We’re still waiting for the start of training camp in the NFL. But before the Philadelphia Eagles get after it at the NovaCare Complex in South Philly, there is time to let the mind drift to the opening of the season on Sept. 8 at Lincoln Financial Field against the Washington Redskins.
Eagles – Redskins odds
Already the Eagles are listed as a big home favorite, at minus-8 at home against Washington with an over/under line at 46.5 points. The money line is listed at -410 for the Eagles ans +315 for Washington.
That’s the biggest line for all NFL games and the seventh-highest over/under line. Oddsmakers are anticipating a lot of scoring from the Eagles, but not much from Washington.
Healthy Wentz unleashed?
This makes sense considering Eagles’ coach Doug Pederson said he is placing no restrictions on franchise quarterback Carson Wentz heading into training camp.
With Wentz healthy through the first 13 games of the 2017 season, the Eagles averaged 31.1 points per game. The Eagles averaged 22 points per game with Wentz behind center in 11 games a season ago when he was still shaking off the rust from his knee injury and before a fractured vertebra ended his season.
With Wentz given a clean bill of health, will the Eagles’ offense return to its high-scoring ways?
It seems likely.
Wentz NFL MVP Odds
It also seems likely that Wentz will put together a big season. Oddsmakers have him listed at +1600 to win the NFL MVP award this season. That’s the seventh-best in the NFL, behind:
- Patrick Mahomes
- Andrew Luck
- Drew Brees
- Aaron Rodgers
- Tom Brady
- Baker Mayfield
- Russell Wilson
Wentz is also tied with Brady for the 10th-best choice to lead the league in passing yards, listed at +2700.
Eagles players and prop bets
Wentz’s teammates also are expected to benefit from his return to form. Zach Ertz, the Eagles’ top receiving target a year ago, is plus-5300 to lead the league in receiving yardage. Alshon Jeffery checks in at plus-10500.
Those are some big odds, jJust like the chance for newly acquired running back Jordan Howard to lead the NFL in rushing.
Though he has rushed for 3,370 yards in his first three seasons, Howard is just a plus-5200 shot to lead the league in rushing in 2019. Howard’s chances might be even thinner in joining the Eagles since the team’s runnings backs ran for just 1,335 yards a season ago and 1,787 yards during the Super Bowl season in 2017.
More telling is that the Eagles have had just one player top 100-yards rushing in a game over the last two seasons and that includes the playoffs. So don’t expect Howard (or anyone else) to pile up the yards on the ground.
The Eagles’ offense will move as far as Wentz’s right arm takes them. So look for Jeffery, Ertz, Desean Jackson and Howard to pile up the catches.