Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles Betting Preview

Opening Line: Broncos +7 / Eagles -7 O/U 41.5

Time: 4:15 PM EST Sunday December 27, 2009 on CBS

Even though this is not a conference game this game IS important for both teams. The Eagles are in the playoffs, but can win the tough NFC East if they win and the Cowboys lose to the Redskins. (please Redskins!! I am a huge Washington fan). The Broncos have lost 2 in a row, but if they win out they are in the playoffs and if they do not they do not control their destiny, as they will need help to make it to the playoffs. The Broncos have had trouble on offense lately and they will be facing a solid Eagles' defense that has forced 36 turnovers this season.

This season the Eagles are 5-2 at home and 9-5 ATS and the Broncos are 4-3 on the road and 8-6 ATS.

Last week the Broncos lost to the Oakland Raiders 20-19 while the Eagles beat the San Francisco 49ers 27-13.

The Broncos are led by Kyle Orton (3,182 yds 17 TD 8 INT) and he will have to have a good game, especially if the Broncos rushing attack, led by RB Knowshon Moreno (879 yds 5 TD), struggles. The Eagles and their 2nd ranked defense is a blitzing defense and if they can wreak havoc in the backfield they will be sitting pretty. They have to keep Orton and WR Brandon Marshall from making the big play downfield. It is vital that the Denver offensive line has a good game, as they have to protect Orton and open up holes for Moreno.

The Eagles' offense is led by QB Donovan McNabb (3,008 yds 19 TD 9 INT), and he does have a legit WR corps, especially DeSean Jackson (56 rec 1,087 yds 8 TD), but the rushing offense may be the key in this game. The Broncos have the league's 3rd rated defense and they have one of the best secondaries in the game only allowing an average of 177 passing yards per game. Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy (606 yds 4 TD) has been the featured back and has been playing well and Philly is happy since RB Brian Westbrook has been cleared to play after missing the last few games due to a concussion.

The Broncos are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games and the total has gone Over in 4 of their last 6 games. The Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.