Steve Maltepes, known as “The Philly Godfather,” will impart his gambling wisdom on the Eagles and where the smart money is going on various pro football games each weekend this season. Maltepes is one of the nation’s hottest sports betting experts who appears weekly on national radio and has his own website, www.thephillygodfather.com [thephillygodfather.com].
Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) at Los Angeles Rams (5-5), 8:20 p.m. Sunday
The Line: Eagles minus-3/Total: 48.5
What is the line telling you:
The market opened with the Eagles originally as a 2.5-point road favorites and has moved up to as high as minus-3, with the combined total set at 48, with a half-point move there. Oddsmakers are expecting points, which is surprising, considering the Eagles’ defense has been playing lights out the last six games. As of right now, they have let up the third lowest amount of points in the NFC and fourth-least in the entire NFL. When you look at the Eagle’s six-game winning streak, other than the Washington Commanders, their opponent’s cumulative record was 13-25, while the Rams have actually played tougher competition and won four of the last five games. The Rams have a quality win over the 8-2 Vikings. Anytime a team goes cross country on the road, especially against a Super Bowl-winning coach like Sean McVay, and a Super Bowl-winning quarterback like Matt Stafford, it’s never easy.
Bottom line:
The Rams have the better coach and the better quarterback, and the Eagles are overvalued going into this game. With the Rams plus-3, you are on that key number where almost 70% of all NFL games fall on. I like the home dog here. I think they will cover the spread. This will be one of those games that whatever team has the ball last wins. We will take the three points on a coin flip every time.
Prop bets for the game
Jalen Hurts over 220.5 passing yards, minus-110
Saquon Barkley anytime touchdown, minus-170
Cooper Kupp anytime touchdown, plus-155
AROUND THE NFL
San Francisco 49ers (5-5) at Green Bay Packers (7-3), 4:25 p.m. Sunday
The Line: Packers minus-3/Total: 46.5
What is the line telling you:
This is a huge game for both teams. The Niners are looking up at the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. The Packers are trying to keep up with the Lions and the Vikings. Both teams rank in the top 10 in turnover margin. Green Bay ranks slightly higher.
Bottom line:
I like the Packers here for anything under a field goal. Most sportsbooks have the Packers as a minus-2. There are some 2.5 out there in the market with the rumors of Brock Purdy possibly not playing and listed as questionable. It’s a good number to jump on. The Packers are the healthier team entering this matchup with a plus-7 health score and a plus-12 health score on defense. The Packers have revenge on their minds from last year’s playoff loss to the Niners. Obviously, the Super Bowl hangover is real. This is it for the Niners. When they lose on Sunday, their season will be over. They will have five games left against some good teams: Buffalo, the Dolphins, Detroit, the Rams and Arizona. This is a big game for the Packers, and an even bigger game for the Niners. We like the Packers minus-3.
(Betting lines are subject to change.)
