Philadelphia +7.5
Philadelphia +266
Scarf down the turkey! Put the presents back under the tree! Tonight in Dallas we get the best present of all. Philly is traveling to the Lone Star state in a game that could decide the champion of the NFC East.
The Eagles come in hot off a big win at Giants Stadium last week in which they severely outplayed their counterparts. The victory moved Philly to 8-6 and one game off the pace in the East. Many pundits thought the Giants would be able to run all over Philly, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. Brian Westbrook had a field day as the Eagles out gained the Giants 161-88 on the ground. Garcia was efficient, throwing for a 237 and a TD, besting his counterpart Manning, who was harassed into two costly interceptions, one of which the Eagles took back for a TD.
Dallas, meanwhile is coming off a road victory over the Falcons. The game was close until the fourth quarter, when Marion Barber took over and put the Cowboys up for good.
The Boys have some defensive concerns of their own entering today's game. They have allowed an average of 30 points and 298.7 yards through the air over their L3 games. In games against Atlanta and New Orleans, they gave up far too many big plays. Those teams combined for eight passing plays of 25 yards or more. The Eagles had five such plays in the teams earlier meeting.
Jeff Garcia has been filling in admirably for McNabb, leading the Eagles to a 3-1 record. Garcia has a 108.0 passer rating since becoming the starter, throwing eight touchdown passes against one interception. Reggie Brown could be a big factor in this game for the Birds. He has emerged as Garcia's favorite target , with TD catches in three of his last four games and was able to beat Dallas for 79 yards and a TD back in October. Westbrook is another (obvious) factor for the Eagles. He has been averaging 141 yp/g since his week 9 bye, with four TDs over that span. Defensively the key is Lito Shephard. He blanketed Owens in the last meeting and held him to just three catches (despite thirteen balls being thrown his way) and has 5 INTS in his L5 against Dallas, including two 100+ yard TD returns.
Both teams have lots to play for. Dallas has already assured themselves of a playoff berth. Philadelphia can wrap one up with a victory, but more importantly they will have the inside track on the division due to sweeping the season series with Dallas. Philadelphia is 4-1 SU (3-1-1 ATS) this season against NFC East foes. Their only setback was a 31-24 loss to the Giants in which they gave away a 17-point fourth quarter lead. They have averaged 29.2 pp/g against the East this season and are rolling along looking for their third straight victory away from home. Dallas is just 2-3 SU against their division this season.
Philadelphia +266
Scarf down the turkey! Put the presents back under the tree! Tonight in Dallas we get the best present of all. Philly is traveling to the Lone Star state in a game that could decide the champion of the NFC East.
The Eagles come in hot off a big win at Giants Stadium last week in which they severely outplayed their counterparts. The victory moved Philly to 8-6 and one game off the pace in the East. Many pundits thought the Giants would be able to run all over Philly, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. Brian Westbrook had a field day as the Eagles out gained the Giants 161-88 on the ground. Garcia was efficient, throwing for a 237 and a TD, besting his counterpart Manning, who was harassed into two costly interceptions, one of which the Eagles took back for a TD.
Dallas, meanwhile is coming off a road victory over the Falcons. The game was close until the fourth quarter, when Marion Barber took over and put the Cowboys up for good.
The Boys have some defensive concerns of their own entering today's game. They have allowed an average of 30 points and 298.7 yards through the air over their L3 games. In games against Atlanta and New Orleans, they gave up far too many big plays. Those teams combined for eight passing plays of 25 yards or more. The Eagles had five such plays in the teams earlier meeting.
Jeff Garcia has been filling in admirably for McNabb, leading the Eagles to a 3-1 record. Garcia has a 108.0 passer rating since becoming the starter, throwing eight touchdown passes against one interception. Reggie Brown could be a big factor in this game for the Birds. He has emerged as Garcia's favorite target , with TD catches in three of his last four games and was able to beat Dallas for 79 yards and a TD back in October. Westbrook is another (obvious) factor for the Eagles. He has been averaging 141 yp/g since his week 9 bye, with four TDs over that span. Defensively the key is Lito Shephard. He blanketed Owens in the last meeting and held him to just three catches (despite thirteen balls being thrown his way) and has 5 INTS in his L5 against Dallas, including two 100+ yard TD returns.
Both teams have lots to play for. Dallas has already assured themselves of a playoff berth. Philadelphia can wrap one up with a victory, but more importantly they will have the inside track on the division due to sweeping the season series with Dallas. Philadelphia is 4-1 SU (3-1-1 ATS) this season against NFC East foes. Their only setback was a 31-24 loss to the Giants in which they gave away a 17-point fourth quarter lead. They have averaged 29.2 pp/g against the East this season and are rolling along looking for their third straight victory away from home. Dallas is just 2-3 SU against their division this season.
