Barring a miracle, Philadelphia is going to miss the playoffs for the first time since 1999, coach Andy Reid's first season at the helm. Conversely, Seattle can cinch its second consecutive division title and third playoff berth in a row with a win.
That sounds like a recipe for another Monday night mismatch when the Eagles and Seahawks lock up at Lincoln Financial Field. However, two factors may keep the score close.
Philadelphia, unlike some other losing teams in the NFL, has not yet given up the fight. Though the Eagles are 1-3 since Terrell Owens' controversial departure, they have been in all four games. Three of those losses have occurred by an average of six points.
Philadelphia has also been a tough customer at home, winning four of five. The Eagles are only 2-4 in their last six as underdogs, but they cashed at an 18-5-2 clip previously as short-enders.
Seattle has a chance to match the franchise record for consecutive victories when it visits the defending conference champs. The Seahawks own the top record in the NFC at 9-2, matching the best start in franchise history.
However, traveling east has not been kind to Seattle. The Seahawks are 7-13 under coach Mike Holmgren on the other coast, dropping six of their last seven.
Seattle led at halftime of its season opener at Jacksonville before losing 26-14. The club also lost in overtime at Washington when Josh Brown's field goal attempt clanged off the left upright on the last play of regulation.
The Seahawks have been involved in more than their fair share of nail-biters this year, with five of their wins coming by six points or less.
Philadelphia snapped a four-game losing skid at home last week when it came from behind to beat Green Bay, 19-14. The Eagles ran the ball (34) more than they passed it (28) for the first time this season. Philadelphia's run-pass ratio is almost 50 percent since Mike McMahon took over for Donovan McNabb at quarterback.
Shaun Alexander, who has four straight 100-yard games and eight this season, faces an Eagles defense that is ranked 16th in the league against the run.
Philadelphia entered the season with a 6-2 record on Monday night under Reid, but it has already lost this season to Atlanta and Dallas. The Eagles have cashed 20 of their last 28 against teams from the NFC-West.
The Seahawks have been on the high side in eight of nine on the road when the total was between 35 1/2 and 42 and in 13 of 15 overall with the same numbers in play.
Most offshore books opened Seattle as a three-point favorite, with the total set at 42.
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