Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys Picks and Predictions December 29th 2024

Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys December 29th 2024

With the Eagles favored at -453 on the money line, they will host the Cowboys at 1:00 ET on Sunday, December 29th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. This week 17 NFC East matchup will be aired on FOX, and the Eagles are -9.5 point favorites. The Cowboys’ money line odds are +341, and the over/under line is set at 43 points.

Dallas vs. Philadelphia Key Information

• Teams: Cowboys at Eagles
• Where: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia
• Date: Sunday, December 29th
• Betting Odds PHI -453 | DAL +341 O/U 43

The Cowboys Can Win If…

With two straight wins, the Cowboys have improved to 7-8, but they are still 28th in our power rankings and have a 0.0% chance of making the playoffs. After a week 14 loss to the Bengals, Dallas bounced back with a 30-14 win over the Panthers in week 15 and a 26-24 victory over the Bucs in week 16. They were underdogs in both games, including +4.5 vs. Tampa Bay, but managed to cover the spread in each.

Dallas is 6-9 against the spread this season, with an average scoring margin of -5.3 points per game. Their O/U record stands at 10-5, with the over hitting in their last two games. The average O/U line in Cowboys games is 45.7 points, while their contests have averaged 48.5 points.

Heading into week 17, the Cowboys rank 25th in our offensive power rankings. They are 20th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 21.6, and 16th in yards per game with 328.1. Dallas has been pass-heavy, ranking 2nd in passing attempts and 10th in passing yards per game (232.9). On the ground, they rank 22nd in rushing attempts and 28th in rushing yards per game (95.2). They are 24th in the league in 3rd-down conversions, with a 36% success rate, but have been efficient in the red zone, ranking 6th with a 40.5% conversion rate.

Cooper Rush has been solid, posting a passer rating of 108 in week 16, with 292 yards on 26/35 passing. CeeDee Lamb had 7 receptions for 105 yards, and Rico Dowdle struggled, rushing for just 23 yards on 13 carries. Dallas scored 23 points in the first half against Tampa Bay but went scoreless in the 4th quarter.

In their 26-24 win over the Buccaneers, the Cowboys’ defense allowed 410 yards, with Tampa Bay averaging 5.8 yards per attempt on the ground. Dallas gave up 134 rushing yards on just 23 attempts. The Cowboys’ defense recorded four sacks and forced one interception, but the Buccaneers still managed to complete 72.1% of their passes and convert on 50% of their third down attempts. Dallas allowed 276 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.

• Through their last three games, the Cowboys have a record of 2-1. Their strong play has also resulted in an ATS mark of 2-1 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 2-1 in those same games.
• The Cowboys have gone 4-6 over their last ten regular season games. Against the spread, Dallas went 4-6 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Eagles Can Win If…

Despite a week 16 loss to the Commanders, the Eagles still sit atop the NFC East with a 12-3 record. Our projections give them a 98.4% chance of winning the division and a 100% chance of making the playoffs. Heading into week 17, they rank 5th in our NFL power rankings.

Philadelphia has a +7.9 scoring margin this season and is 9-6 against the spread. They are 6-6 ATS as favorites and 3-0 as underdogs. Their O/U record is 6-9, with their games averaging 45.7 points compared to an average line of 46.1.

Heading into week 17, the Eagles rank 4th in our offensive power rankings. They lead the NFL in rushing attempts (36.9) and rushing yards per game (187.9). Saquon Barkley rushed for 150 yards on 29 carries in week 16. Philadelphia ranks 8th in points per game (26.8) and 6th in yards per game (370.9).

Philadelphia ranks 27th in passing attempts and 31st in passing yards per game (183). A.J. Brown had 8 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown in week 16. The Eagles are 9th in 3rd-down conversion rate (42.8%) and 26th in red zone conversion percentage.

