Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers preview, odds, and predictions

The 4-5 Philadelphia Eagles will be on the road this week to take on the 5-3 Green Bay Packers. The Eagles are coming off a 49-20 win over the Oakland Raiders in which quarterback Nick Foles threw seven (yes, you read that right) touchdown passes. He managed to hit the mark in only three quarters of play, being relieved in the fourth by rookie Matt Barkley. Green Bay, on the other hand, was a little less fortunate in their last outing, losing not only the game (27-20 to the rival Chicago Bears) but also quarterback Aaron Rodgers (who suffered a fractured clavicle).

Here are three key things to know before the game so as not to look like a fool in front of your bros.

1) Seneca Wallace will start for the Packers

Will Wallace, who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2003, earn his own State Farm discount daaa-ble check commercial if he plays well? Probably not, but let’s hope so since those commercials are growing a bit tiresome. Wallace didn’t exactly have the best game after Rodgers went down against the Bears, so expect the Packers to lean heavily on rookie running back Eddie Lacy, who played exceptionally well in the loss to Chicago and could become the first Green Bay running back since Ryan Grant in 2009 to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

Also, although this was from back in his Iowa State days, it’s wrong to talk about Seneca Wallace without sharing this ridiculous highlight.

2) Foles could be in for another huge day

While it’s unlikely he’ll be able to match his record-setting performance from the Oakland game, quarterback Nick Foles could have another big day this weekend. As Philadelphiaeagles.com points out, Green Bay isn’t great at stopping the pass, allowing 250.5 yards per game (20th in the NFL). The Packers have surrendered 14 passing touchdowns on the season and have only three interceptions. (To be fair, the Eagles are even worse when it comes to pass defense, giving up a whopping 307.6 yards per game through the air). Big games from the running back tandem of Bryce Brown and LeSean McCoy could help open things up for another aerial showcase from Foles.

3) The spread

No, we’re not talking about Chip Kelly’s offense. According to OddsShark, a site that is evidently not a support group for socially awkward sharks, the line for the game (at the time of this posting) is even. The O/U is 47. Do what you will with that information.

My prediction: Even without Rodgers at the helm, I expect Green Bay to put up a fight. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Lacy leads the NFL in rushing since he returned from his concussion in Week 5, and the Eagles are average at stopping the run. And as great as the Philadelphia offense looked last week, it’s undeniable the Eagles have floundered at times this season. Still, I say the Eagles win 30-24. The real winners, however, will be the Matthews family.