The NFC was viewed as the better conference earlier in the season. Now, I’m not so sure that this is the case anymore. Outside of the Lions, Eagles, and the Sam Darnold-led Vikings, there doesn’t seem to be a dominant team out there. The entire NFC West might finish 9-8. The NFC South might have the whole division below .500. The Cowboys and the Giants are disgracing the NFC East. The NFC North could soak up all the remaining playoff spots.

So when I say this is a match-up of NFC “contenders” it’s just a way of saying this may be the best they offer. The Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, and other AFC teams constantly give us appointment television. Let’s see if the NFC can answer the call on Sunday night. 

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Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) @ Los Angeles Rams, O/U 48.5

The Eagles are winners of six straight games after dropping two head-scratchers to the Bucs and the Falcons. Their defense is stiffening as we get into the cold months, and the rookie CB tandem of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean has seemingly fixed their secondary woes. However, those DBs haven’t been tested by a unit as strong as Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Matt Stafford has struggled to find options in the offense outside of those two, but I think they’ll answer the call on the big stage.

On top of that, Jalen Hurts hasn’t looked great throwing the ball down the stretch, and he’ll be without his stud WR Devonta Smith for this game. If the Rams sell out to stop the run game and give AJ Brown all the defensive attention on pass plays, the Eagles offense could struggle in this one. I bought some Rams +3 early in the week, but I’m taking an outright upset in this one for the sake of posturing.

Pick: Los Angeles Moneyline

Where’s The Beef?

I didn’t even mention Rams RB Kyren Williams in the first section because the Eagles are a great defensive run unit. I know he’ll get the workload, but I don’t think the Rams can win by feeding him the ball all game. If Puka gets all the attention as the WR1 on this offense, then I like Cooper Kupp’s ability to pick up the slack. The Eagles have consistently shut down the top receiving option throughout their six-game winning streak, but none of those teams had a second option as strong as Kupp. I think he could go for 100 yards receiving in this one, but I’m happy to take his normal over. 

Pick: Cooper Kupp Over 64.5 Receiving Yards

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