The Philadelphia Eagles might need the league’s finest report, however sportsbooks are giving the Dallas Cowboys a 4-point benefit when the pair meet for an NFC East Christmas Eve showdown.

The division rivals meet at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for five:25 p.m. ET.

A win would see Philly formally clinch the highest spot within the NFC East, and whereas the Cowboys technically nonetheless have an opportunity to clinch the divisional crown, it will require them to win out the rest of the season (Philadelphia, at Tennessee, at Washington) with the Eagles shedding out (at Dallas, New Orleans, New York Giants).

Whereas we will run by numerous eventualities, the Cowboys nonetheless have a transparent path to the postseason, with an NFC Wild Card spot all however tied up at this level.

Saturday morning’s line gives Dallas at -4, however opening NFL odds had them at a a lot tighter -2 when it first hit the board. The quantity noticed a serious swing as soon as it turned clear that Philly QB Jalen Hurts can be sidelined, leaping as excessive as -5.5 at some retailers earlier than falling again to its present providing.

This information additionally had its influence on the sport’s betting whole, with the opening line of fifty.5 plunging to 46.5 on the time of writing. These groups have confirmed to mild up the scoreboard when wanted, however the present line is far more on track with the 42-points the dup delivered of their 26-17 battle in October.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys Betting Odds through BetOnline.AG

Eagles vs Cowboys Cash Line

Eagles vs Cowboys Level Unfold

Eagles vs Cowboys Betting Whole

This matchup appears to be like to supply a traditional instance of misdirection, the place informal bettors are being suckered in by a public workforce trying to enhance their playoff positioning towards a backup quarterback.

The argument sounds legitimate, however it negates highlighting a number of the key absences on the Dallas defensive aspect of the ball.

Dallas can be with out their main tackler, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Fellow linebacker Micah Parsons had missed apply earlier within the week resulting from sickness, however the workforce signifies he’ll swimsuit up for motion as we speak.

The defensive position may even really feel the absence of Demarcus Lawrence, who continues to be listed as questionable with an damage.

This forces us to take a better take a look at Hurts’ substitute, Gardner Minshew. Whereas the previous Jaguar is second on the depth chart, he’s skilled sufficient to handle the clock and permit his workforce to run their strategy to a victory towards a restricted Cowboy protection.

Philly backs Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell will see their numbers referred to as repeatedly all through the day, and I totally count on what had the potential to be a high-action spectacle to show right into a extra drawn-out battle.

The drop within the whole displays this sentiment, and the road has adjusted accordingly to the purpose the place any worth on the ‘beneath’ might need already been erased.

That being stated, the unfold has overreacted to the Hurts information in a method that opens the door for these keen to take an opportunity with the Eagles. Philly’s protection has the flexibility to sluggish and restrict Dallas’ assault, all whereas serving up a sluggish calculated offense of their very own. I just like the Eagles to maintain it inside 3 and even win on this scenario, as Minshew proves he can carry this workforce to the highest seed within the convention in Hurts’ absence.

Wager Philadelphia +4.5