Even Kyle Shanahan Doesn’t Understand Why The 49ers Are Favored
For some reason, the 8-3 49ers are road favorites over the 10-1 Eagles this weekend. The actual number has fluctuated, but they have been favored by up to 3 points. This despite the fact that the Eagles have the better record, and are 5-0 vs teams .500 or above. It doesn’t make sense to anyone. And that includes 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan. Reporters asked Shanahan about them being favorites, and this is what he said.
I’m glad we are in agreement. The Eagles were also underdogs two weeks ago vs the Chiefs. But in that case, there was only a 1 game difference in the standings, and the Chiefs were at home. It made some sense for the Chiefs to be favored. But at home, vs a team you have a two-game lead in the standings over, when you are undefeated vs winning teams, it is odd to be the underdog.
It continues a trend of computer models being down on the Eagles. The ESPN FPI claims the Eagles are the 7th best team in the league, even though they have beaten 4 of the 6 teams ranked over them. And the types of people who rely on those models to talk sports will swear the Eagles aren’t that good even though they have beaten all the teams their numbers say are better.
The thing is these models can’t take certain factors into account. Like how the Eagles have a knack for just pulling out close games. The 49ers meanwhile are 1-2 in games decided by 7 or fewer points. The 49ers either blow out teams or lose. But the model values blowouts, and ignores close wins. And the Eagles haven’t blown any teams out.
Most Eagles fans are probably happy about it though. We are a fanbase that has always thrived on being underdogs.
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Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2023 Week 13 Starters
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Julio Jones
Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Jack Stoll
Tight End, #89
University of Nebraska
3rd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2021)Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Jalen Carter
Defensive Tackle, #98
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (9th overall) in 2023Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Nicholas Morrow
Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)Christian Elliss
Linebacker, #53
University of Idaho
3rd NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (September 2021)Darius Slay
Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Bradley Roby
Cornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Kevin Byard
Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
