Philadelphia (1-2) at Green Bay (3-0)
When: Thursday, September 26, 2019
Where: Lambeau Field,
Green Bay, WI
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: FOX
Opening Odds: Green Bay -3/48
With the Dallas Cowboys at 3-0, the Philadelphia Eagles are in desperate need of a win this week if they want to compete in the NFC East this season and their next game won’t be easy. The Eagles travel on short-rest to historic Lambeau Field to take on the undefeated Green Bay Packers to kick off Week 4 on Thursday night. Philadelphia has been injury-plagued in the early-going and it showed last week at home in a 27-24 loss to the Detroit Lions as six-point favorites. Green Bay, meanwhile, has won and covered each of their first three contests despite being outgained in two of them. The Packers rolled to a 27-16 win over Denver last Sunday and this will be their second Thursday night game after beating the Bears 10-3 to begin the 100th NFL season. Green Bay opened as 3-point favorites but the public has driven this up to five as of Tuesday afternoon and are getting 65% of the action. This will mark the first time the Packers and Eagles have met on a Thursday night and only the third prime-time game ever for Philadelphia at Lambeau Field. Including playoffs, the Packers have won five of the past six in the series (5-1 ATS), but they haven’t played since a Monday night in Week 12 of the 2016 season at Lincoln Financial Field. Current Eagles star quarterback Carson Wentz struggled as a rookie in that one, while Aaron Rodgers threw for 313 yards and two scores to lead Green Bay to a 27-13 victory. The total, which is set at 45 at most sportsbooks, has gone under in seven of the past eight meetings.
It has not been a good start for a Philadelphia team that were one of the favorites to win the NFC. The team could easily be 0-3, but a big second half in Week 1 against Washington help save that contest. The Eagles outgained the Lions by nearly 100 yards last week but turned it over twice and didn’t have any takeaways. Wentz threw for 259 yards and two scores, but was missing his two top receivers in the injured DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery. Jackson is questionable for Thursday, while Jeffery looks like a go. Offensive tackle Andre Dillard (knee) and cornerback Ronald Darby (hamstring) left Sunday’s loss with injuries with the latter being ruled out this week. Philadelphia, who has failed to cover its past six September games, will host the Jets next week before three straight road contests against teams that are currently a combined 8-1.
Packers’ fans couldn’t have asked for a better start with first-year head coach Matt LaFleur as Green Bay improved to 3-0 with Sunday’s 27-16 win over Denver. Rodgers threw for 235 yards and a score, while running back Aaron Jones rushed for two touchdowns. The biggest surprise thus far has been Green Bay’s defense, which three Broncos turnovers and is second in the league in points allowed (11.7). Free-agent additions Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith have combined for 7.5 sacks and the team already has two games with at least three takeaways. Green Bay will play another NFC East opponent next week – undefeated Dallas.
My initial thought was to take Green Bay in this game at -3, but the line keeps moving up and is begging me to take the points now. The Eagles will have some bodies back on the field this week that will help their offense significantly and I feel they can keep this one close.
Pick: Eagles +5 (More Week 4 Free Picks)
Eagles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games.
Eagles are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Eagles are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Eagles are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Eagles are 1-8-1 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 4.
Eagles are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games in September.
Packers are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.
Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in Week 4.
Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in September.
Packers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Packers are 39-19-1 ATS in their last 59 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Packers are 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 vs. NFC.
Under is 4-0 in Eagles last 4 road games.
Under is 4-1 in Eagles last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Eagles last 5 Thursday games.
Over is 35-17 in Eagles last 52 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 4-0 in Packers last 4 vs. NFC.
Under is 4-1 in Packers last 5 games following a straight up win.
Under is 4-1 in Packers last 5 games on grass.
Under is 4-1 in Packers last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 8-2 in Packers last 10 games in Week 4.
Under is 4-1 in Packers last 5 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 16-5 in Packers last 21 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 18-7 in Packers last 25 games in September.
Under is 9-4 in Packers last 13 games overall.
Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Green Bay.
Road team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Eagles are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
