NFC Championship Game Free Pick Eagles vs Vikings
Scott Morris | January 19, 2018
At 6:40 pm EST the NFC Championship Game will kick off. This matchup features the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Minnesota Vikings. The winner of this game will represent the NFC in Super Bowl 52.
The betting spread currently has Minnesota favored by 3 points and the total is at 39. Both numbers have moved a little bit since the week began. The spread was Minnesota -3.5 and the total was 38. Betting by the general public has been pretty even thus far.
Both teams are 14-3 straight up. And both teams are 11-6 against the spread. Philadelphia actually has a better margin of victory (10 points) this year than does Minnesota (8 points). But it is important to note that most of that was done with Carson Wentz at signal caller for the Eagles. He was injured in a game vs. Rams last month. Nick Foles, his replacement, has only started the last few games. This is exactly why Minnesota is favored in this game. It has been said in the sportsbook industry that if Wentz was healthy it would be Philadelphia that would be laying the three points.
If you are a football fan you already know how the Vikings got to this point. First, early in the season they had to put in their backup QB Case Keenum, who hwent on to have a career year. And last week, on a desperation last play, they won the game with a 61 yd TD pass down the sideline. If there is any team that seems like they have a date with destiny it is this Vikings team.
Both defenses are awesome. Minnesota only allows 16.24 PPG and Philadelphia allows 17.94. This is why the total is so low at 39 points. That and it is outdoors and in the chilly elements. Though, the weather forecast is currently calling for 50 degrees and cloudy. This could change between now and then so make sure to check the updated weather report. Wind shouldn’t be a factor at 6 mph.
Head to Head
Minnesota is just 3-6 in their last 9 games against Philadelphia. That goes for SU and ATS. They last played in October of 2016 and the Eagles won 21-10. I don’t think much information can be gleaned from that fact though.
How it will play out
Like I mentioned earlier it seems the Vikings are on this trajectory. And you can imagine how pumped they are after that win last week. I think that will carry over to this week. The battle of the backup QB’s will be close but in the end I think Minnesota gets the job done. The Vikings defense will step up and Case Keenum should be able to make more plays than Foles this weekend and pull off the win. I personally like the moneyline (MInn -155) in case it is a squeaker. I think the Vikes win this game and go to the Super Bowl.
