Game: Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles
Date & Time: Sunday January 5th, 2020, 4:35 (EST)
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
The Line: Seattle Seahawks -1.5, O/U 45
TV Channel: NBC
In a battle of injury-ravaged teams, the play of Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz will decide this one in the final game of Wild Card Weekend.
NFL Season Record: 60-50-3
NFL Playoff Record: 0-0
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles Preview
For a while there, it seemed like nobody wanted to win the NFC East. That was before the Eagles sprung together 4 straight impressive victories after being 5-7 to finish as 9-7 NFC East Champions.
Carson Wentz, at least for the time being, has silenced his haters. Since his MVP season was cut short in 2017, many people have thought that Wentz hasn’t been the same player. He proved them wrong by elevating his play over the last month while his supporting cast is dropping like flies with injuries.
The Seahawks ended the season at 11-5, but were mere inches from the NFC West Championship when TE Jacob Hollister was stopped at the goal line as time expired. Because of that loss, instead of sitting pretty with a first round bye, the Seahawks have to travel across country to play on the road in Philadelphia.
Battling injuries of their own, the Seahawks signed long-time legend Marshawn Lynch for their playoff run. Injuries to Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny forced their hand, but the Seahawks faithful love Lynch, and he gave them a spark last week, rushing for a TD in his return.
This game will come down to which quarterback can elevate his lacking supporting cast. Wentz has been throwing to practice squad receivers, and he will be getting a boost with RB Miles Sanders announcing himself good to go for this game. Whichever team can get off to a hot start could let their defense take over en route to a victory.
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles Key Stats
- The Seahawks lost to the Cowboys in the Wild Card Round last season
- This is Carson Wentz’s first playoff start
- Russell Wilson is 9-6 in his playoff career
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles Betting Lines
- The O/U for the game is 45
- The Seahawks are 1.5 point favorites on Draftkings
- The Seahawks are -121 on the ML, Eagles +106
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles Prediction
If both teams were healthy, they could make their case as being the best team in the NFC. However, injuries cannot be predicted, and both teams are dealing with the hands they’ve been dealt. The Seahawks, although they are on the road, come into this game as 1.5 point favorites.
The Eagles have won 4 in a row after it looked like their season was over. They are doing it by playing a dominating brand of defense, and relying on Wentz to improvise and make timely plays. The Seahawks have been lead by Wilson, who on many accounts was the MVP of the first half of this season.
In the end, Russell Wilson’s experience will lead the Seahawks to a close playoff victory. However, is Carson Wentz proves he can stay healthy, his Eagles teams will be a playoff mainstay.