NFL Week 1 was an exciting one, but we’re quickly moving on to Week 2. In an NFC matchup between two 1-0 teams, the San Francisco 49ers will be taking on the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 49ers had a dominating Week 1 win over the Lions, but they left the game with a couple of injuries. Raheem Mostert left early will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Starting cornerback Jason Verrett was also lost for the season to an ACL tear.
After an injury-plagued 2020, it’s understandable for 49ers fans to be concerned.
The Eagles also had a dominating Week 1 win, defeating the Falcons 32-6 on the road. While Atlanta is not a good team, Jalen Hurts impressed many, completing 27 of 35 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns.
Philadelphia also averaged 5.6 yards per carry, and, more importantly, the defense kept the Falcons out of the end zone. We will see how they hold up against a team that can run against anyone.
With plenty of interesting matchups in this 49ers vs Eagles game, let’s break it all down and give our official prediction and betting tips for this NFL Week 2 matchup in the NFL pick of the day series.
49ers vs Eagles Best Bet: 49ers -3 (-115) at BetMGM
For in-depth analysis on this NFL bet of the day and others, continue reading. All odds are current as of Friday, September 17.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
Unibet is one of our favorite sportsbooks for NFL betting tips, and we’re excited about their welcome offer: .
Read Juan Carlos Blanco’s Unibet sportsbook review for more tips and insight, and get your welcome bonus below.
49ers vs Eagles Prediction
I’m surprised to see the line is only -3 here, as I expected it to be larger than that. There is an overreaction in each direction of this matchup.
The 49ers dominated the Lions, then took their foot off the gas, which led to Detroit making the final score look competitive. It wasn’t. The loss of Verrett is also a big deal, but it’s less important in this matchup, as the Eagles’ passing game shouldn’t scare anyone, despite what the stats from Week 1 say.
Speaking of stats from Week 1, this Eagles secondary has the numbers to be elite, but they are not there. Darius Slay is a talented cornerback that is capable of taking a receiver out of the game. Unfortunately for them, the 49ers are stacked with weapons, unlike Atlanta.
Either Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk will see non-Slay coverage, which will be the matchup to attack. The Eagles’ front seven is also good, but when they do face an opponent that can run over them as the 49ers can, the entire defense falls apart.
While the 49ers are more talented from top to bottom, I do think they struggle to contain Hurts at times. Still, they should win and cover the spread. The running game on both sides should keep the clock moving and limit possessions, leading to the final score making the game look more competitive than it is.
Betting Pick: 49ers 27, Eagles 22
49ers vs Eagles Best Bets
Best Bet: 49ers -3 (-115) at BetMGM
I expected the line to grow after it was set at -3.5, but instead it shrunk to -3 with slightly lower odds (-115 vs. -110). The 49ers are the more talented team top to bottom, which is reflected in the NFL gameday odds.
The biggest worry for the Eagles is that despite their solid front seven, the 49ers will still be able to breakthrough in the running game. This completely ruins Philadelphia’s defensive plans and scheme and will lead to the 49ers starting the year 2-0 overall and 1-1 against the spread, making this our pick of the day.
Best Bet: Under 49 (-110) at BetMGM
After both teams played arguably two of the worst defenses in the entire NFL, this total may be inflated a little bit. Neither team should be expected to score over 30 points in Week 2.
As stated above, the running game from both sides should keep the clock ticking, limiting possessions. Both teams should also be schemed to keep their matchups in front of them on defense due to secondary issues, limiting the opportunity for massive chunk plays.
When teams have to move methodically down the field, it takes a lot of time, leading to lower-scoring contests.
49ers vs Eagles Same Game Parlay Picks
Total Parlay Odds: +800 at BetMGM
Wager: $10 (win would pay $90)
Halftime/End of Game Result: 49ers/49ers
The 49ers got out to an early lead in Week 1, and the same should happen against the Eagles. San Francisco is capable of running the football against anyone. So, when Philadelphia is incapable of stopping the run, that’s when their secondary is most vulnerable, as it is below average.
Jalen Hurts 30+ Pass Attempts
In a game where the Eagles dominated, Jalen Hurts still attempted 35 passes. This week, they are projected to be losing. In theory, this negative game script usually points to a more pass-heavy approach, which should make this prop relatively safe.
Dallas Goedert 4+ Receptions
If Hurts is going to be passing the ball, Dallas Goedert is going to be involved. Last week, he caught four of his five targets. The 49ers gave up nine receptions to tight ends last week, which should bode well for the TE1 and one of the top receiving targets of Hurts/
Deebo Samuel 55+ Receiving Yards
With plenty of question marks surrounding the role and health of Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel has clearly solidified himself as the WR1 in this offense. In Week 1, he had 48% of his team’s targets, which resulted in 189 yards. He should push for 100 again Sunday.