NFL picks and predictions, Seahawks vs. Eagles 2014: Experts split on NFC clash

The Seattle Seahawks can take a big step toward returning to the Super Bowl if they can win on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. With the 8-4 Seahawks trailing the 9-3 Eagles in terms of seeding, a win Sunday could help Seattle eventually earn homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Then again, the Seahawks first need to worry about passing the 9-3 Arizona Cardinals atop the NFC West. Either way, a win in Philly would boost Seattle in both of those scenarios.

The Eagles are also looking to gain homefield advantage in the postseason, and they need to win out to do just that. Because the Cardinals have a head-to-head win, the Eagles likely need to finish with a better overall record than Arizona to claim the NFC's top spot. The 9-3 Green Bay Packers also beat Philly, so that's one more team the Eagles are trying to keep pace with for playoff positioning.

The Seahawks have won five of their past six games, including a 19-3 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. The Eagles have only dropped one of their last five games and are coming off a dominant 33-10 victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.

ESPN could not come to a consensus; seven favored Seattle while six went with Philly. The CBS crew was split right down the middle, with four experts picking the Eagles and the other four going with the Seahawks.

OddsShark has this game as a pick 'em with an over/under of 48. The team at SB Nation was also split 4-4, including the OddsShark computer picking the home team.