Cowboys vs. Eagles Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
The NFL always makes a point of beginning each season with a blockbuster battle on Thursday Night Football. This year, the assignment belongs to a couple of NFC East foes, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.
These are, of course, two of the most storied franchises in football. In recent years, though, the stories have been much different. Dallas has not reached the NFC Championship game since 1995, and it did not even make the playoffs last season. Philadelphia, on the other hand, has played in two of the last three Super Bowls and comes in as the defending champion.
Will the Eagles’ title defence begin with a bang in front of the home crowd at Lincoln Financial Field, or can the Cowboys recover from a tumultuous offseason and pull off a sizeable Week 1 upset?
Philadelphia is a heavy 8-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with the total set at 47.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Unsurprisingly, Dallas comes in as a considerable underdog at +310 on the moneyline. Philadelphia is an overwhelming -400 favourite. The point spread is -8, in favour of the Eagles, who are priced on that line at -120. That puts the Cowboys at +8 (-120). You can get the game total at 47.5 points, with both the Over and the Under priced at -110.
The Eagles won both of the head-to-head meetings last season by a combined score of 75-13. Seven of the previous nine meetings between these two division rivals have gone over the total. Dating back to the 2023 campaign, the Over is 14-6 in the Cowboys’ last 20 games.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys compiled an extremely disappointing 7-10 record last season. As such, you might think that a lot of change in Dallas might be a good thing. However, there is no guarantee that the changes made – largely engineered by owner Jerry Jones – will pay dividends. Brian Schottenheimer has zero head-coaching experience, and losing star pass rusher Micah Parsons is obviously a borderline disaster in the short term, even though one less distraction and several more draft picks could be good in the long run.
Even with Parsons, the Cowboys ranked No. 28 in total defence and second-to-last in scoring defence in 2024. As such, Dallas may have to rely on an offence featuring Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and newcomers George Pickens at wide receiver and Javonte Williams at running back.
Philadelphia Eagles
Whereas there are more questions than answers involving the Cowboys coming into this season, you pretty much know what the Eagles bring to the table. They looked like by far the best team in football, and most of their key pieces – especially on offence – have returned. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is once again armed with pass-catching weapons in A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith in addition to star running back Saquon Barkley.
If Philly is in any way vulnerable, it could be on defence. Josh Sweat, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Brandon Graham, and Darius Slay are among those gone from the 2024 roster.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Cowboys vs. Eagles?
Dallas will have painful memories of its last trip to Philly, and it wasn’t long ago. These two teams squared off at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 17 of last season, when the Eagles humiliated the visitors 41-7.
While it may not be as lopsided this time around, there is little reason to think that the Cowboys can turn the tide. Look for the Eagles to win and cover and for the over to cash in a 30-20 victory for the home team.
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