Green Bay is 4-1 both straight up and against the spread in its last five meetings with Philadelphia, including a playoff victory at Lincoln Financial Field five seasons ago. However, it's panic time for the Packers heading into Monday night's bout with the Eagles in Philly.Point spread: The Eagles opened as three-point favorites; the total was 47 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 30.6-17.0 Eagles (NFL picks on every game)Why the Packers can cover the spreadGreen Bay's is a tough case to make at the moment, having lost four games in a row, including a 42-24 decision at Washington on Sunday night. The Packers trailed the Redskins by 12 points in the second half, twice pulled to within five, but both times gave up touchdowns on Washington's ensuring possessions and ran out of answers.The Packers received some good news last week with both linebacker Clay Matthews and tight end Jared Cook returning. They both missed recent action with injuries. Matthews didn't do a whole lot on defense, but Cook caught six balls for 105 yards and a touchdown.The Packers also learned this week that running back Eddie Lacy and cornerback Sam Shields would both miss the rest of the season, but they haven't been playing anyway.At 4-6 on the season, Green Bay is in danger of having its seven-season playoff streak snapped, and it'sdown to a 4.6 percent chance to win the NFC North, according to PredictionMachine.com.Why the Eagles can cover the spreadPhilly hasn't been much better than the Packers as of late, going 1-3 both SU and ATS over its last four games, after falling at Seattle last week 26-15. But at least the Eagles have been a little more competitive.Philadelphia spotted the Seahawks the game's first score, took a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter, but gave up the next 20 points, creating a 26-7 deficit. The Eagles then scored to pull within 11 points, and drove the ball to the Seattle 34-yard line with two minutes to go, giving their financial backers hopes of a back-door cover. Unfortunately, that's as close as they got.The key play of the game probably came when, down 13-7 in the second quarter, Philly had Zach Ertz's 57-yard catch-and-run touchdown called back because of an illegal-formation penalty. The Eagles subsequently punted, Seattle immediately scored and that was about it.At 5-5 Philly also needs some hop in its step if it wants to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.Smart pickNeither of these teams inspires much betting confidence at the moment. But Matthews is back for the Packers, and they've still scored at least 24 points each of their last five games. The smart money here grabs the points with Green Bay.Betting trendsThe Packers are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five games against the Eagles.The total has gone under in six of the Packers' last seven games against the Eagles.The Eagles are 5-2 SU and ATS in their last seven games at home against teams with losing records.All NFL betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Reports official odds partner Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.
Click here to read full news..
