Look outside Eagles fans! It’s a beautiful Sunday in the Delaware Valley. And even though we are still two weeks away from Christmas, I felt that same rush of anticipation this morning.

The first start for an Eagles quarterback always makes for an intoxicating experience. Like your first date after getting out of a long-term relationship. Sure, the woman across from you wont stop talking about her dog’s irritable bowl problem and twice in the past hour she lamented about how she hasn’t been getting enough likes on her Instagram account, but in that moment truly anything is possible. This could be the one! And you don’t even realize it yet.

I still remember where I was when Carson Wentz effortlessly tossed a dime to Jordan Matthews in the back corner of the end zone against Cleveland in 2016. It wasn’t just any throw for his first touchdown. It was a perfect throw. It seems like a decade ago. The whole city of Philadelphia was filled with unbridled exuberance and hope. Carson and I have so many good memories it’s hard to let go. But people change and time pushes even the closest pairs apart. So maybe we can be friends??

Enter Jalen Hurts.

I have to admit.. he’s not really my type but then again, neither was Nick Foles. My initial scouting report is that Jalen isn’t athletic enough to be a mobile quarterback. Hurts definitely has a bit of a noodle arm and might be two inches too short for the position. Watching him at Alabama and Oklahoma I had the exact same reservations. Yet, his teammates seem to like playing with him and he exhibits a certain swagger necessary to be the alpha dog.

Hurts is by no means perfect. But who is? We all have flaws..

Make no mistake about it. On Sunday December 13, 2020 the city of Philadelphia possesses something that has been missing since the Eagles brass chose Wentz over Foles.

Hope.

“Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.” -Red

My prediction and best bets are below.

*** For the record, there is another big business, corporately funded ‘Eagles blog’, who will not be named (Fansided), that has been doing their best attempting to copy The Misery Report’s Best Bets. It is one of those clickbait blogs that makes you go through multiple links to get actual information. TheLibertyLine.com will never pull that chicanery. Thank you & GO BIRDS!

Final Score

Saints 30-Eagles 16

New Orleans Saints -6.5

The Saints may be the best team in the NFL. They finally have a defense to match their perennially top flight offense. They are in their sleek road whites uniforms and the weather is conveniently mild for a mid-December day. I think the Eagles defense has been playing great this season considering the lack of help they get from the other side of the ball. But with a battered offensive line the Birds simply cant keep up.

Zach Ertz to score a TD +350

Ertz is back and I think he heard how much everyone hated him pouting about a new contract earlier this season. With pressure in his face Hurts will be checking down all game. Ertz can be that safety valve.

Jalen Hurts under 1.5 TD Passes -210

I don’t think Pedersen puts Hurts in a position to have to win the game with his arm. The fans have been calling on Doug to run the ball more and today he decides to shorten the game with the ground game.