The Philadelphia Eagles are underdogs once again.
Despite having the easiest schedule in the league going into the 2021 season, the Birds aren’t looking too hot from a betting perspective. Based on opening lines, the Eagles aren’t expected to win until Week 8, depending on the sportsbook.
WHAT IS POINT SPREAD BETTING?
A point spread is the most popular form of betting. Created to equal the playing field, teams are either considered the favorite (stronger team) or the underdog (weaker team).
The favorite, denoted as minus (-), must win by the point spread offered by the sportsbook. Alternatively, the underdog is listed as plus (+). If the underdog wins the game or loses by an amount smaller than the point spread, the bettor wins.
For example, Team A has a point spread of -4.5, and Team B has a point spread of +4.5. Therefore, Team A would be the favorite and Team B the underdog. If the bettor picks Team A to win, they must win the game by five or more points. However, if the bettor picks Team B to win, they must either win or lose by less than four points.
Choosing Team A essentially means that the bettor is betting with the spread. Alternatively, picking Team B is betting against the spread (ATS). In terms of Philadelphia, last season, the Eagles were one of five teams to finish 6-10 against the spread. The only team to finish with a worse record ATS was Dallas at 5-11.
The point spread will also be listed with odds, typically set at -110. The odds mean that the bettor must wager $110 to win $100.
Rather than a point spread and odds, bettors may also see “pick-em” or “PK.” Essentially, this is a zero-point spread, denoting that neither team is favored, and bettors pick their money line.
EARLY BETTING ODDS FOR THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Last week, the 2021 schedule was announced for the Eagles. They will play one extra game, adding an 18thweek — the first adjustment made to the NFL schedule since 1978. Philadelphia will travel for nine games and host eight at Lincoln Financial Field, which will see a packed stadium for the first time in almost a year.
Philly’s 17 opponents this year have a combined 2020 record of 117-155-0, with a .430 winning percentage.
The following are the point spreads that Superbook at Westgate Las Vegas and PointsBet released for the Philadelphia Eagles. Other sports books such as TheLines provide early betting lines for Week 1-3.
Week 1: Sunday, September 12 at Atlanta Falcons
- Westgate: +3.5
- PointsBet: +3.5
Week 2: Sunday, September 19 vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Westgate: +4
- PointsBet: +4.5
Week 3: Monday, September 27 at Dallas Cowboys
- Westgate: +6.5
- PointsBet: +8
Week 4: Sunday, October 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Westgate: +8
- PointsBet: +10.5
Week 5: Sunday, October 10 at Carolina Panthers
- Westgate: +3
- PointsBet: +4
Week 6: Thursday, October 14 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Westgate: +7.5
- PointsBet: +8.5
Week 7: Sunday, October 24 at Las Vegas Raiders
- Westgate: +3.5
- PointsBet: +3.5
Week 8: Sunday, October 31 at Detroit Lions
- Westgate: PK
- PointsBet: -4
Week 9: Sunday, November 7 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Westgate: +2
- PointsBet: +3
Week 10: Sunday, November 14 at Denver Broncos
- Westgate: +4.5
- PointsBet: +2.5
Week 11: Sunday, November 21 vs. New Orleans Saints
- Westgate: +3.5
- PointsBet: +3.5
Week 12: Sunday, November 28 at New York Giants
- Westgate: +3
- PointsBet: +3.5
Week 13: Sunday, December 5 at New York Jets
- Westgate: +1.5
- PointsBet: -1
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: Saturday, December 18/Sunday, December 19 vs. Washington Football Team
- Westgate: -1.5
- PointsBet: +2.5
Week 16: Sunday, December 26 vs. New York Giants
- Westgate: -1.5
- PointsBet: -1
Week 17: Sunday, January 2 at Washington Football Team
- Westgate: +3
- PointsBet: Not listed
Week 18: Sunday, January 9 vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Westgate: +2.5
- PointsBet: Not listed
TOO SOON TO TELL?
Thankfully, these are early lines. Given the changes that the Eagles made to their roster over the last few months, Philadelphia will undoubtedly be entering 2021 as a very different team. Fans can only hope that the Eagles go ATS as the season approaches.
Luckily for The Birds, they don’t mind being the underdogs, and if they overcame it once, they could do it again.
