Washington vs. Eagles Week 15 Picks: Delay Further Helps Philadelphia

The loser of this NFC East matchup on Sunday can likely forget about earning a wild-card spot. Read on for our Washington-Eagles picks.

Editor's note: The Washington vs. Eagles game was pushed back to Tuesday, Dec. 21, due to COVID-19 protocols.

The Washington Football Team won both matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles last season en route to clinching the NFC East title with a Week 17 victory in Philly. Washington is 27-28 all-time against the Eagles in Philadelphia, including an 8-10 mark at Lincoln Financial Field. Philly is 6-2 against the spread over its past eight meetings with Washington.

Here are my Washington-Eagles picks and predictions for the Week 15 NFL matchup (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Washington vs. Eagles Game Info

Date/Time: Tuesday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. ETTV: FOXLocation: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PAWeather: Partly cloudy with a high around 45

Washington vs. Eagles Odds Analysis

Philadelphia backers lost their best number on this game, as the line opened as low as Eagles -2.5 at some books. It rose to -7.5 after the game was postponed, and almost surely won't get back under 3.5 now. The Eagles are 6-4 ATS over their past 10 in this series as at least a four-point favorite.

If Washington QB Taylor Heinicke can’t play, the spread may continue to rise in favor of Philadelphia, though the total would then keep falling. However, Heinicke said earlier this week that his knee is fine.

The total opened at 44.5, but it's dropped a point since.

Washington vs. Eagles Picks

Eagles -4 (-110) ???Under 43.5 (-110) ???

SEE ALSO: Week 15 Betting Odds, Lines, and Picks

Washington vs. Eagles Predictions

Eagles -4 (-110)

The Eagles are coming off their bye week, and we don't know how rookie head coach Nick Sirianni will fare coming out of a bye. Former Eagles head coach Andy Reid has been legendarily good after a bye week.

This is essentially a wild-card elimination game, as the loser will be toast at 6-8. Jalen Hurts is expected to be healthy enough to start at quarterback for the Eagles after suffering an ankle injury and missing Week 13, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. All Gardner Minshew did during Hurts' absence was lead seven straight scoring drives to start the game, but there’s no QB controversy.

The big question is whether Taylor Heinicke can play for Washington. He left Sunday’s loss to Dallas with a knee injury and couldn’t return. Heinicke said postgame that he'll be ready to face the Eagles, and head coach Ron Rivera added that the team will monitor the passer throughout the week. Kyle Allen replaced Heinicke in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys and went 4-of-9 passing for 53 yards.

Washington is 2-6 ATS over its past eight contests following an ATS loss. Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its past five as a favorite.

Under 43.5 (-110)

This clash will come down to Philadelphia’s running game against Washington’s rush defense. Washington ranks No. 5 in the NFL while allowing 93.6 yards per game on the ground. Its defense only gave up an average of 3.5 yards per carry to the Cowboys.

Hurts isn't accurate, as he's completed 60.1% of his throws without a touchdown pass over his past two games. But he’s arguably the NFC's version of Lamar Jackson on the ground, with Hurts logging 695 rushing yards and eight scores. Sirianni pivoted to a run-heavy attack after a loss to the Raiders dropped his team to 2-5. The Eagles are 4-2 since and averaging a league-best 160 rushing yards per game.

Washington is very thin on its defensive line with Chase Young out for the season and Montez Sweat in the COVID-19 protocols, though there's optimism about the latter's playing status. Center Tyler Larsen suffered a reported Achilles tendon injury during the loss to the Cowboys, and top receiver Terry McLaurin left with a concussion.

McLaurin has notched 61 catches for 808 yards and five scores, putting him light years ahead of any other Washington receiver. Washington has already lost No. 1 tight end Logan Thomas for the season, and pass-catching running back J.D. McKissic missed Week 14 with a concussion.

There are just too many offensive questions to believe Washington will do much on that side of the ball. Washington failed to top 20 points in three straight games; two of the club's touchdowns during that stretch came from the defense.

The Under is 7-1 during Washington’s past eight games, and it's 14-6 in Philadelphia’s past 20 at home.

SEE ALSO: All picks and odds. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Washington-Eagles Picks made 12/13/2021 at 3:47 p.m. ET