By: Q.
Smyth - Senior Editor Wager On Football.com
Philadelphia
(13-1-0) at St. Louis (6-8-0)
Monday, December 27, 2004 9:00:00 PM EDT
Field - Turf of Edward Jones Dome
St. Louis are 2.5 point underdogs. The total for this
game has been set at 47.
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(Dec. 22, 2004)
-- The Philadelphia Eagles have spent the past few days
wondering if they'll have Terrell Owens back in time for
the Super Bowl -- and if they can make it there without
him.
They'll take the field without their dynamic
All-Pro wideout for the first time this season when they
go on the road to face the St. Louis Rams, who are desperate
for a win in their pursuit of an NFC playoff spot.
Owens was acquired this past offseason to
help the Eagles get over the hump after three straight
losses in the NFC title game, including crushing home
defeats in each of the last two seasons. He more than
lived up to his end of the bargain through 15 weeks, accumulating
teams bests of 77 catches, 1,200 receiving yards and 14
touchdowns.
But Owens' season, and the Eagles hopes
of an elusive Super Bowl title hit a snag in the road
against Dallas. Owens had two ankle ligaments torn, including
one damaged all the way up to a fracture a few inches
below his knee, after being taken down by Dallas safety
Roy Williams during Philadelphia's 12-7 win over the Cowboys.
Owens had surgery to insert two screws in
the ankle, and has not ruled out a return to the field
in six weeks, which would coincide with the Super Bowl
in Jacksonville.
"While it is not unreasonable to hope
that he returns to play in six weeks, it is not something
we would expect," Dr. Mark Myerson said.
Owens, who was named to his fifth Pro Bowl
this week, will be missed by an Eagles' offense that lacks
starpower beyond that of veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb.
But Philadelphia insists that the loss of its top weapon
won't stop it from pursuing its ultimate goal.
"Yes, it's tough losing a guy like
T.O., but the season's not over," said McNabb, who
was also named to the Pro Bowl.
Philadelphia has already wrapped up home-field
advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, and is just looking
to remain healthy and stay sharp for a long postseason
run.
Without Owens, the Eagles will be left with
a receiving corps of Freddie Mitchell, Greg Lewis and
Todd Pinkston. Those three have a combined 60 catches
for 1,073 yards and one touchdown this season.
The Eagles do have a healthy Brian Westbrook,
who missed last year's postseason with an injury and has
emerged as one of the more dangerous running backs in
the league. Tight ends L.J. Smith and Chad Lewis are also
reliable options.
"We have the full confidence in the
rest of the guys stepping up and making the big plays
when we need it," McNabb said.
Without Marc Bulger in the lineup, Marshall Faulk and
the Rams offense has been stifled.
The sputtering Rams have lost four of their last five,
but are just one game behind Seattle for first place in
the mediocre NFC West and locked in a four-way tie for
the final wild-card berth in the conference.
The Rams had a chance to take control of
the division race in Week 15, but suffered an embarrassing
31-7 loss in Arizona.
"We didn't see this coming," Rams
wide receiver Torry Holt admitted. "If there was
any game on the schedule that we felt confident about
coming in and winning, it would be Arizona."
With starting quarterback Marc Bulger out
with a shoulder injury, 39-year-old Chris Chandler lasted
just one quarter for the Rams before he was replaced by
Jamie Martin, who saw his first regular-season action
in two years.
Martin was signed by the Rams earlier this
month when Bulger was injured. St. Louis coach Mike Martz
put much of the blame on Chandler, saying the veteran
quarterback threw the ball on a run play on the first
series and made other elementary mistakes.
"It's tragic for this football team,
for that position to hold this whole football team hostage,"
Martz said, "but that's where we are."
Martin completed 16 of 31 passes for 188
yards without an interception after Chandler went 1 for
6 with one pick.
Bulger, who is out with a bone bruise in
his throwing shoulder, insists he will return to the field
Monday night to help the Rams restart their playoff charge.
He was upgraded to probable.
STANDINGS: Eagles -- 1st place, NFC East.
Rams -- 2nd place, NFC West.
EAGLES LEADERS: Offense -- McNabb, 3,839
passing yards and 30 passing TDs; Westbrook, 812 rushing
yards; Owens, 1,200 receiving yards; Dorsey Levens, 4
rushing TDs; Owens, 77 receptions and 14 receiving TDs.
Defense -- Michael Lewis and Sheldon Brown, 83 tackles;
Jevon Kearse, 7.5 sacks; Lito Sheppard, 5 INTs.
RAMS LEADERS: Offense -- Bulger, 3,289 passing
yards and 17 passing TDs; Marshall Faulk, 705 rushing
yards; Bulger and Faulk, 3 rushing TDs; Holt, 1,181 receiving
yards, 80 receptions and 8 receiving TDs. Defense -- Pisa
Tinoisamoa, 85 tackles; Bryce Fisher, 5.5 sacks; Jerametrius
Butler, 5 INTs.
