Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys Week 16 Betting Preview

Photo Source: Associated Press

A fierce rivalry is a holiday treat to football fans as a pair of playoff teams – the Philadelphia Eagles (13-1) and Dallas Cowboys (10-4) – meet at 4:25 p.m. ET Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Philadelphia can clinch the division and the top seed in the NFC with a win.

With that in mind, the observations are key. The Eagles will start Gardner Minshew after MVP candidate Jalen Hurts suffered a sprained shoulder last week at Chicago. The Cowboys gave a game away in Jacksonville with two interceptions by Dak Prescott, which in all likelihood dashed any hopes they had at winning the division.

Still, the Cowboys are favored by 4.5 points with an over/under of 47 points. The Eagles are +175 on the moneyline while the Cowboys are -210.

Eagles Riding Five-Game Winning Streak

Philadelphia has had a great season with one slip up to boot. Now it turns to its backup QB in a game that will clinch the division and the conference with a win.

The Eagles have been elite on both sides of the field. They are second in scoring 29.4 points per game and third in gaining 394.1 yards per game. The rushing attack is fourth, gaining 158.6 rushing yards per contest. They pass for 235.5 yards per game, which is 11th, and have 13 giveaways, which is second.

Defensively, they allow 19.1 points per game, which is sixth, and are second in holding teams to 293.5 yards of offense. They have the best pass defense, allowing 172.4 yards per game, and are 19th against the run at 121.1 yards per contest. Their 25 takeaways are second.

Cowboys Must Cut Illusions

Dallas is a good team with as many weapons as any team has. The Cowboys need to show that. They are third in scoring 28.1 points per game and ninth in gaining 362.3 yards of offense per game. But they are 17th passing at 217.1 yards per game and seventh rushing at 145.1 yards per game. Their 17 giveaways is 15th.

Defensively, they allow 19.2 points per game, which is seventh, and 324.6 yards per game, which is eighth. They are third against the pass, allowing 191.6 yards per game, but 24th against the run, allowing 133.1 yards per game. Their 26 takeaways lead the league.

Eagles/Cowboys Prediction

Part of what makes the Eagles’ rushing attack so great is Hurts’ mobility. They will miss that with Minshew more of a pocket passer as the Cowboys have one less element to worry about.

The Eagles won 26-17 on Oct. 16 and covered 6.5 points. Both teams are 8-6 against the spread while the Eagles are 9-5 on over/unders and Dallas is 7-6-1. Dallas is 7-1 at home while Philadelphia is 7-0 on the road.

It’s the first time this season the Eagles are underdogs. Dallas is 5-4 against the spread as favorites.

Dunkel Index: Eagles +4.5, over 47

Be sure to check out all of this week’s NFL Picks!