Why the Eagles Defense Will Keep Packers Game a Low-Scoring Affair

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers square off in the juiciest matchup of the wild-card Round on Sunday. The Eagles are 4.5-point favorites at home but it is certainly not the opponent fans and the coaching staff wanted to face in their first postseason game.

The Packers are not an unfamiliar team for the Eagles. The two sides faced one another in their season opener in Brazil with Philadelphia coming away with the 34-29 win. It was a sloppy game played in less-than-ideal, slippery conditions. Plus, the two teams look much improved since then. Therefore, we may not be able to take much away from that outing.

Eagles-Packers Betting Odds

Spread: Eagles -4.5: -115 | Packers +4.5: -105
Moneyline: Eagles ML: -240 | Packers ML: +194
Points Total: Over 45.5: -110 | Under 45.5: -110

Even though 63 total points were scored in that game, don't expect more of the same. Both teams have built more chemistry on the defensive side of the ball throughout the season under their new defensive coordinators. Green Bay finished the year as the sixth-best defensive unit while the Eagles ended with the second-best defense in the league.

Vic Fangio has done an excellent job as the Eagles defensive coordinator. Philadelphia ranks first in coverage, second in pass rush and run defense per Pro Football Focus while having the best overall defensive grade by a mile. They also rank first in defensive EPA/play against the run and the pass since Week 5.

The Packers are a run-heavy team behind the star rusher Josh Jacobs who averages over 17 carries and 78 yards per game. Green Bay's biggest big-play threat Christian Watson is unavailable. Jordan Love is not at 100% after suffering an elbow injury in Week 18. He is expected to play but how effective he can be with his throws remains to be seen.

The winter conditions will only make both teams want to run the ball. The Eagles are very well-equipped to stop the run.

FanDuel Sportsbook set the over/under in points total for this game at 45.5. The elite Eagles defense, combined with the flaws of the Packers offense makes Under 45.5 a solid pick.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.