The Philadelphia Eagles will look to snap a three-game losing streak this Monday night when they invade the Superdome to square off against the struggling New Orleans Saints. This NFC tilt is slated to get underway at 8:30 p.m. (EST) and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

This weekly betting preview is part of an ongoing series where I rely on years of experience covering the Eagles to analyze each week’s matchup and offer a free NFL pick utilizing Doc’s Sports Unit Betting System. When it comes to wagering on the NFL, you should always try and zero in on what you know best. Concentration on a particular team for an entire season has proven to be a profitable part on any betting strategy.

Betting Lines by BetOnline   

Pointspread: New Orleans -3.5
Total Line: 52.5

Game Overview: Philadelphia

The fans are already starting to jump ship in Philly, and for good reason. It has been one mistake after another on both sides of the ball since opening weekend, but now the team is losing games on a regular basis in a 3-4 straight up start. Head coach Andy Reid has already had to fire his defensive coordinator and is now faced with the decision to stick with a struggling Michael Vick or go to rookie quarterback Nick Foles to try and save the season.

This game could be both Reid’s and Vick’s last stand as the patience level from the fans, media, and, most importantly, team owner Jeff Lurie has been worn paper-thin. In the past, the Eagles have been usually able to rally from adversity and certainly have the talent on both sides of the ball to do it again. Desperation has a way of bringing out the best in a team as long as the talent level is still high.

Game Overview: New Orleans

The plight of the Saints has been well documented over the past year or so, and it now appears that their worst fears concerning the impact of the bounty scandal have become a reality. New Orleans 2-5 SU start reeks of a lack of leadership that head coach Sean Payton was able to consistently provide. The team has done its best to rally around leaders such as quarterback Drew Brees but continues to come up short week after week.

Monday night is a crossroads game for New Orleans as well, as another loss would pretty much end any shot at returning to the postseason. The offense remains a potent force behind Brees with the No.1-ranked passing attack in the league, and it is still averaging 27.1 points a game. The problem is they cannot run the ball and the defense cannot keep opposing teams out of the end zone.

Game Betting Trends

The Eagles are 4-1 against the spread in their last five Monday night games but just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a losing record. The total has stayed “under” in their last five games on the road.

The Saints are also 4-1 ATS in their last five appearances on Monday night and 19-8 ATS in their last 27 games following a SU loss. The total has gone “over” in 10 of their last 11 games against the NFC.

Head-to-head, the underdog in this series is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings and the total has gone over in the last five games. Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last five trips to New Orleans and 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings overall.

Game Prediction

I have mirrored the Eagles this season with my picks by digging a huge first-half hole that may be difficult to climb out of. Nonetheless, I will forge on with my prediction for this game. It is painfully obvious that both of these proud franchises desperately need a win to keep their season from completely falling off a cliff. That sort of desperation usually lends itself to a close, hard-fought battle to the bitter end.

That being said, I am going to stick with Philadelphia and the points this week mainly because of the extra half point on a field goal spread as I see this being a three-point game either way. Utilizing Doc’s Sports Service Unit Betting System, I am going with a conservative 2-Unit play on the Eagles covering with the points.

Take #439 Philadelphia (+3.5) over New Orleans for 2 Units

Year-to-Date Record: -15 Units (-$1680)

Doc’s Sports is offering $60 worth of member’s NFL picks absolutely free – no obligation, no sales people – you don’t even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit any way you please for any NFL handicapper on Doc’s Sports Advisory Board list of expert football handicappers. Click here for more details and take advantage of this free $60 picks credit today.