Another Eagles vs. Cowboys bitter NFC East rivalry game is the marquee Sunday Night Football matchup on the Week 7 NFL schedule.
It’s the first of at least two meetings between the two teams as the 3-3 Philadelphia Eagles visit the 3-3 Dallas Cowboys.
Battle for the NFC East lead
The New York Giants and Washington Redskins have proven so inept this season that Philadelphia and Dallas actually share the NFC East lead at 3-3.
However, both teams limp into this Sunday Night game coming off losses.
In fact, the Cowboys have lost three in a row after a 3-0 start. Dallas actually lost to the previously winless New York Jets on Sunday, falling behind early and failing on a two-point conversion that would have tied the game in the final minutes.
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Eagles, 38-20, on Sunday. Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs torched a depleted Eagles secondary posting seven catches for 167 yards and three touchdowns.
The Eagles offense didn’t wake up until they were down 24-3 in the first half. Philadelphia got within four points in the third quarter, but the team was plagued by turnovers and miscues late as the Vikings ran away with it.
Based on that, and the history between the two teams, it was no surprise to see some very tight lines for this game at the top NJ sports betting apps.
Eagles vs. Cowboys odds at NJ sportsbooks
Here’s a look at the point spread, over/under, and moneyline odds posted at DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, and William Hill (Caesars Sportsbook) (updated on Oct. 16):
Eagles vs. Cowboys | DraftKings | FanDuel | William Hill |
---|---|---|---|
Spread | DAL -3 PHI +3 | DAL -3 PHI +3 | DAL -3 PHI +3 |
Over/Under | 49.5 | 49.5 | 49 |
Moneyline | DAL -148 PHI +130 | DAL -152 PHI +132 | DAL -150 PHI +130 |
Eagles, Cowboys and recent history
The two teams have met 120 times, including four times in the postseason, and a lot of those matches turned into memorable battles. Dallas owns the all-time Eagles vs. Giants series with a 68-52 record.
The tight spread for this week’s game indicates oddsmakers are expecting a close one. Recent history would suggest they’re right.
In fact, three out of the past seven Cowboys-Eagles games have gone to overtime, and the last three matchups were all decided by a touchdown or less.
The Cowboys won 29-23 in an overtime thriller the last time the two teams met.
It was December 2018 in Dallas. The Eagles tied the game with a touchdown in the final two minutes. However, the Cowboys ended it in overtime with a 15-yard TD pass from Dak Prescott to Amari Cooper.
Winning on a touchdown rather than a field goal meant Dallas covered the 3.5-point spread. The over (45.5 points) also came in.
The Cowboys also beat the Eagles 27-20 in Philadelphia on Nov. 11, 2018.
The Eagles tied the game at 20 in the fourth quarter. However, an Ezekiel Elliott rushing TD with less than four minutes to play won it for the Cowboys.
Philadelphia was 7.5-point favorites at home. The over came in with the teams combining to score more than the 45.5-point line.
Injuries may be a factor on Sunday
Injuries are likely a factor in the Cowboys having to give up less than the standard three points at home this week.
Dallas was down two starting offensive lineman and wide receiver Randall Cobb against the Jets this week. Three-time Pro Bowl receiver Cooper also aggravated a quad injury against the Jets. He left the game in the first quarter and did not return.
Thankfully, it appears Cooper’s injury is not as worrisome as originally thought.
Further news on these Cowboys players could move the lines later in the week.
On the flip side, Philadelphia has some injury troubles of its own and will likely be playing with the same depleted secondary that Vikings QB Kirk Cousins threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns against Sunday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on Oct. 20 and the game will air on NBC.