Cowboys vs Eagles: Betting Drama Ahead of NFL Kickoff
The NFL season is opening with one of the most heated rivalries in football — the Dallas Cowboys traveling to face the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Now, when this matchup was first announced as the Thursday night opener, a lot of fans rolled their eyes. After all, Dallas didn’t exactly inspire confidence last year, and many thought this rivalry didn’t deserve the prime spotlight. But here we are, and suddenly, this game has turned into one of the most fascinating openers, especially from a betting perspective.
Oddsmakers have set the Eagles as an 8.5-point favorite, with the over/under hovering around 47 to 48 points. The line itself tells a story. Originally, it sat closer to -6.5, but it ballooned after Dallas made the shocking decision to trade away Micah Parsons. That move rattled bettors, and the perception of the Cowboys dropped sharply. Still, it’s worth remembering that Parsons didn’t exactly dominate this rivalry last season, and Dallas did make a move to beef up its defensive line by adding Kenny Clark, which could pay off against a run-heavy Eagles team.
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Philadelphia is being treated by the market as one of the top three teams in the league, only trailing powerhouses like the Ravens and Bills. The Eagles may have lost depth in the offseason, but with Jalen Hurts at quarterback, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith at receiver, and one of the league’s best offensive lines, they remain a complete and dangerous team. But here’s the thing — Dallas still has Dak Prescott, and when he’s healthy, the Cowboys are rarely considered below average. Even with offensive line concerns and the cloud of the Parsons trade, Prescott’s presence keeps them competitive, and that’s why many bettors are eyeing Dallas plus the points.
Prop bets add even more intrigue. Prescott’s rushing line is set at just 6.5 yards. Given how he used his legs effectively in 2023 before injuries slowed him in 2024, it’s a tempting over. Tight end Jake Ferguson is another name to watch. With Philly’s secondary vulnerable in the middle, Ferguson’s line of 15.5 yards for his longest catch looks appealing, and he’s also a sneaky pick for an anytime touchdown. On the Eagles’ side, DeVonta Smith could be the better value than A.J. Brown in the opener. Smith quietly led the team in touchdowns last season, and with Brown expected to see Trevon Diggs in coverage, Hurts may look Smith’s way in the red zone.
And if you’re looking for a long shot? Cowboys speedster KaVontae Turpin has been sprinkled into the offense more often and already has a history of finding the end zone on limited touches. With odds pushing as high as +850, some bettors won’t be able to resist.
So while the Eagles enter as clear favorites and the public is backing them heavily, this game might be closer than the line suggests. Dallas has enough firepower with Prescott to hang around, and bettors willing to go against the grain could find value siding with the Cowboys in this opening night clash.
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