The Philadelphia Eagles sledded their way to a 34-20 victory over Detroit on Sunday to take the outright lead in the NFC East at 8-5 after Dallas started another December on a losing note in a 45-28 loss to Chicago this past Monday night. Both New York and Washington continue to go through the motions as the losses continue to pile up. I went with the “under” in the Redskins 45-10 loss to Kansas City as my pick of the week instead of just going against the Redskins, which has been a profitable strategy the past several weeks. That miscalculation cost me three units, but I am still 11-3 overall and up a healthy $2,900 for the season on a $100 wager.
                                                                                       
Each week of the season I will briefly preview all the games in the NFC East and highlight my top ‘pick of the week’ with the use of Doc’s Sports Unit Betting System. I will be tracking the results of these selections as the season progresses with the goal of ending up with at least a $1,000 profit by the end of the year. Of course, with the success we have had, we have a great chance to finish above $3,000 profit. All lines quoted have been provided by 5Dimes.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m.)

Even a blinding snow storm could not slow down the red-hot Eagles last Sunday. They were able to erase a 14-0 deficit on the strength of LeSean McCoy’s franchise-record 217 yards rushing and a defense that has now held teams to 21 points or less in Philadelphia’s last nine games. Nick Foles threw his first interception of the year after 237 passing attempts without a pick.

The Vikings found themselves on the losing end of wild finish in Baltimore last week in which five touchdowns were scored in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. The 29-26 loss as seven-point road underdogs dropped their overall record to 3-9-1 straight up, but they improved to 6-6-1 against the spread. Adrian Peterson has been listed as day-to-day for Sunday’s game with an injured foot.

Philadelphia has been opened by 5Dimes as a five-point road favorite against the Vikings with the total set at 51.

Washington Redskins vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m.)

The Redskins’ current losing streak reached five games with last Sunday’s loss to Kansas City as 3.5-point home underdogs. They are now 3-10 both SU and ATS. Things have gotten so bad in Washington for embattled head coach Mike Shanahan that it appears to be a foregone conclusion that he will not be back next season. There is also a good chance that the team decides to sit Robert Griffin III for the final three games of the year.

Atlanta’ season has been in the tank since a Week 1 loss to the Saints, and after falling to Green Bay last Sunday 22-21 as 3.5-point road underdogs, the Falcons are now 3-10 SU and 5-8 ATS. Their offense is ranked 22nd in the NFL in scoring with an average of 21.7 points a game, and their defense is 29th in points allowed (27.8).

The Falcons are listed as seven-point home favorites for Sunday’s game, and the total has been set at 51.

Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (Monday, Dec. 15, 4:25 p.m.)

The big question for Green Bay is the availability of Aaron Rodgers for this game. Despite going just 1-4-1 in the six games he has missed, the Packers are just a half a game back in the NFC North at 6-6-1 SU (5-7-1 ATS). If he cannot go, it will once again be up to Matt Flynn to keep this team in the division title race. Last week against Atlanta, Flynn threw for 258 yards and one touchdown while completing 24-of-32 attempts.

Dallas and the month of December just do not mix. This was painfully evident in Monday night’s loss to the Bears in which the defense had no answer for Josh McCown and a Chicago offense that scored on its first eight possessions. Overall, the Cowboys’ defense is ranked dead last in the NFL against the pass and in total yards allowed and 26th in points allowed (26.8), which has completely negated Tony Romo’s heroic efforts to get this team back into the playoffs.

The line for this game remains “off” the board due to the uncertain playing status of Rodgers.

NFC East ‘Pick of the Week’

Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Giants (Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m.)

Seattle remains in excellent position to lay claim to the No. 1 seed in the NFC at 11-2 SU (9-4 ATS), but it comes into this game reeling after last Sunday’s 19-17 loss to rival San Francisco as a 2.5-point road underdog. The Seahawks are clearly the best overall team in the conference with an offense that is fourth in the NFL in points scored (27.5) complementing a defense that is ranked second in points allowed (15.8).

The Giants’ mid-season rally has fizzled out with losses to Dallas and San Diego in their last three games. They are now 5-8 both SU and ATS overall after failing to cover in both of those losses. Turnovers were the main problem in New York’s dismal 0-6 start, but the inability to sustain drives and score points has been an issue with Eli Manning and the Giants’ offense all season long. It has struggled to run the ball, and it is ranked 28th in scoring with just 19.3 points a game.

The Seahawks are listed as 7.5-point road favorites for this game, but it is highly doubtful that New York will be able to keep this closer than a two-touchdown spread. The total has been set at 41.5.

3-Unit Play Take Seattle (-7.5) over New York

YTD Record 11-3 (+$2,900)

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