SNF Week 4: Eagles vs. 49ers odds, preview & prediction

The San Francisco 49ers (2-1) have reeled off two straight double-digit victories over the winless Jets and Giants following a Week 1 upset loss to the Cardinals. They’ll try to make lightning strike for a third time as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles (0-2-1) in primetime (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC).

Injuries wreaking havoc on Niners’ offense

An ankle injury could keep San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on the sidelines for a second straight game. Nick Mullens has been serviceable in relief (70.2% completion rate, 8.8 yards per attempt, 1-1 touchdown-interception ratio), but there’s a reason he’s No. 2 on the depth chart.

The 49ers are also thin at running back – Tevin Coleman (knee) has been placed on short-term injured reserve, Raheem Mostert (knee) could miss a second straight game, and Jerick McKinnon (ribs) is considered day-to-day. Kyle Shanahan and company are hopeful that tight end George Kittle (knee) can suit up for the first time since Week 1 with Jordan Reed potentially out 6-8 weeks (MCL sprain). 

Wentz, Eagles underachieving and undermanned again

Philadelphia signal caller Carson Wentz appears to be regressing in his fifth year in the league. He has a 63.9 passer rating through three games, which ranks last among all qualified quarterbacks. Wentz has already thrown six interceptions in 2020 – he tossed just seven in each of his last three seasons.

Wentz’s task will become much more difficult without tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle), the team leader in receptions through Week 3 (12), who has been ruled out. Wide-out DeSean Jackson is also nursing a hamstring strain.

Two elite defenses go toe-to-toe

The Niners are third in total defense (304 yards allowed per game) and fifth in yards allowed per play (4.83), while the Eagles are fifth in total defense (330.7 yards per game) and fourth in yards allowed per play (4.79). This data suggests that these two offenses will have a hard time moving the chains regardless of their overall health. 

Can bettors trust the trends?

Putting faith in the trends for these two undermanned clubs is probably not a good idea. For what it’s worth, this is a good spot for both teams against the spread. The Eagles have covered in five of their last seven as road underdogs, while the Niners are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games as betting favorites.

Most of the total trends favor the Over, but again, these two squads are really banged-up on offense. The Under is 4-1 in Philly’s last five games as an underdog, and 5-2 in San Francisco’s last seven games played in October.

Predicted final score: 49ers 20, Eagles 17

NFL SNF pick: Under