EAGLES TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense -- 105.6
yards per game (22nd in NFL); Passing Offense -- 260.2
ypg (5th); Total Offense -- 365.8 ypg (6th). Rushing Defense
-- 110.4 ypg (11th); Passing Defense -- 203.0 ypg (12th);
Total Defense -- 313.4 ypg (10th).
RAMS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense -- 97.7
ypg (26th); Passing Offense -- 257.7 ypg (6th); Total
Offense -- 355.4 ypg (9th). Rushing Defense -- 137.0 ypg
(26th); Passing Defense -- 211.1 ypg (15th); Total Defense
-- 348.1 ypg (22nd).
LAST MEETING: Dec. 1, 2002; Eagles, 10-3.
At Philadelphia, the Eagles' defense had eight sacks and
forced five turnovers, limiting St. Louis to 250 yards
of total offense.
STREAKS AND NOTES: Eagles -- The Eagles
have won seven of the last eight meeting with the Rams.
... Philadelphia needs one more win to establish a new
franchise record and become just the fourth team in NFL
history to go undefeated in conference play. The Eagles'
only loss this year came at AFC-leading Pittsburgh, and
they finish the season against interconference rival Cincinnati.
... Coach Andy Reid is 8-1 all-time on Monday night. Rams
-- The Rams are 8-0 in December home games under Martz.
... WR Isaac Bruce needs four more catches for his fourth
career 80-reception season. ... DE Leonard Little, who
scored on a 61-yard fumble return last week, had his request
to have a felony drunken driving charge thrown out rejected
by the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday. He is scheduled
to go on trial March 28.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Eagles -- 6-1 on the
road; Rams -- 4-2 at home.
Ciaran's Handicapping Notes:
C. McDermott - Wager On Football Handicapper
Monday Night Football Betting Situations
Note: These situations are based upon regular season games
only!
With home field clinched through the NFC
playoffs and with injuries piling up, the Eagles may barely
resemble the team Monday night that has compiled a 13-1
mark.
Terrell Owens is out and so is half the defense. Others
can use a break and may get it when Philly visits St.
Louis.
The injury situation and uncertainty around
Ram QB Marc Bulger kept this game off the board early
in the week. Expect the Eagles to open as small road chalk
when it finally gets posted.
Last time out, the Eagles defeated Dallas
12-7 as 11.5-point favorites. That contest went under
the closing total and highlighted their offensive woes
in the second half when Owens went down.
Meanwhile, at Sun Devil Stadium, the favorite
Rams were getting pounded by Arizona 31-7. The game was
a Arizona cover and an under play and imperilled the Rams'
playoff chances..
Philadelphia most recently...
After a win are 9-1
After playing Cowboys are 6-4
When playing outside division are 8-2
When they are evenodds on the road are 0-2
After outgaining opponent are 8-1
When playing in December are 8-2
St. Louis most recently...
After a loss are 5-4
After playing Cardinals are 6-4
Before playing Jets are 0-1
When playing outside division are 2-8
When they are evenodds at home are 2-1
After being outgained by opponent are 5-4
When playing in December are 6-4
Does the potentially care-free nature of
this game make it an OVER candidate? Check the line updates
and matchup report details to handicap the game.
Some trends to consider:
Philadelphia are 1-4-0 OU in their last 5 games
Philadelphia are 2-6-0 OU in their last 8 away
Philadelphia are 2-4-1 ATS in their last 7 games after
being 10.5 to 14 point favorites
Philadelphia are 2-4-0 OU in their last 6 games against
St. Louis
St. Louis are 2-4-0 OU in their last 6 games
St. Louis are 2-4-0 OU in their last 6 games against Philadelphia
St. Louis are 2-5-0 ATS in their last 7 home games
St. Louis are 6-15-0 SU in their last 21 games after being
.5 to 3 point favorites
Fantasy Matchup Angle - by Dave
Bachman
You want versatility? Since Week 10, Eagles
RB Brian Westbrook has gained 337 yards and scored twice
as a runner and accounted for 450 yards and six touchdowns
as a receiver. His role with WR Terrell Owens out will
become even more important. Now’s not the time you
want to bench him.
The Eagles have gained home-field advantage
throughout the playoffs and have little incentive to expose
any more of their stars to injury. With that in mind,
it certainly wouldn't be surprising to see QB Donovan
McNabb and RB Brian Westbrook have their minutes trimmed
against the Rams. For St. Louis, QB Marc Bulger (probable)
will return from a sprained shoulder that has kept him
out the past two games. His presence should increase the
value of WRs Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce and both players
are must-starts. RB Marshall Faulk is no better than a
No. 3 option, as the oft-injured veteran will have a tough
time running against the Eagles.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES: The Eagles are a perfect 11-0 against NFC opponents
and can accomplish a rare feat with a win Monday night.
With a victory, Philadelphia will be only the fourth team
since the adoption of the AFC and NFC conferences in 1970
to finish a season undefeated against conferences foes.
They would join a group of perhaps three of the greatest
teams in NFL history – the 1972 Miami Dolphins,
1984 San Francisco 49ers and 1985 Chicago Bears to accomplish
that feat.
