The first time these two teams met back in Week 4, the Philadelphia Eagles won after the Washington Commanders forced overtime with a touchdown with no time left on the clock in regulation. Will Week 8 bring more drama? Let’s break down this matchup.
Eagles vs. Commanders Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Eagles -7
- Moneyline: Eagles (-325), Commanders (+260)
- Over/Under: 43.5
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: FedEx Field
- Channel: FOX
Eagles vs. Commanders Prediction
The first time Washington took on Philadelphia, the Eagles were 3-0 and looking like one of the best teams in the league.
And heading into this matchup, after a convincing win over the Dolphins, the Eagles are 6-1 and looking like one of the best teams in the league.
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The last time we saw the Commanders at FedEx Field, they were getting embarrassed by a then-winless Bears team, as Chicago put a 40-spot on Washington in its own building.
That was an aberration for the Commanders, however, but rather their norm for the season at home. Washington is averaging less than 15 points per game (14.3) and fewer than 300 total yards per game (288.7) at home this season.
But here’s the kicker about the Commanders and their ineptitude at home: 10 of their 11 giveaways have come at FedEx Field — over just three games, no less.
The Eagles figure to be primed to take advantage of this version of the Commanders. At the very least, this situation sets up perfectly for quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Hurts, who is third among QBs in both total yards (299.3 YPG) and total touchdowns (15, tied for third), is a 4-0 all-time when facing pass defenses ranked in the bottom five of the NFL in Week 7 or later. Washington entered Week 8 ranked 29th in pass defense. Over those four games, Hurts has 11 total touchdowns and just one interception.
On the other sideline, Washington quarterback Sam Howell is just hoping he can survive the season. The second-year signal-caller was terrific in the first meeting at Philadelphia, completing 71% of his passes (29 for 41) for 290 passing yards, one touchdown pass, and zero interceptions. In addition, he also ran for a season-high 40 yards.
But with Howell, the only thing that matters these days is the sacks. Howell has been sacked at least five times in every game this season, and his 40 times sacked are not only the most in the NFL this season, but they are the second-most against any player in his first seven games since 1970. (David Carr was sacked 43 times in 2002.)
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And the Eagles, who sacked Howell five times in Week 4, rank top three in the NFL in sacks (24), QB hits (51), and QB pressures (118).
The Eagles are 3-1 against the spread as a road favorite this season, while the Commanders are 0-3 ATS at home. So, there’s no reason not to take the road team in this matchup, right?
Well, I’m going to lay off picking a team vs. the spread here. Washington has covered the last two meetings with Philadelphia, although both were in Philly. However, the Commanders’ state of mind appears very fragile these days, so it’s tough to back them either.
Instead, we’re looking at the total here, and while these two teams combined for 65 points in Week 4, I’m more inclined to go with the under. Two of Washington’s three home games have gone under, while four of Philadelphia’s last five games have gone under the total.
Too many mistakes and too little offense for the Commanders at home don’t really equate to too many points. Take the under here.
Best Bet: Under 43.5 points (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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