Cowboys vs. Eagles 2021 NFL Week 18 Odds, Preview & Pick

By Hank Blaine • January 6, 2022

This season to appease its ESPN/ABC television partners, the NFL allowed two Week 18 games to be flexed to Saturday. The primetime matchup on Saturday is an NFC East matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, but in a way it doesn’t matter much.

Find a full preview of the Panthers vs. Buccaneers game below brought to you by the Nitrobetting team.

Cowboys vs. Eagles Game Information

When: Saturday, January 6, 2022, 8:15 PM ET
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV: ESPN
Radio: KRLD-FM 105.3 THE FAN (Cowboys) / WIP-FM 94.1 (Eagles)
Live Stream: NFL Network, NFL League Pass
NFL Odds: Cowboys (-7) / Eagles (+7)

Why Bet on the Dallas Cowboys?

Dallas has clinched the NFC East and probably can’t improve its seeding overall so the Cowboys might rest guys, too, although owner/GM Jerry Jones says the team will play its starters and to win.

Among 32 possible Week 18 scenarios that don’t involve ties, the Cowboys will keep the NFC’s No. 4 seed in 28 of them regardless. Two scenarios — a Cowboys win combined with wins by the 49ers, Seahawks and Buccaneers — would put Dallas in the No. 3 seed. In two others, a Cowboys win combined with wins by the 49ers, Seahawks and Panthers, Dallas would get the No. 2 seed.

The Cowboys have an opportunity to finish undefeated against the NFC East for the first time since 1998, With his players on a short week, Coach Mike McCarthy said he’ll evaluate injury concerns as the week progresses. Specifically, he was asked about Ezekiel Elliott’s status, as the veteran running back has been nursing a knee injury for much of the season.

On Wednesday, the Cowboys placed superstar rookie linebacker Micah Parsons on the reserve/COVID-19 list. A near-lock for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Parsons is going to very much be in the Defensive Player of the Year award, too. He has 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, and leads the league with 20 tackles for loss. The NFL rookie record for sacks is 14.5. New NFL protocols state that players can return to the team after just five days but must be symptom-free.

In Week 3, the Cowboys blasted the Eagles 41-21. Dak Prescott threw for three touchdowns, Ezekiel Elliott ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns, and tight end Dalton Schultz had the first two-TD game of his career. Trevon Diggs returned an interception 59 yards for a score. Jalen Hurts finished 25 of 39 for 326 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. Plenty of his passing yards, and the second TD, came with the game out of reach.

Why Bet on the Philadelphia Eagles?

Philadelphia has clinched a wild-card spot and thus really has no reason to play its starters in this game and risk injury. Coach Nick Sirianni said that the team is still working its way to a decision and “taking everything into account” when it comes to the benefits of resting players as opposed to staying sharp by playing in the final game of the regular season. That it’s a short week also surely will be taken into account. Philadelphia almost surely will be facing Tampa Bay on wild-card weekend regardless of what happens in this game.

Early this week, tight end Dallas Goedert, center Jason Kelce and Pro Bowl defensive lineman Fletcher Cox were among roughly a dozen Eagles players who tested positive for COVID-19. Top running back Miles Sanders is dealing with a broken bone in his hand and will not play in Week 18. The Eagles hope he’s ready for the playoff game.

At one point, the Eagles were 2-5 coming off a loss at Las Vegas. Then the Eagles turned the season around and have won 7 of their last 9 games. In their last seven wins, the Eagles have scored 30 points in all but two and have hit 40 points twice behind the most rushing yards per game in the NFL. Linebacker T.J. Edwards says the message from the coaching staff has been consistent and the players have appreciated that approach.

“At the end of the day I think the thing that Coach (Nick) Sirianni has done so well is keeping the messages the same,” Edwards said. “There’s never been a panic and even when we were down at our worst there’s never been a time when everyone is freaking out.”

Cowboys vs Eagles Betting Trends

Cowboys are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games.
Cowboys are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
The total went under in 8 of Dallas’ last 10 games.
Eagles are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. NFC.
Eagles are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC East.
The total went over in 7 of Philadelphia’s last 10 games.

Cowboys vs Eagles Expert Betting Predictions

NFL Pick: Cowboys 23, Eagles 16

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 NFL Regular Season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.