DALLAS — The Cowboys celebrated a significant victory in Las Vegas, but as they prepare for a pivotal matchup against the Eagles, caution is warranted. Early Tuesday morning, I visited the sportsbook at Bellagio to gauge the betting landscape for the upcoming Cowboys-Eagles game. The odds displayed a tempting Dallas at +3.5. Nearby, a man confidently placed a $10,000 wager on Seattle against Tennessee, a figure far beyond my budget.
Despite the allure of the Cowboys” recent performance, I urge fans to be wary of what might be termed “fool”s gold.” The Eagles might currently sport an 8-2 record, but their play has lacked intensity. They narrowly defeated Detroit 16-9 on Sunday and appeared disengaged in their earlier 10-7 victory over Green Bay. In fact, the only team they have convincingly beaten this season is the New York Giants, with all other wins coming by seven points or less.
Even with the Eagles facing challenges, it”s crucial to note that they have maintained a high level of success. Despite A.J. Brown”s recent advice to fantasy players to drop him due to his diminishing stats, and Jalen Hurts struggling with yardage compared to other quarterbacks like the Raiders” Geno Smith, the Eagles have a history of winning. Their impressive track record includes a Super Bowl appearance in 2022, a 10-1 record in November 2023, and another Super Bowl win in 2024.
The Cowboys, under Coach Brian Schottenheimer, are coming off a solid performance against a struggling team. They have shown resilience following the loss of teammate Marshawn Kneeland and are motivated to honor him. However, their victories this season have primarily come at the expense of lower-ranked teams, including the 3-8 Washington Commanders, 2-8 Raiders, and 2-9 Giants.
In past matchups, the Cowboys have struggled against stronger opponents, with losses by more than 10 points to teams like Arizona, Chicago, and Denver. Their closest games include a 24-20 loss to the Eagles and a narrow defeat by Carolina. While Dak Prescott”s connection with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens presents a formidable threat, the Eagles have vulnerabilities in their defense.
As the two teams prepare to face off, the absence of key players like tackle Lane Johnson could play a significant role. Hurts has faced considerable pressure this season, having been sacked 26 times, akin to the struggles of the Raiders” Smith against the Cowboys. This matchup promises to be more competitive than one might expect when an 8-2 team lines up against a 4-5-1 opponent.
A Dallas upset could spark a renewed hope for the NFC East title chase, but the Cowboys would still need significant help from the Eagles losing multiple games. The path to victory is challenging, but the Cowboys are looking to prove themselves against a team that often finds ways to win despite its flaws.
