Carson Wentz and the Eagles have failed to cover in four of their six games this season.
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Cowboys opened as 2.5-point home favorites, but that line has ticked up to Cowboys -3. Philadelphia’s moneyline opened at +112 and the point total opened at 47.5 before a move up to 49.
The Cowboys’ struggles continue as they lost their third consecutive game to fall to 3-3 straight up and ATS. The Eagles secondary got torched by Kirk Cousins in a 38-20 loss to the Vikings that dropped Philadelphia to 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS.
The Cowboys are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games as home favorites with the OVER hitting in seven of 10. The OVER is 8-1-1 in the Eagles’ last 10 games as a road dog.
Philadelphia News and Notes
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson on a local radio show Monday:
Eagles coach Doug Pederson today on @SportsRadioWIP: “We're going down to Dallas, and our guys are gonna be ready to play. And we're gonna win that football game, and when we do, we're in first place in the NFC East." pic.twitter.com/AHcBorFBjv
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 14, 2019
Eagles head coach later in the day Monday:
Doug Pederson: I didn’t guarantee a win against the Cowboys this morning on WIP, I just voiced confidence in my team. #Eagles
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) October 14, 2019
So, in the span of a few hours, coach Pederson went from guaranteeing an Eagles win to showing confidence in his ball club. Two of the team’s three wins have come against the Redskins and Sam Darnold-less Jets and while the 34-27 victory at Green Bay was commendable, a 24-20 road loss at Atlanta back in Week 2 truly embodies a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde persona. Which one will show up at Dallas?
Philadelphia’s secondary was shredded by Kirk Cousins for 333 yards and four touchdowns. Injuries to starting cornerbacks Ronald Darby (hamstring) and Avonte Maddox (concussion) were exploited and there’s no guarantee either will suit up Sunday night. Carson Wentz has game-managed his heart out with only one interception over the past month, but even he can’t save the Eagles from an injury-riddled defense that allows 38 points.
In an effort to milk the second-half clock, Minnesota compiled 122 rush yards against the second-ranked rush defense. However, over their past three, the Eagles have allowed fewer than 89 yards per game and have yielded just 72.8 rush yards per game this season. Plus, Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t looked sharp lately, which does play right into the Eagles’ strength.
Pederson is “hopeful” DeSean Jackson can finally return from an abdomen injury this week.
Dallas News and Notes
The Cowboys’ 3-0 SU and ATS start to the season seems like a distant memory and Jason Garrett’s seat is toasty.
Although Dallas has lost its last three games by a combined 14 points, the offense appears stuck in a quagmire. The Cowboys are averaging 18.6 points per game but just 3.0 points per first half. That’s right, in six first-half quarters during their three-game losing streak, the Cowboys have scored nine points. Sluggish starts are not the way to win the NFC East or compete for a conference crown or Super Bowl championship.
Part of the problem is Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t looked sharp. He’s averaging 3.5 yards per rush during the losing streak. Amari Cooper missed most of the Jets game with a bruised thigh, which led to Tavon Austin (yes, same one) pacing the Cowboys in receiving. If Tavon Austin is your leading receiver, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Cooper is questionable against the Eagles.
Betting Pick: Lean OVER 49
To be frank, this is a game I’d avoid as both squads are a bit of a mystery and the spread is tight. If I’m forced to choose, I lean OVER 49 points because just when you think the Cowboys and Dak Prescott are toast, they reel you back in, and considering what Kirk Cousins did to this secondary last week, points – on both sides – could be bountiful.