This could turn out to be a massive clash in terms of who comes out on top in the final reckoning, particularly in light of last season’s campaign with the Washington Football Team the only NFC East team to make the post-season, after topping the pile with a losing record of 7-9.
Such were the poor campaigns endured by the Eagles and Cowboys that even the New York Giants finished above the pair in second in what was widely regarded as the worst division in the NFL.
Home Opener Could Be Key
And there are signs that the division as a whole will be no better this time around – with the Giants winless after three games and Washington beating only New York in their 1-2 record so far – so there will be no less pressure on the two protagonists this evening.
Both sides have won and lost one of their opening two games so far but with home advantage, and for the first time this season, the Cowboys have been installed as the 10/19 favourites on the Money line with the Eagles available at 8/5.
There is no argument with that, with fans back in the stadium for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic along with this match being the opening home game of the season against a divisional rival, the Cowboys will be given every incentive and benefit by a fired up partisan crowd.
The Eagles have also struggled of late in Arlington, Texas, having lost on their last three visits, including a 37-17 loss last season, despite holding a 14-3 first-quarter lead against a side led by Andy Dalton with Dak Prescott having been ruled out for the season due to an ankle injury.
Eagles Beware Fit-Again Prescott
Of course, changes have occurred for both since then with Prescott now back fit and firing for the Cowboys and it appears there are lots of things going in the home side’s favour going into this clash.
Dallas opened the season by losing narrowly in a shootout with the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, going down 31-29 at the Raymond James Stadium, with Prescott throwing for 403 yards from 42 completions, having attempted 58 passes, with three touchdowns and one interception.
The 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year was a little quieter last week with no touchdown passes in a 237-yard game, but the Cowboys were able to grind out a 20-17 win at the Los Angeles Chargers thanks to Tony Pollard rushing for 109 yards and outshining Ezekiel Elliott’s 71, although both ran for a TD.
.@EzekielElliott has more yards per game in primetime than anyone since 1970.
Find out who has surpassed & more in today's Big Facts!
#PHIvsDAL | @SWBCServices
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 26, 2021
Pollard is 11/2 to score Dallas’ first touchdown on Monday, with Elliot priced at 3/1.
Having established an early 14-3 lead, the win did demonstrate at least a variety to their offense, although their failure to reach the end zone in the final three quarters will hardly be striking fear into the Eagles’ camp.
Hurts Dual Threat Can Keep Philly In It
Philadelphia opened their campaign with a comprehensive 32-6 road win in Atlanta with Jalen Hurts throwing for 264 yards and three TDs, while he also rushed for 62 yards on seven carries.
He was unable to back that up against a much tougher defence in the San Francisco 49ers last week, throwing for just 190 yards, but he did rush for 82 more and scored a touchdown, admittedly in garbage time, in the 17-11 loss in their home opener.
It could be argued that the Cowboys look to have more weapons on offense than their counterparts, but there has been a mixed bag from them so far and they have struggled to finish off drives, particularly last week.
With that in mind and the fact it is a massive rivalry clash, the Eagles can keep it close and land the +3.5 handicap result at 25/28, with a leaning towards under 51 points at 20/21.
*All odds correct at time of writing
