Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Philadelphia Eagles are 6-2 both straight up and against the spread in their last eight road games and 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games as road dogs. But the Arizona Cardinals are 5-1 both SU and ATS in their last six games against the NFC East and 4-0 ATS in their last four games against Philly. In an NFL avian matchup, the Eagles battle the Cardinals Sunday afternoon in suburban Phoenix.

Point spread: Cardinals opened as 2.5-point favorites; the total was 48 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 32.5-29.7 Eagles

Why the Eagles can cover the spread

The Eagles are off to a 5-1 (4-2 ATS) start after beating the Giants two weeks ago 27-0, easily covering as one-point favorites. Philly then had last week off. After getting outgained their previous three games, the Eagles took it to the Giants, grabbing a 20-0 halftime lead and outgaining New York 448-254.

And after struggling to run the ball for the previous month or so, Philly piled up 203 yards on the ground against the Giants. Meanwhile, the Eagles defense pitched its first shutout in 18 years. Also, Philly just beat the Cardinals last December 24-21 at Lincoln Financial Field

Why the Cardinals can cover the spread

The Cardinals are also off to a 5-1 (4-2 ATS) start after winning at Oakland last week 24-13 and covering as four-point road favorites. Arizona outgained the Raiders 365-220, outrushed them 123-56 and won time of possession by a 37-23 margin. That's how you win games and cover spreads in the NFL.

Quarterback Carson Palmer had his second straight solid outing since returning from a shoulder injury, and now owns a 6-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio for the season. And the Cardinals defense, while ranking 18th overall, leads the league against the run, giving up just 73 yards per game. Arizona lost at Philly last year but outgained the Eagles 350-307 and covered the spread as a four-point road dog.

Smart pick

This should be a good one and a possible preview of an upcoming NFC playoff game. Philly is more explosive on offense, but Arizona, despite some injuries, is tougher on defense. And in cases like this, the smart money should go with the better defense. So the Cardinals are the pick, a home team at a short spread.

Betting trends

• The total has gone over in eight of Philadelphia's last 11 games on the road.
• Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.

All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark. Follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.