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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

NFL Week 17 picks: Who the experts are taking in Eagles vs. Cardinals

The Eagles and Cardinals are set to meet in a Week 17 matchup with plenty of crucial storylines.

After serving as Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator the previous two seasons (2021-22), Jonathan Gannon will face his former team for the first time as a head coach.

Arizona leads the all-time series 58-56-5, and the Cardinal’s 58 regular season wins vs. Philadelphia are more than they have against any other NFL franchise.

With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at who the NFL experts pick in this matchup.

NFL.com --Eagles

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, U.S.; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws while pressured by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports

The experts at NFL.com are picking Philadelphia.

The Eagles have been working out the kinks for, well, too long, and it’s bound to catch up to them. But not yet. Philly’s struggling defense has an opportunity for that get-right game against Kyler Murray, who has underwhelmed in his return, logging career lows in many passing and rushing categories. I also expect to see a heavy dose of D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Gainwell against Arizona’s 32nd-ranked run D — which should allow the pass game to open up for Jalen Hurts to potentially force feed a disgruntled A.J. Brown. Even with Jonathan Gannon knowing the Eagles better than most others who come into the Linc, Philly should head into the new year on a goo

Pro Football Talk -- Eagles

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, U.S.; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) yells towards the fans before playing against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Florio and company are picking Philadelphia.

Cardinals at Eagles (-11)

The Eagles can’t afford to slip up now.

Florio: Eagles, 34-17.

Simms: Eagles, 27-21.

Bleacher Report--Cardinals

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis (90) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Four of the seven experts at Bleacher Report are picking the Cardinals to cover.

33rd Team--Eagles

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, U.S.; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports

The experts at The 33rd Team are picking Philadelphia.

USA Today--Eagles

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) catches a pass against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson (20) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The experts at USA Today are picking the Eagles.

The Sporting News -- Eagles

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, U.S.; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebackers Isaiah Simmons (9) and Zaven Collins (25) during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports

The Sporting News is picking the Eagles.

The Cardinals are 1-3 ATS as a double-digit underdog, but the Eagles have shown enough issues on defense that it’s possible for Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts to engage in a shootout for at least three quarters. Philadelphia is 0-5 ATS when favored by more than six points this season. At some point they will break that trend, but the Cardinals find a way to hit the back-door cover late.

Pick: Eagles 29, Cardinals 18

The MMQB--Eagles

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) talks with offensive coordinator Shane Steichen against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The crew at MMQB is picking Philadelphia.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-Eagles

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, U.S.; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2) runs for a touchdown after a catch against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports

Gerry Dulac is picking Philadelphia big.

Arizona Cardinals (3-12) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-4), 1 p.m. – The Eagles need a couple cupcakes after their three-game losing streak, and they get another with the Cardinals, though don’t tell that to the Steelers. They can still be the top seed in the NFC, but they need some help from the 49ers.

Prediction: Eagles, 33-12

The Inquirer --Eagles

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) catches a pass against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson (20) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

All four experts at The Inquirer are picking the Eagles.

Despite some Eagles protests about fans at the Linc chanting, “Run The Ball” during possessions, and obvious advisement against neglecting the pass considering the offense’s effectiveness through the air, Sunday may indeed be the game to run the ball — at will. The Cardinals have arguably the worst run defense in the NFL, and the statistics back it up. They rank 32nd and last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (147.0), 30th in rushing yards allowed per carry (4.7), and 32nd in rushing first downs allowed per game (7.9). The Eagles also seem to have solved some of the issues that were plaguing them on the ground the last few weeks. They’ve regained some of the advantages they’ve had before with quarterback Jalen Hurts as a plus-one factor, and that in turn has created some space for the running backs. At the very least, Nick Sirianni and Brian Johnson should be able to get running back D’Andre Swift the 12 yards he needs to reach 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career.

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