Eagles’ Super Bowl Odds Listed at +2000 After Acquiring Darius Slay
- The odds of the Philadelphia Eagles winning Super Bowl 55 improved to +2000 from +2250 following Thursday’s trade acquisition of Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay
- Are the Eagles legitimate Super Bowl contenders following this deal?
- See the current odds for the top contenders during the 2020 NFL season here
The Philadelphia Eagles made a big play for Big Play Slay, and now their chances of winning Super Bowl 55 are a better play.
Before Thursday’s deal that brought Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay from the Detroit Lions to the Eagles, Philly was at average odds of +2250 in Super Bowl futures across the leading sportsbooks.
Doug Pederson’s squad is now +2000 to walk away with a title for the 2020 season.
2020 Super Bowl Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +500 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +700 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +750 |
| New Orleans Saints | +1100 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1200 |
| New England Patriots | +1800 |
| Green Bay Packers | +1800 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +1800 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +2000 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +2000 |
| Buffalo Bills | +2000 |
Odds taken March 19th
Philly’s Super Bowl odds were as high as +3300 on Jan. 15th.
Eagles Slay Big Problem
Slay garnered his nickname because he makes big plays. The Eagles moved to acquire Slay because their secondary was giving up too many big plays.
Last season, the Eagles were 19th in the NFL at defending the pass (241.6 yards per game). They allowed 15 pass plays of 40+ yards. Only the Oakland Raiders (16) surrendered more.
Breaking: The Lions have traded star CB Darius Slay to the Eagles, a source tells @AdamSchefter.
The Eagles and Slay have agreed on a 3-year extension worth $50 million, including $30 million guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/gH8d702ECT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 19, 2020
Among the NFL’s elite cornerbacks, Slay draws the assignment of shutting down the other team’s top wide receiver. It’s a task he’s proven quite adept at.
At six foot and 190 pounds, Slay possesses the size to battle physically with big receivers. He’s also equipped with the speed to cover more elusive wide outs.
@_bigplayslay23 is a grown man out there on that island. He matches up with the opposing teams #1 rec and competes each & every play. The boy makes plays & I approve this CORNER! #Truth
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) March 19, 2020
He earned an All-Pro selection in 2017 after leading the NFL in interceptions (eight) and passes defended (26).
Even last season, while he was nursing an ailing hamstring most of the year, opposing quarterbacks garnered just an 81.6 passer rating when targeting Slay.
Philly Revamps Secondary
Slay’s addition is part of an entire overhaul of the Eagles secondary. Slay was inked to a three-year, $50 million deal contract extension that includes $30 million in guaranteed money. Jalen Mills was also re-signed but will move from corner to safety.
Yes sirrr!!! Let’s get it https://t.co/FJ75ZOzy40
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) March 19, 2020
He’ll start alongside Rodney McLeod. Philly declined to pick up the option on safety Malcolm Jenkins and he signed with the New Orleans Saints.
One of Avonte Maddox, Cre’Von Leblanc, Rasul Douglas or SidneyJones could start opposite Slay at corner. The Eagles might also opt to draft a corner. They’ve also been taking to Will Parks, who started seven games last season for the Denver Broncos.
Eagles Offer Value
Even with the addition of Slay, oddsmakers still offer value on Philadelphia to win the Super Bowl. Granted, based on last season’s limp to the postseason through a 9-7 NFC East-winning campaign, Philly doesn’t look like a true Super Bowl threat.
Remember, though, that this was a team decimated by injury.
The entire receiving corps by season’s end was comprised of practice-squad players. Each of the following players missed time while on injured reserve – G Brandon Brooks, RB Corey Clement, Darby, S Rudy Ford, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, DE Daeshon Hall, WR DeSean Jackson, DT Malik Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, LeBlanc, T Jordan Mailata, DE Joe Ostman, DT Hassan Ridgeway, and RB Darren Sproles.
New Eagles CB Darius Slay is one of just two corners named to the last three Pro Bowls. He has 82 pass breakups since 2015, more than any other player in the NFL. He's a standout man-to-man coverage player.
Philly lands the impact corner it has long coveted.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 19, 2020
In Carson Wentz, the Eagles have a high-end QB. Miles Sanders looks to be the real deal at RB. Philly’s pass rush is among the NFL’s best, and now they’ve upgraded at DB.
Bet the Eagles to win the NFC East, and take a chance on them at a good price in Super Bowl futures.
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles (+2000)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
