Eagles can claim NFC East, No. 4 seed in NFC with win or Cowboys loss

ByESPN.com ESPN logo
Sunday, December 29, 2019

Eagles (8-7) at Giants (4-11)

4:25 p.m. ET | Fox

Matchup rating: 27.6 | Spread: PHI -4.5 (45.5)

What to watch for: Keep an eye on Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz against those Giants linebackers and safeties. Wentz has experienced more success on short passes over the middle than any other area of the field (624 yards, seven touchdown and no interceptions on 96 attempts). The Giants have given up 12 touchdowns passes this season in the middle of the field up to 20 yards downfield. -- Jordan Raanan

Bold prediction: Golden Tate will go for 125 receiving yards against his old team. With cornerback Ronald Darby on injured reserve and counterpart Jalen Mills dealing with an ankle injury, the Giants' receivers have a chance to make some big waves in the regular-season finale. -- Tim McManus

Stat to know: During the Eagles' three-game win streak, Wentz has been stellar in the second half (and overtime) of games, ranking in the top five in completion percentage (79%, first), passing yards (511, first), passing touchdowns (five, tied for third), first-down throws (31, first) and QBR (82, fifth).

What's at stake: The Eagles will clinch the NFC East, and the No. 4 seed, with a win or a Cowboys loss. They'll be eliminated if they lose and the Cowboys win. FPI projects the Giants to have the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Betting nugget: Over the past two seasons, New York is 1-9 ATS and outright as a home underdog. Read more.

McManus' pick: Eagles 28, Giants 24

Raanan's pick: Eagles 34, Giants 28

FPI prediction: PHI, 70.4% (by an average of 7.1 points)