.1 yards per pass attempt. So how did others fair in Chip Kelley's high octane offense? Let's just use Mark Sanchez for example. Following his record-breaking 2013 campaign, Foles went down to an injury and was replaced by Sanchez. The backup quarterback would go on to throw 14 touchdowns in 8 starts while averaging a career-high 7.1 yards per attempt. That pace would have given him 28 touchdowns on the year, also a career high. So, were the numbers from the QB position inflated by the system in which they worked within?

The ability to improvise when the pocket breaks down and extend plays is what separates Wentz from the field. The problem that comes with Foles having to do the same is he has had numerous injuries in his career causing him to miss time.

 


Can Nick Foles stay healthy enough to lead this team to a playoff run?

Week 14 was pretty leveled out regarding wagering. Favorites and home teams both went 9-7 ATS. Again, as we have seen all season, of the seven underdogs that covered the number, five won outright.

The number that does stick out is Unders went 10-5-1 in week 14. High scoring affairs is what Vegas and bettors anticipated last week. Instead, we saw many contests start slow making it impossible to catch up to the number; take the Raiders vs. Chiefs, for example: they only put up 3 points combined in the first quarter but ended with 41.

Biggest Underdog to Cover

Dolphins +11.5 (Moneyline +450)

The Patriots have been on the road four of the last five weeks with a trip to Mexico in their itinerary. With one eye on this week's showdown with the Steelers, the Patriots struggled to find energy all night. Throw in the fact that Brady owns a 7-9 record at Miami while throwing 15 interceptions.

Biggest Favorite to cover

Chargers-6

A wire to wire winner, the Bolts defense dominated once again. In the last three contests, they have allowed opponents to score a scarce 9.7 points per game. After starting the season 0-4 straight up and 1-3 ATS, the Chargers have reeled off four wins in a row while going 7-2 ATS since the pitiful start. With the defense playing lights out, the under is 7-1 in their last eight contests.

Most Bet Teams

1) Packers 76%

2) Seahawks 74%

3) Cowboys 73%

4) Steelers 74%

5) Bills 70%

Play action or Pass went 3-4-1 bringing us to 33-27-1 in 2017

Eagles +2.5 WIN

Giants +4.5 LOSS

Cardinals +4 WIN

Jaguars-2.5 WIN

Chiefs vs. Raiders over 48 LOSS

Teasers 7 point

Eagles+9.5/ Oak-KC over 41 PUSH

Teaser 10 point

Patriots-1/Eagles+12.5/Steelers+5 LOSS

Patriots-1/Eagles+12.5/Oak-KC over 38 LOSS

Super Bowl  Current Odds

New England Patriots    9-4

Pittsburgh Steelers         3-1

Minnesota Vikings         8-1

Philadelphia Eagles       10-1

Atlanta Falcons              12-1

New Orleans Saints       12-1

Jacksonville Jaguars     12-1

Los Angeles Rams         14-1

ESPN Power Rankings

Steelers

Patriots

Eagles

Rams

Vikings

Saints

For any questions or comments reach me at @JerryBoKnowz on twitter.

 

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The Braves blew the game open against Hader on Monday night. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

When the Astros signed Josh Hader to anchor the back of the bullpen with Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu, we thought the club might have the best 'pen in MLB.

But at this early stage in the season, nobody is confusing these guys with Octavio Dotel, Brad Lidge, and Billy Wager.

Heading into the ninth inning on Monday night, the Astros handed the ball to Hader trailing the Braves 2-1. Instead of keeping the game close and giving the Astros' offense one more chance, the Braves teed off on the closer putting the game out of reach and ultimately winning 6-1.

Hader has one save on the season with an ERA over nine. Which has us wondering, do the Astros have a Hader problem?

Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein weigh in!

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