The Arizona Cardinals head to the East Coast to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in NFL action today. The Eagles are in a three-way tie for the best record in the NFC and will look to nab first place and that coveted first-round bye.
Meanwhile, the Cards have the second-worst record in the league and are likely in tanking for Caleb Williams mode.
NFL odds have the Eagles installed as 12-point home favorites with the Over/Under at 48.5 for this Week 17 clash.
Here are my best free NFL picks and predictions for the Cardinals vs. Eagles on Sunday, December 31.
Cardinals vs Eagles odds
Cardinals vs Eagles predictions
The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a 33-25 victory against the New York Giants where they rolled up 465 yards. They are averaging 30.9 points per game at home and have scored more than 30 points in five of those seven contests.
In the two games in Philly where the Eagles scored fewer than 30 points, they played a pair of Top-5 scoring defenses in the 49ers and Cowboys and still dropped 28 points on Dallas. Now, they face an Arizona Cardinals defense that ranks second-last in the league in points allowed per game (26.9) while ranking dead-last in EPA and success rate.
The Eagles defense has looked vulnerable over the last two months but their offense continues to hum right along. They have the league’s top offensive line and last year’s MVP runner-up in Jalen Hurts at quarterback with a bevy of weapons surrounding him.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals defense has been awful in every area. They are last in the NFL in pressure rate while ranking 28th in coverage grade per PFF and they get gashed against the run.
Although it’s New Year’s Eve in Philly, we’re getting a beautiful winter day with temps well above freezing and little wind. That should allow the Hurts & Co. to do their thing and eclipse their team total of 30.5 points.
My best bet: Eagles team total Over 30.5 (-105 at DraftKings)Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.
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Cardinals vs Eagles same-game parlay
Eagles team total Over 29.5 D’Andre Swift Over 63.5 rushing yardsDeVonta Smith Alt receiving yards 50+
+371 at FanDuel
D’Andre Swift is coming off a 92-yard game against the Giants where he logged 20 carries — the most he’s had in a game since Week 2. The previous week he had 18 carries for 74 yards against the Seahawks. He should pick up plenty of yards against a Zona defense that’s allowed a league-high 147 yards per game on the ground. Especially if the double-digit favorite Eagles build a big lead early and play with a positive game script.
DeVonta Smith has been a model of consistency for Philly over the last two months. Smith has racked up at least 50 receiving yards in each of his last eight contests while averaging 81.6 yards per game over that span. The payout for his milestone of 50+ yards is set at -132 which seems mispriced when you consider his consistency and how awful the Cards have been at covering outside.
Marco Wilson was recently waived after getting benched and the two remaining starting corners Antonio Hamilton Sr. and Garrett Williams (who is also dealing with a knee injury) are mediocre.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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