The third week of the NFL season has arrived, offering a plethora of exciting games to bet on. West Virginia sportsbooks offer an extensive selection of markets for each match, encompassing team, player, and game props.
On Monday night, the anticipation reaches its peak as two fierce rivals clash in a bid to gain an early advantage in the division. With identical records of 1-1, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are determined to secure another NFC East championship this season.
After securing their first victory of the year against the Los Angeles Chargers, America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys, employed a well-rounded strategy to narrowly defeat their opponents, relying on a last-second field goal.
In a closely contested game, the Cowboys suffered a defeat in their opener against the defending champion Bucs.
Philadelphia easily defeated the Falcons in their first game, securing a victory with a score of 32-6. However, the Eagles stumbled in their recent home game against San Francisco, losing by a mere six points.
Irrespective of the current performance of these teams, these meetings consistently prove to be immensely entertaining. In recent times, both sides have frequently been contenders for the division championship.
We will analyze and compare the two teams, as well as evaluate the odds provided by online sportsbooks in West Virginia.
Cowboys-Eagles Preview
Although this rivalry was already intense, new Eagles coach Nick Sirianni added an extra spark. During his media address earlier in the week, Sirianni sported a shirt with the words “Beat Dallas.”
The fans are aware of the importance of the game, and it seems that both locker rooms are equally prepared.
Both teams secured a win in 2020, but this match is expected to have some noticeable differences.
In their initial encounter last season, Philadelphia had Carson Wentz as their starting quarterback, whereas Dallas opted for backups Ben DiNucci and Andy Dalton. None of the three players are currently on the roster for either team.
Dak Prescott is back as the starting quarterback for Dallas and appears to be performing even better than before. Just like in their previous encounter against the Cowboys last December, the Eagles are featuring Jalen Hurts as their quarterback.
Despite Hurts’ impressive 342 passing yards, Dallas managed to emerge victorious in the game. The young quarterback has showcased his promising abilities by completing over 67% of his passes in the span of two weeks.
Not only has he thrown for more than 450 yards, but he has also managed to avoid throwing any interceptions in his last 58 attempts.
It is worth noting that Hurts holds the distinction of being Philadelphia’s top rusher as well. In a mere 17 attempts, he has managed to accumulate an impressive total of 144 rushing yards.
It is undeniable that he is the primary target of the Eagles’ offensive strategy, and Dallas will make efforts to limit his impact.
Last year, it was almost impossible for the Cowboys’ defensive unit to stop anyone, but there has been a noticeable improvement. With the arrival of new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Dallas appears much faster and more proficient.
The coaching staff acknowledges that the defense won’t be the team’s savior, but if they can simply perform at an average level, it should suffice. This is mainly due to the fact that the offense in Big D surpasses that of most other teams.
Prescott is surrounded by an abundance of weapons that pose a formidable challenge to opponents. Alongside running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, he has talented receivers such as Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.
While predicting certain divisional games can be challenging, it appears probable that a substantial number of points will be scored in this particular matchup.
Cowboys-Eagles Odds At WV Sportsbooks
Despite numerous injuries last season, the Cowboys’ offense managed to remain productive. This trend continues, as they currently hold the fourth position in total yards going into the upcoming season.
If you combine that with a Dallas defense that is currently in the process of figuring things out, there’s a chance that this game could become a high-scoring affair.
DraftKings WV Sportsbook states that the total score for the game stands at precisely 52 points.
Out of the four games played by these two teams, only the Cowboys’ opening week match in Tampa achieved a score of 50 points or more.
In terms of the game’s result, Dallas is considered a slight favorite according to the online sportsbook. DraftKings predicts a point spread of -3.5 for Dallas and a moneyline of -180.
The game offers bettors the opportunity to choose Philadelphia as the opposing team, with odds of +155 for a straight victory.
While a lopsided outcome is still a possibility, divisional matchups generally exhibit a greater level of competitiveness. The teams are well-acquainted with each other’s players and strategies, leading to games that are usually closely contested and decided by only a few points.
However, supporters of both teams should aim to secure specific spreads when making their bet.
If you’re a fan of the Eagles, seize the opportunity while it still stands at +3.5. Close games are frequently determined by a field goal, and that extra half-point could potentially be the game changer.
For those considering Dallas, the same logic holds true. It is advisable for bettors to wait and monitor the line throughout the weekend to see if it decreases.
Nowadays, with the inclusion of alternate odds in most online sportsbooks, it is possible to secure your desired number in advance.
By paying a little extra with odds at -145, you have the option to decrease it by a whole point to -2.5. While this may require an initial higher cost, it has the potential to transform a loss into a victory.
Betting On Monday Night Football Player Props
In addition, you have the option to disregard the typical game lines and instead place bets solely on player props.
Given the ability of both offenses to advance the football, it is definitely feasible to discover a few player props that favor the teams.
On DraftKings, there is an opportunity to place bets on the total combined passing and rushing yards of both quarterbacks. In this market, Prescott holds a 10-yard lead, with his total set at 308.5 yards, while Hurts trails slightly at 298.5 yards.
Both players have the option to choose either over or under selections, both priced at -115.
Additionally, there are some enticing receiving props available. Currently, the Cowboys’ Lamb leads his team with a total of 80.5 receiving yards. Although Cooper is currently unavailable, he is expected to be ready before the game if he is confirmed to play.
DeVonta Smith, the rookie for the Eagles, currently leads the visitors with a total of 51.5 yards.
Both of these markets appear to be undervaluing the production of these players. Smith impressed by surpassing 70 yards in his debut NFL game, while Lamb has consistently exceeded 81 yards in both of his appearances this season.