When the Seahawks (11-5) travel to take on the Eagles (9-7) in Philadelphia for Sunday’s NFC wild-card playoff game (4:40 p.m. ET, NBC), it will be a matchup of a disappointed wild card vs. a thrilled division champion. The No. 5 Seahawks settled for second in the NFC West behind the 49ers, while the No. 4 Eagles edged the Cowboys to take the NFC East.
The Seahawks faced the Eagles on the road in Week 12, winning an ugly battle of attrition, 17-9. Both teams have tried to overcome various injury issues all season and will need to do so again in the rematch.
Here’s everything to know about betting on Seahawks vs. Eagles in the NFL playoffs, including updated odds, trends and our expert’s prediction for the NFC wild-card game.
MORE: Get the latest NFL odds & betting trends at Sports Insider
Seahawks vs. Eagles odds for NFL playoffs
Spread: Seahawks by 1.5
Point total: 45
Odds: Seahawks -105, Eagles -115
The Seahawks have been slight favorites since the lines were released, thanks to their previous solid victory in Philadelphia and a record that’s a strong two games better. The Seahawks with Wilson and coach Pete Carroll also have a recent track record of performing well in East Coast road games.
Seahawks vs. Eagles all-time series
The Seahawks, with their win in November, now hold a 10-7 edge in the avian rivalry. They also have won five consecutive games and seven of eight against the Eagles. The last time Philadelphia won, it was in Seattle in November of 2008, well before both Carroll and Wilson led the Seahawks.
Three trends to know
— The Seahawks were only 7-7-2 against the spread during the regular season. The Eagles were 7-9.
— The Eagles and Seahawks both had exactly half (8 of 16) of their respective games go over the point total.
— The Seahawks are 1-3 straight up and against the spread in the past four games.
Three things to watch
Wilson to Lockett and Metcalf
The Eagles will be without cornerback Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills, Sidney Jones and Avonte Maddox are all playing hurt at the posiiton. The Seahawks got savvy veteran Tyler Lockett and promising rookie DK Metcalf going together again in the finale against the 49ers. The Seahawks have a depleted makeshift backfield against a tough Eagles’ run defense. The game plan needs to adjust to be more about Wilson throwing early to take advantage of Lockett’s and Metcalf’s ability to both stretch the field and get open in the red zone.
Wentz to … someone
The Eagles are down to converted college QB Greg Ward as their top wideout Tight end Zach Ertz (back, ribs) is set to play at much less than 100 percent. Between Ward, tight ends Dallas Goedert and Josh Perkins and running backs Miles Sanders and Boston Scott, Wentz needs to exploit the most favorable matchups. The Seahawks have cornerback Shaquill Griffin healthy, but they have been vulnerable against tight ends all season, even after trading for former Lion Quandre Diggs, who’s now back healthy, too. The Seahawks are strong at linebacker even without former Eagle Mychal Kendricks, but Sanders and Scott can cause problems with their quickness.
The Eagles have taken advantage of their sudden intermediate committee approach to keep defenses guessing a little and found some downfield juice in the process. The Seahawks need to be prepared for anything from their underdog hosts offensively.
“Beast Mode” back in the playoffs
Marshawn Lynch will be relentless running and helping rookie Travis Homer as they both try to fill the big backfield void of Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. Penny burned the Eagles’ with one long TD run that made the difference in the first meeting. Don’t be surprised if Lynch makes a key thunderous run or gets a key TD even if the yardage overall on the ground is limited.
Stat that matters
The Eagles have the No. 3 red zone scoring offense, getting TDs 66.7 percent of the time. The Seahawks struggle in red zone defense, ranked 26th in allowing opponents to score TDs 61.5 percent of the time. It might be hard to Philadelphia get inside the Seattle 20, but when it does, it has the passing game to punch it in. Wilson needs to be ready to finish drives to match.
Seahawks vs. Eagles prediction
The Seahawks are healthier in the key matchups and their wide receivers and Lynch can be a big difference, making more big plays with Wilson than the Eagles can do around Wentz. The Seahawks’ defense is better position to make an impact play up front with Eagles’ offensive line missing Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson. Seattle is bound to play a close game, and its experience pulling out nail-biters all season long pays off here again.
Seahawks 20, Eagles 17
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