How do you rank the final four quarterbacks in the NFL playoffs?
Former NFL stars rank the remaining quarterbacks in the NFL playoffs as they prepare to face off on Conference Championship weekend.
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The rubber match is set in Philadelphia.
There’s always tomorrow during the regular season. That won’t be the case for one team after Sunday’s game. While the Eagles have been amongst the NFC favorites all year long, the Commanders haven’t escaped underdog status.
Even after slaying the top-seeded Lions, Washington is now set for another challenge against their division rivals. If they can deliver the knockout blow, Dan Quinn’s team will reach the Super Bowl in what was supposed to be the first year of a rebuild.
Defying expectations and thriving in the underdog role is supposed to be a Philly staple. Instead it’s their opponents taking on their beloved “nobody believes in us” mantra.
Jalen Hurts is coming into the game a little beaten up, nursing a knee injury after an awkward fall in the snow last week. Jayden Daniels, on the other hand, is pulling a rabbit out of his hat every week to keep this magical run alive.
As usual, the pressure falls on Saquon Barkley’s shoulders to deliver in a big spot. Can the running back get his team to New Orleans or will they need to buy a ticket to watch their division rivals in Super Bowl 59?
What are the best bets for the Eagles vs. Commanders NFC championship game? Here’s a look at the top player props and anytime TD scorers to back during the first of the NFL’s divisional games on Sunday.
All odds are via BetMGM as of Saturday.
Ekeler has been a machine in the playoffs, going over his receiving line in each of Washington’s last two games. Many were quick to say the running back was washed after last season. Now that word only comes up when Ekeler talks about his laundry.
While he missed the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Eagles, Ekeler crushed this line during Week 11’s “Thursday Night Football” showdown. He went off, collecting 8-of-9 targets for 89 yards through the air. Washington will find life difficult if they want to rely on the running game, especially without guard Sam Cosmi in the lineup.
That only makes Ekeler more valuable, especially in the quick passing game. Kliff Kingsbury’s sabbatical in Thailand has proven to be a massive success for the coach. He’ll have to get creative to pull off another upset and it starts with featuring Ekeler even more.
For a team named after a bird, the Eagles sure don’t like playing through the air. Instead these birds are more vicious on the ground. Gainwell won’t get a ton of carries, but asking for just eight yards from the Eagles’ backup is criminal. Luckily for us, this version of robbery is legal and we’re ready to pounce on this line.
With an injured Hurts, Gainwell might see some more work to help give Barkley a breather every once in a while. He’s already bested this line in both playoff games and now gets a Washington defense that has shown no resistance against the run.
The Eagles’ offensive line projects similarly to the Lions this week, who just shredded the Commanders on the ground. While that didn’t make a difference in the final score, we’re not worried about who is winning when backing Gainwell. One carry could be enough to cash this wager. Considering he’s totaled at least one in 17-of-19 games, we like our chances.
Ertz’s return to Philadelphia, playoff style. The tight end scored in his first game back at Lincoln Financial Field earlier this season. Now he gets the chance to knock his former employer out of the playoffs. Ertz has been a favorite target for Jayden Daniels, especially in the red zone.
He’s collected a touchdown in three of the last four and now gets a Philadelphia team that was abused by Tyler Higbee last week. The Rams’ tight end collected 7-of-10 targets for 54 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles are no easy task, but Ertz will have the volume and checks in with much better odds than the receivers who will have a more difficult time.
The Eagles have scored just two touchdowns through the air across their first two playoff games. Both of them came against the Packers, with Hurts being held in check last week. Brown has been quiet thus far, even being seen reading a book on the sidelines during the wild-card round.
With Hurts’ injury and Barkley’s odds not worth the price of admission, we’re turning to Brown to finally deliver. He’s averaging 81 yards against Washington this season, scoring once. Also working in our favor, his best game was his last in this matchup. Washington will look to get into a track meet, putting points on the board at warp speed. The Eagles will eventually need to get the passing game going. That starts with Brown.
