Maybe the most disappointing team in the league, the Dallas Cowboys enter Week 8 not knowing who they will start at quarterback. Andy Dalton’s status is up in the air and will need to be monitored closely before this divisional game with serious playoff implications. Somehow, the Cowboys (2-5 SU, 0-7 ATS) would lead the NFC East if they beat the (equally disappointing) first-place Eagles (2-4-1 SU, 2-5 ATS) and Washington loses.
- Date/Time: November 1, 8:20 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
- TV Coverage: NBC
- Sportsbook Odds: Eagles -2.5 | O/U 47.5 (Line History)
- Cowboys vs Eagles Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The game opened with the Eagles as favorites at -2.5 but the line has increased to -3.5 at some sportsbooks, -7.5 at others and is not posted yet at several books as we await news on the Dallas quarterback situation. The total opened at 47.5 and has dropped to 43.5 – tied for the lowest total of the week as of Tuesday – at the books that have a number posted.
Dallas News & Notes
The Dallas Cowboys have the look of a team about to undergo serious change. Quarterback Andy Dalton, starting in place of incumbent Dak Prescott, had to be helped off the field in Dallas’ Week 7 loss to Washington after a vicious head shot by Washington linebacker Jon Bostic. Dalton has entered the league’s concussion protocol and his status for Sunday night will likely be up in the air until later in the week.
If Dalton cannot play, rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci could get the nod. DiNucci was a seventh-round pick of the Cowboys out of James Madison University. The Cowboys’ quarterback situation will need to be monitored closely as it obviously will determine how to bet this game and what the line will be.
One thing we do know is how bad the Cowboys defense has been. Dallas has allowed the most points, the most rushing yards and the fifth-most total yards in the league.
Philadelphia News & Notes
The Eagles certainly have many questions of their own heading into Week 8. They have a laundry list of injuries throughout their roster including several high-profile offensive linemen, wide receivers, tight ends and their starting running back. Bettors will need to monitor the injury situations of several of these key Eagles such as running back Miles Sanders and offensive tackle Lane Johnson.
But quarterback Carson Wentz is healthy and has made a career out of throwing to weapons nobody has heard of. Receiver Travis Fulgham is one of those “nobodies.” Fulgham leads the team in receiving yards and is in the top 40 in the league despite playing just four games. He also ranks 17th in the league in yards per reception. Look for Fulgham to lead the charge against the abysmal Cowboys defense.
Betting Pick: Eagles -7.5
If you can find any lines still at -3.5 that haven’t updated, those should be hammered immediately. But even a -7.5 spread might be generous to the Cowboys, who could well be starting a seventh-round rookie third-stringer making his first career start on the road. If Dalton plays, we still feel good about an Eagles victory considering the shape of the Cowboys defense.
- The Cowboys are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games.
- Dallas is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games vs the NFC East.
- Philadelphia is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 home games vs the NFC East.