In their 36-33 loss to the Commanders, the Eagles’ defense struggled to defend the pass, giving up five touchdowns through the air. Despite forcing two interceptions, they allowed 255 passing yards on 24 completions. Washington found success on third down, converting 53.8% of their third down attempts.

Philadelphia’s run defense allowed 113 yards on 24 attempts, with Washington averaging 4.7 yards per attempt on the ground. The Eagles’ offense allowed 368 total yards and managed only one sack in the game, while also losing the tackles for loss battle.

• Over their last three games, the Eagles have gone 3-0 straight up. Their strong play has also resulted in an ATS mark of 2-1 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 0-3 in those same games.
• Across Philadelphia’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 7-3. Across these games, their ATS record was just 3-7, while posting an over-under record of 5-5.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Eagles to cover as 9.5-point favorites in this week 17 matchup against the Cowboys. We have the Eagles winning by a score of 26-12, making them our pick to cover.

For an over/under pick, we are leaning towards taking the under, with a projected combined score of 38 points and the line sitting at 43 points

Eagles Seek NFC East Crown Against Spoiler Cowboys

The Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) look to clinch the NFC East and complete a season sweep of the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) on Sunday in Philadelphia. However, questions at quarterback could complicate their mission.

Eagles’ QB Uncertainty

Starting quarterback Jalen Hurts is doubtful after sustaining a concussion in last week’s 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders, which ended the Eagles’ franchise-record 10-game winning streak.

Backup Kenny Pickett also suffered a rib injury in that game, potentially leaving third-stringer Tanner McKee under center. McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick from Stanford, has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game.

McKee is preparing as if he’ll play, saying, “I’ve always been preparing to be the starter … We’re going to take it day by day.”

Despite these setbacks, Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore praised Pickett for stepping in against Washington and throwing a touchdown pass. “I thought it was a really cool moment,” Moore said.

Cowboys Riding Cooper Rush’s Momentum

Dallas enters the game with Cooper Rush at quarterback, filling in admirably for the injured Dak Prescott. Rush has guided the Cowboys to victories in four of their last five games, throwing nine touchdowns with just one interception in that span.

Although the Cowboys are out of playoff contention for the first time since 2020, they are aiming to finish with a winning record, which would mark their fourth straight under coach Mike McCarthy.

“It’s definitely a big boost going into next season,” said Cowboys right guard Brock Hoffman.

First Meeting Revisited

The Eagles dominated the Cowboys 34-6 in Week 10, with Hurts leading the charge with two passing and two rushing touchdowns. The Cowboys, however, look like a different team with Rush at the helm.

Saquon Barkley Eyes History

With uncertainty at quarterback, the Eagles are expected to rely heavily on Saquon Barkley, who leads the league with 1,838 rushing yards. Barkley needs 268 yards over the final two games to surpass Eric Dickerson’s single-season NFL record of 2,105 yards set in 1984.

Injury Reports

• Eagles:

  • Jalen Hurts (concussion) – Did not practice.
  • Kenny Pickett (ribs) – Limited.
  • Nakobe Dean (abdomen) and Will Shipley (concussion) – Did not practice.
  • Britain Covey (neck) and Bryce Huff (wrist) – Full participants.

• Cowboys:

  • CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) and Eric Kendricks (calf) – Did not practice.
  • Jalen Tolbert (finger) – Limited.
  • Jourdan Lewis (elbow) and Mazi Smith (back) – Full participants.

Key Matchups

• Eagles Run Game vs. Cowboys Defense: With QB uncertainty, Philadelphia’s offensive line will look to create lanes for Barkley.
• Cooper Rush vs. Eagles Secondary: Rush’s ability to protect the ball will be critical against Philadelphia’s opportunistic defense.

Don’t miss out—explore NFL Week 17 Odds & Predictions for expert picks and analysis!

Prediction

Even with QB uncertainty, the Eagles’ ground game and defense may be enough to edge the Cowboys at home.

Final Score: Eagles 27, Cowboys 20