Can Sunday night's offenses reach 41? Chuck says No

Chuck is taking the low-scoring side of Sunday night's Philadelphia-Washington game. His call on the Beat Chuck card is No to this question: "Will the teams combine for at least 41 points?"

That answer needs a final combined score of 40 or fewer. A 24-17 finish would beat Chuck's prediction; 23-17 would make it correct. The argument starts with the players missing from both offenses.

Philadelphia is without Jalen Hurts. The team's October 19 statement says he cannot participate in contact football while receiving treatment for blood clots. Washington has lost Terry McLaurin for the season after a torn patellar tendon, the team confirmed October 20. Both absences matter when asking these offenses to sustain scoring drives.

Philadelphia's running game also remains unsettled. In the team's account of Monday's loss to Dallas, Dave Spadaro reported that Saquon Barkley strained his hamstring on a 29-yard run and played nine snaps. DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks missed that game. Their Sunday availability still needs the week's practice and game-status reports.

There is a strong reason to disagree with Chuck: Philadelphia's defense. NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dave Zangaro reported that Dallas scored 38 points and ran for 204 yards Monday. An offense can struggle and still find itself in a high-scoring game when its defense keeps surrendering drives.

Tanner McKee also led three touchdown drives against Dallas. And Washington is preparing a larger role for rookie Antonio Williams, according to its October 27 report. Missing stars do not erase every route to 41.

Philadelphia visits Washington on Sunday, November 1, at 8:20 p.m. Eastern. Chuck has made his call. Make yours in the free-to-play Sunday Night challenge.

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