Ricky Dimon
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Sunday Night Football in Week 12 of the NFL season is an intriguing NFC showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams. It may not necessarily be a conference championship preview, but these are 2 teams that are most definitely in the playoff picture. Philadelphia comes in at 8-2, while you can argue that Los Angeles is better than its 5-5 record suggests.
Here is my Same Game Parlay for the festivities, which get underway at 8:20 pm ET on NBC. Also be sure to check out our full Eagles vs Rams predictions.
Rams ML (+124)
Puka Nacua to score a touchdown (+146)
Saquon Barkley to score a touchdown (-180)
Parlay odds: +672
Part of the value in a Same Game Parlay, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here, as Los Angeles receiver Puka Nacua finding the endzone would obviously work well with a win by the Rams. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with backing Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley to also score a touchdown. But even if he does, there is no reason why the home team can’t get the job done. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
Rams ML (+124)
I’m not writing off the Rams in any game since Nacua and Cooper Kupp are back from their respective injuries. It’s no surprise that Los Angeles – once 1-4 – has won 4 of its last 5 games now that health is on its side. Able to sling it to his favorite weapons, Matthew Stafford has thrown 10 touchdown passes in the last 4 contests. Stafford has a pair of 4-touchdown performances during this stretch. With rookie pass rusher Jared Verse making an immediate impact for a young defense, the Rams are playing well on both sides of the ball. Philadelphia is in fine form, as well, but it’s not like this team has been dominant en route to its 8-2 record. Now the Eagles have to travel across the country for a showdown against a formidable opponent. This a very winnable game for Los Angeles at home.
Puka Nacua to score a touchdown (+146)
Nacua has scored only 1 touchdown this season, but that is largely because he has missed 5 full games and basically all of another. The BYU product is back with a vengeance and has not skipped a beat upon his return. He caught 9 of 14 targets for 98 yards in his first game back against the Miami Dolphins and then torched the New England Patriots for 123 yards and 1 TD this past Sunday. The Stafford-to-Nacua connection is clicking just like it was pre-injury. Philly’s defense is no joke, but it is starting 2 rookie cornerbacks. Give me Nacua in those matchups all night long.
Saquon Barkley to score a touchdown (-180)
This really doesn’t conflict too much with a Los Angeles win, so I have no reservations about including these 2 legs together in a Same Game Parlay. Let’s be honest; Barkley scoring a touchdown is pretty much a slam dunk every time he takes the field. The opposing team can accept it as a given and know that it must answer with its own offensive production. Barkley has 10 touchdowns (8 rushing, 2 receiving) in 10 games this season has remained on that same pace of late, with 5 TDs in the past 5 outings. It‘s hard to see a solid but unspectacular L.A. defense keeping him out of the endzone.
