Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys (+6, 47.5)
The Dallas Cowboys will enter Sunday night's home tilt versus the surging Philadelphia Eagles without star running back Ezekiel Elliott, and perhaps decorated Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tyron Smith. After seeing his team's offense remain stuck in neutral without both studs last week, quarterback Dak Prescott may need to outduel fellow second-year quarterback Carson Wentz at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. **video
After throwing for 15 scores in his previous seven games, Prescott used his legs with a play-action touchdown run in Dallas' 27-7 setback to Atlanta last week. The 24-year-old only threw for 176 yards - and for a 5.87 average - due in large part to constant pressure, with defensive end Adrian Clayborn recording six of his team's eight sacks to disrupt any offensive continuity. While the Cowboys saw their three-game winning streak halted, Philadelphia has emerged victorious in seven in a row and could put a stranglehold on the NFC East title should it avenge last season's 29-23 overtime loss in Dallas. Wentz threw for just 202 yards in that outing, but the 24-year-old has thrown 17 of his NFL-best 23 touchdown passes in the last five games and guides the league's second-ranked offense at 31.4 points per contest.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Eagles (-5) - Cowboys (-1.5) + home field (-3) = Eagles -0.5.
LINE HISTORY: The Cowboys opened as 3.5-point home dogs against their NFC East rivals and money on the road team has pushed that line to +6 at most shops. The total hit the betting board at 46.5 and was quickly bet up to 48.5, before dropping back to 47.5 on Sunday. Check out the complete line history here.
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The Cowboys would have been the favorite in this game one month ago, but Dallas will now be missing several key players in this divisional primetime game and that is why the Cowboys are now a home underdog. Philadelphia is coming off their bye week and it will be interesting to see if they can continue their momentum as they are 7-0 SU (6-1 ATS) in their past seven games. Last season the Eagles started 3-0 SU/ATS, but then went 2-9 SU (3-8 ATS) after their bye week." - Covers Expert Steve Merril
WHAT BOOKS SAY: ?"Major sharp money on the Eagles has come in throughout the week. We briefly moved down to -3 right after opening, but Philly money has poured in since. The Cowboys didn't look well without Tyron Smith and Ezekiel Elliott last week, and the betting public is reacting as well." - Scott Cooley, odds consultant for offshore sportsbook Bookmaker.eu.
WEATHER REPORT:
INJURY REPORT:
Eagles - CB Ronald Darby (Probable, Ankle), S Jaylen Watkins (Probable, Hamstring), WR Alshon Jeffery (Probable, Ankle), TE Zach Ertz (Probable, Hamstring), CB Sidney Jones (Questionable, Achilles), K Caleb Sturgis (Doubtful, Quadricep)
Cowboys - CB Chidobe Awuzie (Probable, Hamstring), WR Dez Bryant (Probable, Ankle), DT Maliek Collins (Questionable, Foot), LB Justin Durant (Questionable, Groin), TE Geoff Swaim (Questionable, Knee), CB Orlando Scandrick (Questionable, Hand), S Jeff Heath (Doubtful, Concussion), OT Tyron Smith (Out, Groin), LB Sean Lee (Mid December, Hamstring), RB Ezekiel Elliott (Eligible Week 16, Suspension).
ABOUT THE EAGLES (8-1 SU, 7-2 ATS, 6-3 O/U): Offseason acquisition Alshon Jeffery has three touchdowns in his last two games and also found the end zone in two of his last three meetings with Dallas. Zach Ertz aims to return from a two-game absence due to an ailing hamstring and pick up where he left off, as the 27-year-old has five touchdowns in his last four contests. Ertz leads all NFC tight ends in receptions (43), yards (528) and TDs (six) this season and reeled in 13 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns versus the Cowboys last season.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS (5-4 SU, 5-4 ATS, 5-4 O/U): While Elliott's absence is due to his suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy, Smith could sit out his second straight game as a result of a groin injury that prevented him from practicing on Wednesday and Thursday. Byron Bell received first-team reps in his place in favor of Chaz Green, who started and struggled at Atlanta. Alfred Morris rushed five times on the opening drive last week and finished with 53 yards on 11 carries. Dez Bryant has been slowed by an ailing knee, limiting him to just 39 yards receiving in two of his last three games.
CHEERLEADER BATTLE:
TRENDS:
* Eagles are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
* Cowboys are 2-8 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 14-2 in Eagles last 16 road games.
* Over is 5-1 in Cowboys last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
View full list of betting trends for this matchup here.
COVERS CONSENSUS: The Covers public is siding with the road chalk Eagles at a rate of 74 percent and the Over is getting 73 percent of the totals action on Covers. View full consensus data here.
