Eagles vs. Washington Week 17 Picks: Philadelphia Will Cruise Past NFC East Rival

The Philadelphia Eagles will look to continue their playoff push against the Washington Football Team. Read on for our Eagles-Washington picks.

The Eagles took a massive step toward making the playoffs with their 34-10 Week 16 win over the Giants. They hold the final NFC playoff spot, with a 71% chance of making the postseason. Philadelphia’s two remaining games are at Washington and home against the Dallas Cowboys.

Meanwhile, Washington maintains slim playoff hopes after losing three straight games. The club must beat Philadelphia and the Giants in Week 17 for a prayer of making the postseason. Washington currently carries just a 1.9% chance of claiming a playoff berth.

Can Washington upset Philadelphia after losing to the Eagles 27-17 just two weeks ago?

Here are my Eagles-Washington picks and predictions for their Week 17 NFL matchup (odds via DraftKings, and pick confidence is based on a one-to-five star scale).

Eagles vs. Washington Game Info

Date/Time: Sunday, Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ETTV: FOXLocation: FedExField, Landover, MDWeather:  57 degrees and overcast with 9.5 mph winds

Eagles vs. Washington Odds Analysis

This line opened at Washington -3.5, but immediately the public and sharps aligned to flip it to Eagles -3.5. It's since oscillated between Eagles -3 and Eagles -4 the entire week. Philadelphia is currently receiving 63% of the bets and 71% of the money.

The Eagles are 8-6-1 against the spread after covering during four of their last six games. They've been successful ATS on the road (5-3) while posting the NFL's best Over record (9-6).

Washington is just 5-9-1 ATS after failing to cover during its last three games. The team is only 2-5 ATS at home, and the Under has cashed during eight of Washington's 15 games.

Eagles vs. Washington Picks

Eagles -3 (-115) ????Over 44.5 (-110) ????

SEE ALSO: Week 17 Parlay Picks

Eagles vs. Washington Predictions

Eagles -3 (-115)

It's difficult to find a rationale to back Washington. The team has lost three straight games, and COVID-19 has decimated the club. Washington struggled to field a competitive unit on either side of the ball when these teams met in Week 15. Guard Zack Bailey, defensive end Nate Orchard, and cornerback Darryl Roberts are still out for Washington while on the COVID-19 list. The squad will also likely be without starting right tackle Sam Cosmi and cornerback William Jackson due to injuries.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia is beginning to get healthier. The Eagles activated offensive tackles Le'Raven Clark and Andre Dillard, and defensive ends Tarron Jackson and Ryan Kerrigan from the COVID-19 list on Wednesday.

Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts should feast against a Washington defense that's allowing the third-most rushing yards to opposing signal-callers. The Eagles scorched Washington's run defense during the last meeting between the two teams. Hurts tallied 38 yards on 4.8 per carry, and running backs Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard combined for 200 yards on just 33 carries. Sanders is out due to a broken hand, but Howard is working hard to be on the field. Veteran running back Boston Scott and rookie Kenneth Gainwell are also available.

Washington’s pass defense is even worse while ranking 27th in DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. Hurts has improved as a passer throughout the season, and he's logged four career games with 325-plus passing yards. The highlight of his campaign is a 387-yard passing performance in Week 4 against Kansas City. Hurts also totaled 296 passing yards on just 26 attempts against Washington in Week 15.

Offensively, Washington hasn’t been much better while falling to 20th in DVOA. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke has registered just five touchdowns with five interceptions over his past four starts.

Turnovers are the great equalizer in the NFL. But Philadelphia should triumph unless it makes several mistakes. I’m confident laying the points in this NFC East showdown.

Over 44.5 (-110)

The Eagles have produced the NFL's best Over record. Philadelphia has won five of its past six games while averaging 32.8 points per contest. This clash hit 44 two weeks ago when Washington was forced to start Garrett Gilbert at quarterback.

Washington will score against the Eagles with Heinicke back under center. The team can attack Philadelphia's defense through the air with wideout Terry McLaurin and tight ends Ricky Seals-Jones and John Bates. The Eagles have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

But Hurts and the Eagles will still outscore Washington, though both teams will find a way to exceed the totals produced in Week 15. Philadelphia ranks fifth in neutral-game script pace.

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Eagles-Washington picks made on 12/31/2021 at 2:04 a.m. ET.