NFL Predictions Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, 10/2/11, 1:00 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Philadelphia -8.5
Current Betting Line: Philadelphia -9.5
Opening Total: 44.5
Current Total: 43.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Philadelphia Eagles have dropped consecutive games entering this home contest Sunday

San Francisco is 2-0-1 ATS on the year and came away with a 13-8 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week as 1.5-point road underdogs. The 49ers offense has been terrible this year, which has led to the team being out-gained in all three contests this year. The defense has carried this team, especially in allowing just 228 total yards versus the Bengals. The unit will face a huge test in facing a versatile Philadelphia offense that possesses quarterback Michael Vick. “We all know he’s a play-maker and can make a difference in the game,” commented 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis. San Francisco is 7-8 ATS on the road and 0-2 ATS versus the NFC East division.

The 49ers are needing a big game from running back Frank Gore, but he’s coming off an ankle injury that hampered him last week versus the Bengals. San Francisco will likely still go to the run due to Philadelphia coming into the contest as the 30th-ranked defense against the run. The team will be looking for consecutive road wins for the first time since 2006. It’s never easy to travel east, but the franchise may have done a smart thing by remaining in Ohio for a week after its win over Cincinnati.

Philadelphia has lost consecutive games since picking up a season-opening win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Eagles have out-gained all three of their opponents this year and will likely bounce back against an opponent it has beaten five-straight times. Philadelphia came away with a 27-24 win in last year’s meeting as three-point road underdogs, holding the 49ers to just 74 rushing yards. Kevin Kolb got the start under center that game, but now he’s in Arizona. Over the last two-plus seasons, the team is 14-13 ATS as a favorite and 8-10 ATS at home.

The Eagles will likely hand the ball off plenty to running back LeSean McCoy, who leads the NFC with 345 rushing yards through three games. He is averaging an incredible 6.1 yards per carry and leads the entire league with four rushing touchdowns. Offensively, Vick is nicked up with a bruised non-throwing hand, but has been vocal in saying that he’ll be ready to go. “I just want to be there for my teammates,” he commented this week. The dual-threat quarterback has thrown for 605 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.