NFL Week 15 wraps up with a Monday Night Football battle of the birds as the Philadelphia Eagles travel west to take on the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately for both teams, leadership under center takes a hit as both Jalen Hurts (illness) and Geno Smith (groin) are questionable to play. Smith's groin issue has been a running issue, so his absence was expected, but Hurts landing on the NFL Injury Report on Sunday was as troubling as it was surprising. 

We probably won't know his final status until late as he is considered a game-time decision, so betting this game takes a much different turn. Making your picks against the spread needs to take every possible scenario into consideration and your player props need to be adjusted accordingly. No one ever said betting football was easy, but this certainly makes it more interesting.

 

 

NFL Monday Night Football Best Bets: Philadelphia Eagles vs Seattle Seahawks

The Spread: Eagles -3.5

What we've heard most recently, as of writing this piece, is “According to multiple reports, Hurts' designation was changed after his illness worsened overnight from Saturday to Sunday.” The is no word on the nature of the illness. For Hurts, we wish him a full and speedy recovery, but what we have is still too uncertain for betting purposes. You have to expect that you are getting either Hurts at less than 100 percent which isn't great or you're getting Marcus Mariota which, also, is not great. Mariota is not completely bereft of talent and he does have tremendous playmakers at his disposal, but we know the Seahawks have more experience with Lock at the helm than the Eagles do with Mariota. 

In addition to that, the Eagles are also dealing with some defensive injuries with both linebacker Zach Cunningham and cornerback Darius Slay both out. And who's to say what Hurts has isn't some flu running through the Eagles locker room? With the potential of Mariota vs Lock being our headline, I will err on the side of caution and take the points and the Monday Night home dog, especially if I'm getting that extra hook.

Pick: Seahawks +3.5 (-110)

The Total: 45

With the potential of a pair of back-up quarterbacks, there has to be an expectation of a lean on the ground game for both teams. It's not that they won't throw; it's just that a heavier lean on the run tends to keep the score down and the clock running. We know the drill. But if it helps, the under is actually 7-6 in Seahawks games this season and 6-7 for the Eagles. If ti can go either way like that and we have the quarterback situations we are looking at, it seems foolish to think the over will hit. Am I usually a contrarian bettor? I am. But in this case, I'll revert back to the usual trend of unders on Monday Night Football.

Pick: under 45 (-110)

Favorite Monday Night Football Player Props:

*Keep in mind that a lot of these lines are currently moving given the QB situations, so be sure to get your best possible number.

  • D'Andre Swift over 59.5 rushing yards (-120) – the yards continue to rise
  • DK Metcalf over 59.5 receiving yards (-110)
  • Kenneth Walker over 11.5 rushing attempts (-135) 
  • Tariq Woolen over 3.5 tackles + assists (-120)

**all lines & odds courtesy of BetMGM