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Eagles-Vikings odds: Point spread makes Philadelphia an underdog, again

Minnesota is the ninth road team to be favored in a conference championship since 1990.

Eagle offensive lineman Lane Johnson walks off the field wearing a German Shepherd’s mask celebrating the underdog Eagles’ win over the Falcons on Saturday night.
Eagle offensive lineman Lane Johnson walks off the field wearing a German Shepherd’s mask celebrating the underdog Eagles’ win over the Falcons on Saturday night.Read moreMichael Bryant / Staff
    by Ed Barkowitz | Columnist
    Published 

Don't put away those canine masks just yet. The Eagles are underdogs again this week.

Buoyed by the Minnesota Miracle, the Vikings opened as 3-point favorites over the Eagles for next Sunday's NFC championship game, despite the game being at Lincoln Financial Field.

The second-seeded Vikings beat New Orleans with a walk-off touchdown pass on Sunday night from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs that will go down in NFL history. Minnesota and the top-seeded Eagles each were 13-3 during the regular season. The over-under is 39.5.

The Eagles players, coaches, janitors and cheerleaders all were miffed last week when Atlanta was favored by a field goal to beat the Eagles in Saturday's divisional playoff. It was the first time a No. 1 seed was an underdog to a No. 6 seed since the current postseason format began in 1990. The Eagles rallied behind the perceived snub and beat the Falcons, 15-10. Afterward, Lane Johnson and Chris Long jokingly wore dog masks.

New England is favored by 9 points over visiting Jacksonville in the AFC championship game, according to handicapper Vegas Vic. Their over/under opened at 47.

Minnesota is the ninth road team to be favored in a conference championship since 1990. Six of the previous eight covered. The two exceptions were the Patriots, which lost outright to Denver two years ago as a 3-point favorite. The Eagles, following the 2008 season, also lost outright as a 3.5-point road favorite to Arizona.

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