Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets
Time: 1 PM ET (FOX)
Spread: NYJ -2.5
Total: 45
Betting odds c/o Bovada
The Philadelphia Eagles have had a rough start to the 2015 season, dropping its first two games to the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. Week 3 may be its first chance at a ‘W’ and some relief as just 3.5 point underdogs to the New York Jets. The Jets will host the game which will air at 1 PM EST on FOX.
Eagles QB Sam Bradford had a rough outing in the loss to the Cowboys, throwing two INTs while garnering just one TD. He had 224 yards on 23 of 37 passing, but the Eagles were still out-driven by the Cowboys in passing yardage (250). Beyond that, however, the Eagles were entirely unable to get anything going on the ground: DeMarco Murray rushed for just two yards on 13 (!) carries, and Bradford led the team with an absurd nine yards.
In all, Philly got just 17 rushing yards and that is a sure recipe for loss. WR Jordan Matthews had a nice game for himself, scoring the lone TD while receiving six passes for 80 yards.
The Eagles did not fare so great defensively either. It allowed 109 rushing yards and 268 total passing yards (250 came from QBs). Jordan Matthews had a nice outing with 80 yards on six catches and Murray contributed another 53 yards receiving from the backfield, but the utter inability to shake up the offense with successful run plays ultimately made it hard for Philly to find the end zone.
Week 1 was equally as frustrating with the Eagles falling to Atlanta by just two points. Bradford had a huge yardage game but his two INTs were costly and the Eagles were fortunate enough to get 50 yards from Darren Sproles on just five rushing attempts.
Murray was good for only nine yards on eight attempts, and his lack of production over both Weeks 1 & 2 could end up spelling major trouble for the Eagles if he does not turn it around.
The Jets meanwhile have been at the other end of the spectrum as big winners in both weeks 1 & 2. It won 31-10 over the Cleveland Browns and 20-7 over the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have been in a tailspin, but the notion that the Jets would so take care of them before the season may have elicited laughs from faithful NFL fans.
Jets’ QB Ryan Fitzpatrick stood out with 22 of 34 passing for 244 yards while throwing a pair of TDs and one INT. He had two great targets to aid him in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, who combined for 198 yards and two TDs. Decent backfield production made it a lock with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell combining for 95 yards on 26 carries. While neither rushed for more than 23 yards on a given play, the production was enough offense to supplement a stifling Jets’ ‘D.’
Leading the way defensively for the Jets has been Calvin Pryor and David Harris, who have combined for 23 solo tackles, seven assisted and a sack. The Jets have just three sacks on the year, but the pressure still has been good and the team is creating turnovers.
Four interceptions have played a major role in that and the team has also forced and recovered six fumbles. “D-FENCE! D-FENCE!”
Keeping that intensity this week should be enough for the Jets to take down the Eagles, though the spread is close. Expect the Jets to barely cover the spread with a three-to-seven point victory. The betting total, however, is far more of a crapshoot with 45 seeming a very accurate mark given the Jets defensive capabilities.
If the Eagles cannot get Murray going miraculously, this could turn into a big win and easy cover for the Jets.
Check out the pick plans for the 2015 season here at Maddux Sports!
