Minnesota (14-3) at Philadelphia (14-3)
When: Sunday, January 21st 2018
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Time: 6:40 ET | TV: FOX
Opening Odds: Minnesota -3.5/38.5
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The Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles have had their struggles getting to this point in the season, but the top seeded teams in the NFC will meet on Sunday evening in the conference championship game to decide who will go to Super Bowl LII. The Eagles weren’t given much of a chance after potential league MVP quarterback Carson Wentz went down late in the season, but the team has relished the role of underdog under backup Nick Foles. Philadelphia received a late defensive stand last weekend in the Divisional Round to hold off the Atlanta Falcons and advance to their first conference championship since the 2008 season. Foles has endured an uneven ride while filling in for the injured Wentz, but he completed 23-of-30 passes for 246 yards in the 15-10 win over the Falcons last week. Minnesota lost their quarterback in Week 1, but have flourished behind backup Case Keenum (career-high 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns and 98.3 passer rating) and the top-ranked defense in the league. Everyone knows by now how the Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints last week and it was Keenum who threw the 61-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs to complete the “Minneapolis Miracle”. Minnesota is looking to snap a string of five straight losses in the NFC Championship Game and advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since Super Bowl XI, while becoming the first team to play the big game in their own stadium. Philadelphia lost its last NFC title game appearance against Arizona in the 2008 season, although they did win the last time it hosted the contest (27-10 win over Atlanta, 2004 season). The home team has won the last eight conference championship games.
Diggs overcame a slow start last week to finish with six catches for 137 yards and ‘The’ touchdown against the Saints, giving him 28 receptions and four scores in his last five games. Fellow wide receiver Adam Thielen (team-leading 91 catches, 1,276 yards), who finished with six receptions versus New Orleans for the third time in five games, returned to practice on Thursday after being plagued by a lower-back injury. Latavius Murray, who rushed for a touchdown last week to increase his total to 22 since 2016 (including playoff games), will be going up against the NFL’s top-ranked run defense. The Minnesota defense ranks first in both total defense (275.9), points allowed (15.8), and second against both the run (83.6) and pass (192.4).
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Running back Jay Ajayi, who was acquired during the season from the Miami Dolphins, got off to a rough start against Atlanta with fumble on his first carry before finishing with 54 yards rushing and 44 receiving on three catches. Philadelphia used a three-headed rushing attack for most of the season, but have leaned on Ajayi as their top option out of the backfield, but they might have to mix things up against Minnesota’s top-ranked overall defense. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who saw all four of his catches result in first downs last week, had a team-best nine touchdown receptions this season and has scored seven times in nine career games versus the Vikings. The Eagles might not have the same dominant defense as Minnesota, but they still rank fourth overall (306.5) and fourth in points allowed (18.4).
NFL Conference Championships Betting Trends You Need to Know
Both teams should feel blessed to be here, because Atlanta and New Orleans were one play away from representing the NFC. The books are giving the edge to Minnesota, but don’t sleep on Foles. No, he’s not Carson Wentz, but he has plenty of experience and a great team around him. The Eagles are relishing the underdog roll and will win this game because they earned the home field advantage over Minnesota. Only one favorite in the eight playoff games this postseason has covered the spread.
ENTER SKYBOOK’S SUPER BOWL CONTEST
Pick: Eagles +3
- Vikings are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Vikings are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Vikings are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games.
- Vikings are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Vikings are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win.
- Vikings are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Vikings are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Vikings are 42-18 ATS in their last 60 games overall.
- Vikings are 35-16 ATS in their last 51 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Vikings are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 playoff road games.
- Eagles are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Eagles are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games on grass.
- Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in January.
- Eagles are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS win.
- Eagles are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
- Eagles are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Eagles are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 vs. NFC.
- Eagles are 8-3 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Eagles are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
- Eagles are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
- Eagles are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 playoff games.
- Eagles are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 10-2 in Vikings last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 4-1 in Vikings last 5 playoff road games.
- Under is 7-2-1 in Vikings last 10 playoff games.
- Under is 20-7 in Vikings last 27 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 13-5 in Vikings last 18 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 5-2 in Vikings last 7 games in January.
- Under is 5-2 in Vikings last 7 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 19-9-1 in Vikings last 29 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Eagles last 4 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Eagles last 4 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Eagles last 4 home games.
- Under is 6-0 in Eagles last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Under is 9-1-1 in Eagles last 11 playoff home games.
- Under is 5-1 in Eagles last 6 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Eagles last 7 games in January.
- Under is 4-1 in Eagles last 5 games on grass.
- Under is 4-1 in Eagles last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 10-3-1 in Eagles last 14 playoff games.
- Under is 6-2 in Eagles last 8 games overall.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Eagles last 5 Conference Championships games.
- Under is 6-2 in Eagles last 8 vs. NFC.
- Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Philadelphia.
- Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
- Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
- Vikings are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 meetings.
- Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Philadelphia.
