New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles Odds, Spread, Preview: NFL Week 17 Predictions

By Lawrence Smelser

New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles Week 17 matchup preview and current betting lines

The Saints will head to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Eagles Sunday. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET and the matchup can be seen on FOX.

The Eagles (13-2) currently hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a win would lock them in at the top. The No. 1 seed of the conference will earn a first-round bye in the playoffs and ensure home-field advantage for the entirety of the postseason. 

The Saints (6-9) currently trail the Buccaneers (7-8) and Panthers (6-9). If they can win out and gain some help from their rivals losing, a division title is possible.

Philadelphia star and MVP candidate, quarterback Jalen Hurts, missed last week due to a shoulder injury and practiced on a limited basis Thursday. He holds a questionable tag for the matchup and will be a game-time decision come Sunday.

Nick Sirianni’s team comes into the game after losing 40-34 to the Dallas Cowboys. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew moved the ball into Dallas territory on the last drive of the game but failed to throw the game-winning touchdown.

Dennis Allen’s Saints enter the contest on a high note after beating the Browns 17-10. The team has now won two in a row. 

Oddsmakers at Caesars Sportsbook give the Eagles a 6.5-point edge over the Saints. On the moneyline, New Orleans is +235 and Philadelphia is -292. 

The game total for the contest is set at 42 points. Bettors have put 62% of their bets on the Eagles to cover the spread and 96% of the money on the Saints to win straight up. 

Players to watch in the Saints vs. Eagles contest

New Orleans

Andy Dalton: The journeyman quarterback was named the team’s starter after Jameis Winston’s early struggles. Dalton has thrown for 2,495 yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions this year. He owns the 18th-ranked quarterback rating (52.4) in the NFL.

Philadelphia

Devonta Smith: The former Heisman Trophy winner has exploded this season for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 receptions. Smith has eclipsed 102 yards receiving and has scored four touchdowns in three of his last four outings. 

Our NFL bet of the week for the Saints vs. Eagles

ESTNN is providing bettors with two free selections for this game.

New Orleans vs. Philadelphia Alternate Spread: Eagles (-3.5) @ -179 (Caesars)

Even with a backup quarterback, Philadelphia managed to score 34 points and have a chance at the end to defeat Dallas in Jerry World. The feat was impressive due to the Cowboys (12-4) owning the No. 6 scoring defense and No. 2 unit in terms of sacks.

It’ll be a much easier task against a Saints’ team that has struggled for most of the season and is led by Andy Dalton at quarterback. New Orleans ranks 22nd in points per game (20.2) and 18th in total offense (337.1 yards per contest). 

The defense sits ninth in total defense allowing 322.4 yards per game. The unit has struggled in allowing other teams to score points. It is 14th in the NFL allowing opponents’ to score 21.7 PPG.

The Eagles boast too many weapons for New Orleans to contain. Running back Miles Sanders is having a career year and speedy receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith pose plenty of problems for opposing secondaries.

Philadelphia boasts the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL (29.7 PPG) and is No. 3 in yards per game (397.3). On the other side of the ball, it owns the second-ranked total defense (301.9 yards per game) and is surrendering 20.5 points per outing (10th). 

The Eagles are 8-7 against the spread this year and are 5-1 ATS in their last six contests against NFC South opponents. New Orleans is 6-9 ATS this campaign and 1-4 ATS in its previous five matchups against Philadelphia. 

The Saints are 2-5 away from home while the Eagles sit at 6-1 when playing hosts. Our pick is to take the Eagles to cover an alternate 3.5-point spread at -179 odds on Caesars Sportsbook.

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Saints vs. Eagles odds: Miles Sanders anytime touchdown scorer 1.5 @ +100 (Bet365)

The Penn State product hasn’t scored in his last two outings but has managed to reach the end zone five times in his prior three games. Sanders has scored 11 touchdowns this season which is the sixth-most in the NFL.

The former second-round pick has scored in eight of 15 games this season but will match up against a Saints’ defense that ranks 23rd against the run and is allowing opponents to rush for 132 yards per game.

Many models feature the Eagles taking care of business and this promotes a positive game script that includes Sanders receiving many carries.

If Jalen Hurts is healthy enough to play Sirianni will likely reduce his rush attempt to preserve his shoulder. If Minshew starts, he won’t run often since he isn’t a dual-threat quarterback.

Our pick is to bet Sanders as an anytime touchdown scorer on Bet365 sportsbook at even money. If you’re interested in learning about more prop bets for week 17, read our NFL player props page.

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