What Are the Eagles’ Playoff Odds Heading Into Week 8?

The Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff odds are dwindling after an embarrassing Week 7 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Nothing has gone right in the City of Brotherly Love so far, and head coach Nick Sirianni is searching for answers.

Can the Philadelphia Eagles soar during the second half of the season and clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs? First, let’s look at the current NFL betting lines and see if the Eagles are poised to take flight.

Growing Pains or Plateau for Hurts?

When the Eagles drafted Jalen Hurts in 2020 with the 53rd overall pick, many had high hopes for the Heisman Trophy finalist. Many still do.

Patience is a virtue, but patience is hard to find among football fans and gamblers. There’s no doubt Hurts is struggling during his first season as an NFL starting quarterback.

Coming into Week 8, he’s thrown for 1,716 yards, 10 TDs, and four interceptions. While these stats place Hurts as a middle-of-the-pack NFL QB, consider that he’s padding his stats during “garbage time.”

While Hurts went 18-for-34 for 236 yards and two touchdowns in Week 7, he accumulated most of those stats during the final quarter. By then, the Raiders established a 30-7 lead and total dominance.

Hurts must learn how to play a full 60 minutes for the Eagles to earn a playoff birth.

Cheese Whiz Defense

When the Eagles hired Nick Sirianni, he brought with him the youngest coaching staff in the NFL. Jonathan Gannon, who served as the Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach, joined as defensive coordinator.

Gannon transformed the Eagles’ defense from an aggressive attack to a passive scheme. So naturally, the players aren’t happy.

Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox voiced his displeasure with Gannon’s philosophy. Cox believes the Eagles defense must play more aggressively to turn the season around.

Are Sirianni and Gannon flexible enough to fix what isn’t working?

Week 8 Can Start the Rally

Despite only winning two games so far, the Eagles aren’t in the worst position. Why? During the second half of the season, they play only two teams with a record above .500.

They are in a fantastic position to start their rally this week against a rebuilding Detroit Lions team. The Eagles head to the Motor City as 3-point road favorites looking to build their confidence.

If Hurts and the defense can get going against a Lions team in transition, the Eagles’ odds to make the playoffs will improve given their relatively weak schedule.

Should the Eagles win big, look for them as possible favorites in seven of their last nine games.

Eagles’ Playoff Odds Are Not as Long as You’d Think

If Hurts can play a consistent 60-minute game and the defense finds its groove, the Eagles are in a position to make a surprising second-half push.

The sky isn’t falling, Philly fans. A convincing win this week will improve the Eagles’ playoff odds.

Do you like the Eagles this week? BetMGM offers the best experience in Pennsylvania sports betting. Sign up now, and you’ll receive a risk-free first bet of up to $1,000.