Wild-Card Weekend: Picks Against the Spread

Dec 29, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (95) celebrates his interception with inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) in the second quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT

Saints @ Eagles -2.5 — O/U 53

What can you say about the job Chip Kelly has done in Philly? People have been dismissing Nick Foles much of the year and he’s quietly had one of the best seasons of ANY quarterback in the league this year. The Saints have been unbeatable at home and rather bad on the road this year. The return of their coach seems to have been what was missing last year.

The Saints struggle with press coverage. Last week I expected the Bucs to play plenty of that; they didn’t and Tampa lost badly. The Eagles went on the road and brought home a division title vs. the Cowboys. Dallas played plenty of man coverage last week. Look for the Eagles to do that this week. The one thing neither team can do is fall behind early here, as that opens up offenses that can score points in a hurry — on both sides.

In a game I’m not sold on either team as being really good I’ll play the Over 53. If I were forced to bet a side I’d go with the home team as they have won four straight after a long losing streak at home.