Now, even Las Vegas is starting to believe in the Eagles.
Although they were seven-point underdogs at Giants Stadium yesterday, they are 13 1/2-point favorites against the Cleveland Browns for next Monday night's game after they beat the Giants, 20-14, and after the Browns lost by 28-9 to the Tennessee Titans.
"Their playoff hopes remain alive right now, and Cleveland doesn't have much to play for," said Jason Been, a Las Vegas sports consultant. "They've won their last two games, and Cleveland's also lost offensive weapons," Been said, referring to the losses of quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn.
Been mentioned that many people bet on yesterday's Eagles game, but there was equal money wagered on both teams.
Plaxico Burress' absence for the Giants didn't seem to have a big effect.
"People can speculate all they want on if that led to more Eagles bets," Been said. "I highly doubt it, though."
Elsewhere in the NFL, it was a normal day for the sports books. They did not win or lose big. The one game that had a big effect was Dallas' 20-13 loss at Pittsburgh because the Cowboys were favored by three points.
"The interception return at the end was not good for the books," Been said. "We would've preferred if Pittsburgh won by a field goal instead."
Been also said the Detroit Lions are favored to go 0-16. "I would estimate that you would have to put up $240 to win $100 in favor of them going 0-16," Been said.
Next Week
EAGLES 13½ Cleveland
CHICAGO 2½ New Orleans
Tampa Bay NL ATLANTA
Washington NL CINCINNATI
INDIANAPOLIS NL Detroit
San Diego 4½ KANSAS CITY
Green Bay 2 JACKSONVILLE
Seattle 3 ST. LOUIS
San Francisco NL MIAMI
N.Y. JETS 7 Buffalo
Tennessee 3½ HOUSTON
Minnesota NL ARIZONA
Denver NL CAROLINA
Pittsburgh NL BALTIMORE
New England 7½ OAKLAND
N.Y. Giants NL DALLAS