Games within the division are always crucial, but they take on added importance in the NFC East where last season’s champ won only seven games. That probably won’t happen in 2021 with every team expected to be a little better. And we get an early season showdown for first place on Monday Night Football with the Philadelphia Eagles visiting the Dallas Cowboys. The successful return of Dak Prescott from last year’s ankle injury has the Boys favored to win the division and they are listed as a 3.5-point favorite on the NFL betting line.
This matchup in Week 3 of the regular season will take place on Monday, September 27, 2021, at 8:15 p.m. ET at ATT Stadium and will be televised on ESPN.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Philadelphia Eagles +3.5
Dallas Cowboys -3.5
Total 52
Odds Analysis
The NFC East was the worst division last season but at least it was competitive with three wins separating all four clubs in the final standings. These teams did their part to show how evenly matched the division was by splitting the season series with each posting a double-digit victory. The Boys opened as a 4-point favorite with the line bet down to Dallas -3.5. The total has gone the other way with the betting public pounding the OVER. The number was bet up to 52 after hitting the board at 49. If the total holds it’ll be the largest in the last 12 games. The UNDER is 6-5 in the previous 11 meetings.
Player to Watch
The Eagles handed the starting job to Jalen Hurts when they traded Carson Wentz during the offseason. Now it’s time for the QB to reward the club’s decision. One thing the offense needs is more consistency from their leader. Hurts failed to complete more than 57 percent of his passes in any of his four starts at the end of last season and the club went 1-3. One of those losses was to Dallas, 37-17, when he completed just 53.9 percent with two interceptions. Hurts had the best game of his young career in the opener going 27 of 35 for 264 yards with three touchdowns and no picks, and it looked like he was about to turn a corner in his development.
Well, things didn’t go as well last week. Hurts was just 12 of 23 passing for 190 yards and he was sacked twice in the 17-11 loss to the Niners. He did have some success running the football with 82 yards on 10 attempts and he leads the team with 144 rushing yards averaging 8.5 yards per tote. Hurts’ dual threat ability could give the Dallas leaky defense some fits.
Key Stat
It may not have an impact on the game but it is interesting to note that the Cowboys have lost their last seven games played in primetime. The streak was extended in the season opener with a 31-29 loss to Tampa Bay. The Boys were able to cover the 10-point closing, though. Meanwhile the Eagles have emerged victorious in four of their previous five games on MNF.
Matchup to Watch
The offense and the season tanked last season when Prescott went down with an injury in Week 5. Prescott led the NFL in passing yards and the group had some big numbers. And Dak picked up where he left off throwing for 403 yards and three scores in the opener. Philly ranks in the top-5 in total defense and points allowed, but the unit hasn’t faced an offense like Dallas’ yet. With the Niners losing most their backfield to injury last week they still managed to run for 117 yards. And that bodes well for Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in the Cowboys run game.
Free ATS Pick
Division games always have added intensity and that’s not about to change. The Cowboys escaped last week in SoCal and return to Big D for their home opener. The Boys are 3-0 SU and ATS in their last three home games with the Eagles outscoring them 103-50. There are points out there and I expect the Cowboys to get more than enough for a cover.
NFL Pick: Cowboys 30, Eagles 20
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