This isn’t your average Thanksgiving Day Eagles-Cowboys game.This year, the winner of the game will take sole possession of first in the NFC East. The Eagles have the momentum and confidence after blowing out Tennessee on Sunday afternoon, while the Cowboys survived an early New York onslaught to come back with a win on Sunday Night Football.
Which of these two divisional giants will come out on top? Read on as we break down this exciting NFC East showdown.
There are more exciting matchups on the slate for your viewing (and betting pleasure) this week. Check out our complete previews for the exciting divisional matchups ahead as Thursday Night Football features the Seahawks vs. 49ers, while Sunday night offers Broncos vs. Chiefs.
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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys Preview
Where: AT&T Stadium, Dallas
When: Thursday, November 27, 4:30 PM ET
Line: Philadelphia Eagles (+3) at Dallas Cowboys (-3); total: 55.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Philadelphia Eagles
Add one more touchdown for the Philadelphia special teams as Josh Huff returned the opening kickoff 107 yards for a touchdown just 13 seconds into their game, a 43-24 win over Tennessee. The return was the longest in franchise history and the 10th non-offensive touchdown for the Eagles this season and the Eagles never looked back.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Running back LeSean McCoy ran for 130 yards and a score on 21 carries, and he and Darren Sproles each scored a touchdown to lead the Eagles. With their running game clicking, expect the Eagles to be able to pile up the yards against a Dallas defense that has allowed an average of 4.3 yards per rush, and has given up 10 rushing touchdowns this season.
The Eagles can also get some production through the air with quarterback Mark Sanchez. The backup went 30 for 43 yards for 307 yards and a touchdown against the Titans, his third straight 300-yard game this season. Sanchez may be able to pick up his fourth-consecutive 300-yard game against a Cowboys defense that allowed 338 yards and three touchdowns against Eli Manning on Sunday night.
Sanchez takes on the Cowboys pass defense with a pair of trusty wide receivers in Jeremy Maclin and Jordan Matthews. The rookie Matthews has gained 322 yards and three touchdowns in his last three games, while Maclin has been a proven scorer with a team-high nine touchdowns this season.
Still, an all-around defense may be what the Eagles need to slow down the Cowboys. The Eagles have an elite pass rusher in linebacker in Connor Barwin (second in the league with 10.5 sacks) who will look to get to Tony Romo far more than the Giants did. Meanwhile, the Eagles run defense has proven capable of stopping the run as they have allowed 3.9 yards per carry in the season and have given up only six rushing touchdowns.
The Eagles have won both their division games this season.
Betting on the Dallas Cowboys
When Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray both click, the Cowboys win games. Romo completed 18 of 26 passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns, while Murray had 121 yards rushing on 24 carries to lead Dallas to a come-from-behind 31-28 win over the New York Giants Sunday night.
The Dallas quarterback connected with leading Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant on touchdown passes of 31 and 13 yards, while reserve wide receiver Cole Beasley caught a short pass and ran it 45 yards for a score. The Eagles are giving up an average of 266.3 yards passing, something that Romo could exploit with his trusty receiving corps.
Meanwhile, Murray, the league’s leading running back, will look to record his 11th 100-yard rushing game in the season. Philadelphia’s run defense was torched by Green Bay’s lead back Eddie Lacy for 6.9 yards per carry just two weeks ago.
The offensive line also deserves its fair share of praise after giving the quarterback all the protection he needed. During the Cowboys’ game-winning drive, Romo was able to stay composed in the pocket for exceptionally long stretches. Romo completed all six of his passes for 66 yards in the final drive, including the 13-yard go-ahead touchdown to Bryant with 1:01 remaining.
The Cowboys also continue to find defensive touchdowns. They’ve scored on two interception returns (as many as the Eagles have) this season with linebacker Bruce Carter and defensive back Tyler Patmon. The Cowboys should also be able to force some timely interceptions as Philadelphia’s Sanchez has thrown four interceptions in the past two weeks.
The Cowboys are 2-4 ATS as the home team this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cowboys (-3) carry their momentum through the short turnaround as they win at home against the Eagles. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the exciting football action as the NFL regular season approaches its end.
