Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys Betting Preview
Opening Line: Eagles +4 / Cowboys -4 O/U 45
Time: 8 PM EST Saturday January 9, 2010 on NBC
The Dallas Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the NFC playoffs. These two teams met in the season finale and the Cowboys crushed the Eagles 24-0 in Dallas to win the NFC East. In the last game the Cowboys had more passing yards, dominated the ground game, and dominated the game in terms of time of possession. The Eagles have to play better on both sides of the ball, especially on offense, if they want to make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs. Tony Romo played great in the game and for most of the season, but he has still has not won one playoff game in his career in Dallas.
This season the Cowboys were 6-2 at home and 9-7 ATS and the Eagles were 5-3 in away games and 8-7-1 ATS.
Donovan McNabb leads the Eagles and their 11th ranked offense and even though he did have over 200 yards passing in the loss to the Cowboys he has to generate some points. WR's DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin have to make some plays in this game or the Eagles may be in trouble. In the loss to Dallas in the last game the Eagles only had 37 rushing yards and if they come anywhere near that amount again they will be heading home. RB's LeSean McCoy and Brain Westbrook have to pick up some yards on the game and help McNabb out. Dallas has the league's 9th ranked defense and they were legit in the win over Philly. If they can contain McNabb and the Eagles' rushing attack Romo will get his 1st playoff win.
The Cowboys have the league's 2nd ranked offense and they are great at moving the chains in the air and on the ground. If RB's Felix Jones and Marion Barber can pick up some yards it will open up the field for Romo to work his magic. The Eagle's secondary has to play well against Jason Witten and especially Miles Austin, as they cannot allow him to make the big play down the field. The Eagles defense ranks 12th in the league and pressuring Romo and containing the Cowboys' rushing game are their main goals in this game.
Philadelphia is are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10 points and are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog.
Dallas is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. win and is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games