San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Both the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles head into Week 8 looking for a big win. For the 49ers, a win against the Eagles would be their first of the season. They have struggled mightily and haven’t been able to finish a game all season. For the Eagles, they will be looking to move to 7-1 and remain the best team in the NFL.
San Francisco heads into the game with a lot of uncertainty at the quarterback position, but running back Carlos Hyde has been a bright spot for their offense. He has run hard all season and has shown in a contract year that he is worthy of a new deal. However, Hyde will enter Philadelphia and face a defense that dominates against the run.
Philadelphia currently has the NFL MVP halfway through the season, quarterback Carson Wentz. The second-year signal-caller has dominated all season, and his 17 touchdown passes lead the NFL. If the 49ers have any chance of winning the game, they will need to get after Wentz and slow him down. One team is the best in the NFL, and one is the worst, but in the NFL; anything is possible on any given Sunday.
49ers Keys To Victory
Get after Wentz: If the 49ers can get after Wentz and get him to the ground, they have a shot at winning.
Throw the ball, a lot: Hyde is their offense, but the Eagles are weak in the secondary. San Francisco needs to air it out on Sunday if they want to pick up their first win.
Change the momentum: It is likely that the Eagles will have momentum a lot in this game so the 49ers need to pull out a trick play (or two) to try and steal the momentum. A lot can happen in a football game when the momentum changes.
Eagles Keys To Victory:
Stop the run: If the Eagles can shutdown Hyde, they should easily walk into Week 9 7-1.
Let Wentz be Wentz: He is the front runner for NFL MVP because the Eagles have let him do his own thing. They should continue that trend on Sunday and let him air it out.
Run the ball: If the Eagles can get their running game going, watch out; this game could be a blowout and Eagles fans will be going home pumped up as their team remains the top dog in the NFL.
Odds
Point Spread: Philadelphia -13
Moneyline: Philadelphia -725 San Francisco +560
Over/Under: 47.5
Next: NFL Week 8: One burning question for each team
Prediction
If the Eagles do not walk away 7-1, I would be in shock. The 49ers are not on the same level as Philadelphia and this one could be ugly. Wentz will continue to show he is the NFL MVP.
Pick: San Francisco 49ers: 17, Philadelphia Eagles: 38