The St. Louis Rams are coming in fresh off their bye week to challenge the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles. With both teams sporting their own defensive holes, look for an entertaining, back-and-forth game. Will the Eagles continue dominating their division? Or will the Rams grab their second win of the season? Read on for everything you’ll need to to bet on this intriguing game.
For more football action, check out our preview for the Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins Monday Night Football game.
[sc:Football ]St. Louis Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preview
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
When: Sunday, October 5, 1:00 PM ET
Line: St. Louis Rams (+7) at Philadelphia Eagles (-7); total 47.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the St. Louis Rams
Despite missing Sam Bradford due to a knee injury suffered in the preseason, the St. Louis Rams had put up 251 passing yards per game with first-time starter Austin Davis behind center, good for seventh in the league. Trouble is, Davis had found the end zone just three times against four interceptions.
[sc:NFL240banner ]In an effort to get more from their passing offense, the Rams will start journeyman Shaun Hill against Philadelphia. Hill only lasted for half of their season-opening loss to Minnesota on September 7. He threw 8-for-13 for 81 yards and an interception before exiting the game with a quadriceps injury.
Hill should find the Philadelphia pass defense welcoming in his return to action. Philadelphia is allowing 257.5 passing yards per game and has given up nine touchdowns though its first four games. If the journeyman quarterback can be as successful as Davis passing, then he’ll be able to move the chains against the Eagles defense.
In the meantime, running back Zac Stacy may be up for a good performance heading into Week 5. The Eagles showed some holes in their run defense against San Francisco as they were torched for 218 yards on 42 carries.
The total has gone under in four of the Rams’ last five regular season games dating back to 2013.
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Betting on the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive holes showed in a 26-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, as their vaunted offense was stopped repeatedly in crucial situations. The loss dropped the Eagles to 3-1 on the season.
LeSean McCoy, who led the NFL in rushing last season, only had 17 yards on 10 carries for a measly 1.7-yard average. Meanwhile, quarterback Nick Foles couldn’t dig the Eagles out of their hole as he threw several incompletions when pressured by San Francisco’s pass rush. He even failed to deliver on a couple of key passes from the San Francisco one-yard line, when a score could have won them the game. Foles finished 21 for 43 for 195 yards and two interceptions.
While the offense struggled mightily, it was the Eagles’ defense which put up their 21 points. They scored on two special-teams touchdowns from a recovered punt block and an 82-yard punt return by Darren Sproles. Meanwhile, safety Malcolm Jenkins added a 53-yard interception return for another score. Watch out for the Eagles’ secondary to stick to St. Louis’ receivers with the hopes of catching an ill-timed pass from a rusty Shaun Hill.
Offensively, there is cause for optimism. McCoy, in particular, may find the holes left by St. Louis’ defense which has surrendered 155 rushing yards per game so far. However, their passing may suffer against the Rams, who have allowed only 187.3 yards (good for third in the league) per game.
The Philadelphia Eagles are 4-1 in their last five regular season games dating back to last season.
Writer’s Prediction
LeSean McCoy leads the Eagles down the field, while Shaun Hill fails to deliver enough for the Rams. Philadelphia (-7) wins big.
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