Sunday’s NFL schedule concludes with an NFC East showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys have won six of the last eight games in this rivalry and three of their last five trips to Philadelphia. However, the unbeaten Eagles are favored by 6.5 points at home, with the over/under set at 42 points.
Philadelphia is hoping to remain the only undefeated team left in the NFL. Of course, only one of those five wins came against a team with a winning record, so it’s fair to say the jury is still out on the Eagles. At the same time, they also have to win to remain atop the NFC East, with both the Cowboys and Giants entering Week 6 at 4-1.
The Cowboys lost in Week 1 but have since rattled off four straight wins without Dak Prescott on the field. To be fair, the Cowboys only have one win over a team with a winning record. But two of their four wins are against last year’s Super Bowl participants, including last week’s 22-10 road win over the Rams.
Feeling the Rush
With Prescott still working his way back from injury, Cooper Rush is likely to start at quarterback for Dallas. The Cowboys are far from explosive offensively, although Rush has been a suitable backup, completing 61% of his passes and not throwing an interception in four starts.
The Cowboys have too capable receivers in CeeDee Lamb and Noah Brown and a steady backfield with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, so Rush has plenty of help around him.
Of course, it’s been the Dallas defense that’s been carrying the Cowboys early in the season. The Cowboys have allowed 10 points in back-to-back weeks and haven’t allowed more than 17 points in any game this season.
The Cowboys have also forced six takeaways in their last three games without turning it over themselves while racking up 20 sacks over the first five games of the season.
Fly Like an Eagle
The Eagles have arguably the most balanced offense in the NFL, ranking seventh in passing yards and fifth in rushing yards. Jalen Hurts remains a threat with his legs but has grown as a passer this season, completing 68% of his passes while averaging 8.5 yards per pass. However, Hurts has just four touchdown passes in five games, with the Eagles being held to a season-low 20 points last week.
On the other hand, the Philadelphia defense has also been a key part of the team’s success. If you take away Jacksonville’s pick-six in Week 4, the Philadelphia defense has held four straight opponents to 17 points or less.
They also have 17 sacks and 11 takeaways in five games, nearly matching the Dallas defense in creating negative plays for opposing offenses.
Keep It Close
Both of these defenses are far too good for a 6.5-point spread. While the Eagles are far more explosive offensively and playing at home, they aren’t going to slice and dice the Dallas defense.
Bet on the Cowboys to beat the 6.5-point spread with a slight chance that Dallas can also hand the Eagles their first loss of the season.
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