The Dallas Cowboys are top favorites to win their NFL division once again this season.

Week 17 NFL Betting Lines: Dallas At Philadelphia

Written by on December 30, 2016

When it comes to wagering in the final week of the NFL season, you need to do so with a little bit of caution. There are several teams that have already clinched a spot, and who cannot be moved from their current seed position. Those teams are likely to look at their starters to see who will sit, and who will be limited in their time on the field. The Dallas Cowboys are in the enviable position of having the top seed and home field advantage through the playoffs in the NFC, and they look like the team most likely to limit the playing time of their guys. Even if Dak Prescott does start under center, you can bet that he will be told to limit his scrambling, and to just throw the ball away if he senses any contact. I do not see him staying out there the full four quarters, especially against an Eagles team that will be looking to finish a poor season on a high.

In Depth Analysis On The Week 17 NFL Betting Lines: Cowboys At Eagles

When: Sunday, January 1 at 4:25 PM EST Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia TV: FOX Radio: KRLD and WIP Live Stream: FOX Sports GO NFL Odds: TBA  
 

Why bet on the Dallas Cowboys

You have to believe that the Cowboys would not be a 3.5-point underdog if the bookies believed that the full slate of starters would be playing from start to finish in this one. After a bit of a stumble versus the Giants a couple of weeks ago, the Cowboys have been back to their brilliant best, and were simply outstanding in a 42-21 dismantling of the Detroit Lions last weekend. The Cowboys may only be 3-2 in their division games, but both losses came versus the Giants, with their last meeting against Philly ending in a 29-23 win. Dallas Cowboys has embraced the underdog tag when they have been saddled with it this season, going a perfect 3-0 ATS in those games.

Why bet on the Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have seen their season fall apart after a very promising start, but they proved last week that they are intent on finishing strong, upsetting the Giants in a gritty 24-19 win. They will fancy their chances of closing out with back to back wins if the Cowboys decide to shut some guys down in this one, but they could well be in trouble if it’s a full-strength team they are facing. The Eagles have had mixed success as the favorite this season, going 3-3 ATS in those games, although they have covered in each of their last two outings. Things have been tight between these two, and it’s the Cowboys with a slight 6-4 SU edge in the last 10 meetings.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I am always a little wary about making predictions for these types of games, but I also refuse to sit on the fence. I think that all the Dallas starters will see some playing time, and that they will do enough early on to get the win here.

Dallas Cowboys 24 Philadelphia Eagles 20