Eagles open Week 13 as home underdogs vs. 49ers

The Philadelphia Eagles have been underdogs just once this season so far, which didn't work out so well for the opposing team. The Eagles entered Week 11 as 2.5-point road underdogs against the Kansas City Chiefs. They ended up beating the Chiefs 21-17. Now heading into Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, the Eagles […]

Kelsey Kramer — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer

Nov 29, 2023 10:44 AM EST

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver DeVonta Smith walk off the field after overtime win against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field. — Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles have been underdogs just once this season so far, which didn't work out so well for the opposing team.

The Eagles entered Week 11 as 2.5-point road underdogs against the Kansas City Chiefs.

They ended up beating the Chiefs 21-17.

Now heading into Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, the Eagles are underdogs for the second time this season … at the Linc.

That's just disrespectful.

FanDuel Sportsbook has the Niners favored to win by 2.5 points.

Don't Doubt the Gritty Eagles

The last time these two teams met wasn't that long ago in the NFC Championship.

It was a one-sided blood bath as the Eagles came out on top 31-7.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy started the game, but an early elbow injury caused Jimmy Garroppolo to finish it.

Purdy will enter this "title rematch" on Sunday with a healthy arm. He leads the NFL in passer rating (112.3), yards per attempt (9.4) and completion percentage (70.2).

While that's all fine and dandy for him, what matters in this league is winning and the Niners are 8-3, while the Birds are 10-1.

So, why did the oddsmakers make the best team in the league underdogs?

It could be because the 49ers have an overall better offense (1st) and defense rank (6th). In addition to their rankings, the Niners are coming off a few days of extra rest after not playing since Thanksgiving. That alone could give the 49ers an edge.

Or maybe it's because Eagles' linebacker Haason Reddick has challenged the Niners to bring their A-game and prove themselves after last year's blowout.

"Talk is cheap," Reddick told reporters after the Eagles' overtime win against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Week 12. "They get to come back in the Linc. It was a lot of boo hoos last year, a lot of crying, a lot of what if, a lot of this, a lot of that.

"They get a chance to come back in here, line that s–t up and prove it again."

Sure, that's not a real reason for the line movement, but it's still a great challenge by Reddick and makes this matchup even more exciting.

Whatever the sportsbooks' reason for betting against the best NFL teams is, I personally wouldn't doubt this gritty Eagles team that's on the verge of officially securing a playoff spot as early as this Sunday.