Vikings vs Eagles NFC Championship Odds: Best Moneyline, ATS, Totals

• Find out which sportsbook is offering the most favorable odds for each wager.
• Can the Eagles overcome their offensive limitations with Nick Foles under center?
• Who will represent the NFC in Super Bowl 52?

 

At 6:40 PM ET this Sunday (January 21st), the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles will kickoff the NFC Championship, with the winner booking their ticket to Super Bowl 52. The game will be played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The weather is expected to be around 49° Fahrenheit pre-game, dropping to 42° by kickoff, and reaching as low as 41° in the fourth quarter. Neither rain nor wind should play a factor, though.

Below is a full betting preview, including expert advice on betting the moneyline, the spread, and the game total, plus where to find the best odds for both sides of each wager.

 

Team Injury Reports

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Team Stats

VIKINGS vs EAGLES

VIKINGS OFFENSE vs EAGLES DEFENSE

EAGLES OFFENSE vs VIKINGS DEFENSE

Game Preview

At the beginning of the season, the probability of seeing Case Keenum vs Nick Foles for the NFC Championship was about as likely as Donald Trump being elected President of the United States. Yet here we are …

The Minnesota Vikings are here thanks to a dominant defense, a surprisingly efficient offense, and the “Minneapolis Miracle.” Mike Zimmer’s defense is as complete as defenses get, finishing the regular season ranked first in both yards and points allowed, while ranking second against the pass and second against the run. Trying to find a weakness in the unit is about as tough as making it through enchilada night without a bathroom break. Minnesota’s defense does not need to rely on sacks or turnovers; it just gets stops.

One of the more pleasant surprises of the 2017 season has been the play of journeyman quarterback Case Keenum. The 29-year-old started 14 games for the Vikings this season after Sam Bradford went down with a(nother) knee injury. Keenum threw 22 TDs to just seven INTs, posting a 98.3 passer rating (seventh among QBs who threw at least 205 passes this season). The Houston product would be the first to admit, though, that he’s had the luxury of throwing to a dynamic receiving duo — Adam Thielen (fifth in receiving yards) and Stefon Diggs (eighth in receiving TDs) — which as turned a lot of 50/50 balls into big plays. And to think, this offense also featured Dalvin Cook at RB for the first four games of the season before the rookie tore his ACL.

Keenum and the Viking offense will arguably face their toughest task this Sunday when they meet an Eagles’ defense that ranks fourth in both points and yards allowed. Philadelphia’s strength on defense starts up front with Pro Bowl DT Fletcher Cox and his partner in crime, Timmy Jernigan. The two monstrous defensive linemen are a major reason the Eagles allow an NFL-low 79.2 rushing yards per game. Cox and Jernigan have also helped hide Philly’s sub-par secondary. The attention they demand in pass protection allows for guys like Brandon Graham (9.5 sacks), Derek Barnett (5 sacks), and Chris Long (5 sacks) to take advantage of one-on-one matchups on the edge.

Prior to Week 14, the Eagles offense was just as lethal as its defense. Philadelphia was averaging an NFL-high 31.1 points per game, and Carson Wentz was the favorite to win NFL MVP. But since his devastating knee injury, the Eagles offense has only averaged 17 points per game in four Nick Foles starts. The offense has also turned the ball over six times in the last three games. It’s imperative Foles protects the ball this Sunday, and his defense will need him to limit the three-and-outs.

Regardless of who emerges as the NFC Champion, that team will be one step closer to winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

Vikings vs Eagles Betting Opportunities

Betting the Moneyline

BEST VIKINGS MONEYLINE: -150

 

BEST EAGLES MONEYLINE: +140

 

STRAIGHT-UP TRENDS

EXPERT MONEYLINE ADVICE: VIKINGS (-150)

With the loss of Carson Wentz, the Vikings became the most complete team in football. On paper, they are superior to the Eagles in almost every way now that Nick Foles is leading the charge in Philadelphia. An underdog can overcome this situation by: (1) having their QB stealing the game, (2) severely out-coaching their opponent, or (3) winning the turnover battle.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, Nick Foles won’t be turning in an elite performance and out-playing Case Keenum; Mike Zimmer is one of the best defensive coaches in the game, while Pat Shurmur is one of the most coveted offensive minds in the league; and the Vikings committed the third-fewest turnovers in the NFL during the regular season.

 

Betting Against the Spread

BEST VIKINGS SPREAD: -3 (-105)

You can also get EVEN odds with the Vikings by laying an extra half-point (-3.5).

BEST EAGLES SPREAD: +3 (-110) 

You’ll also find Philadelphia +3.5, if you’re willing to take on -120 odds.

AGAINST THE SPREAD TRENDS

EXPERT ATS ADVICE: VIKINGS -3 (-105)

Minnesota’s defense has not had to rely on sacks and takeaways, which are tough to sustain, to be great this season. They have simply stopped their opponent from moving the ball at an alarmingly successful rate. When sacks and turnovers have come, they have been a bonus. And with Nick Foles taking Philadelphia’s snaps, you should expect to see a few bonuses on Sunday.

When Minnesota forces a turnover this season, they are 10-1 with an average margin of victory of 11.2 points. When they generate multiple takeaways in a game, they are 8-0 with an average margin of victory of 13.1 points. Expect Foles to give the ball away at least once and the Vikings to take advantage.

 

Betting the Game Total

BEST OVER ODDS: 38.5 (-116)

If you’re looking for better odds, you can get -110 with a game total of 39.

BEST UNDER ODDS: 39 (-105) 

 

TOTALS TRENDS

EXPERT GAME TOTAL ADVICE: UNDER 39 (-105)

Minnesota possesses the best scoring defense in the league. Philadelphia only surrenders an average of 13 points per game at home this season. Neither of the two pivots playing in this game is good enough to carve up the dominant defense on the other side of the field.

Expect both coaching staffs to be reluctant to open their offense up, in fear of committing costly turnovers, choosing to lean on their defenses to win them this game instead.