PHILADELPHIA vs DALLAS
When: 12/27/2020 4:25 PM
Where:

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: 2.5
PREDICTION: DALLAS , PHILADELPHIA

Oddsmakers currently have the DALLAS listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 49.5.

A lot has changed in the past two months, since Week 8, when the starting quarterbacks for the Philadelphia-Dallas game were rookie Ben DiNucci for the Cowboys and veteran Carson Wentz for the Eagles.

For this Sunday’s NFC East rematch in Arlington, Texas, they have sort of flip-flopped behind center, with Philly starting a rookie and Dallas starting a veteran.

Two native Texans will be under center as 22-year-old rookie Jalen Hurts leads Philadelphia (4-9-1) against 33-year-old veteran Andy Dalton and Dallas (5-9).

With the Washington Football Team sitting at 6-8, both teams need to win and get some help to keep their faint playoff pulse going.

Hurts, a second-round pick, is 1-1 as the starter since replacing Wentz. After an upset win against New Orleans in Week 14, the Eagles fell 33-26 last Sunday at Arizona despite 338 yards and four touchdowns from Hurts (three passes and a 7-yard run).

“He led the team. He played mentally and physically tough,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “He’s an extremely hard worker. He’s diligent. He wants to improve. He took the loss (Sunday) very personally. He wants to get back out there and keep going.”

Since taking over for Wentz in the second half at Green Bay in Week 13, Hurts has generated 812 yards of total offense (614 passing, 198 rushing) with six TDs. Most important, perhaps, is that he has turned the ball over only twice in those 10 quarters. Wentz hasn’t played since Dec. 6 and his 15 interceptions are still two more than any other player.

“I think I hate losing more than I love to win,” Hurts said after coming up short against the Cardinals. “It’s not a great feeling. It’s a learning lesson. Everything can be better moving forward.”

The Cowboys have certainly played better since Dalton returned to the lineup in Week 11, winning back-to-back games and three of their last five. He has completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 1,097 yards with 10 scores and three picks during that five-game stretch. He has not been intercepted since Dec. 8.

Signed to a one-year deal to back up Dak Prescott, Dalton’s stay in Dallas could be extended beyond this season based on his recent play.

“He’s doing a great job, and certainly we’d love to have him back,” Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said on 105.3 FM The Fan after Sunday’s 41-33 win against the 49ers.

“We’ll just have to address that at the end of the year in terms of what goals, what he’s wanting to do, what his opportunities are, but he’s a guy who’s from this area, went to school over at TCU, and I know he makes his home right here in Dallas. … So, I’m sure we’ll have every opportunity to talk through what the business is going to be with Andy, but he’s just a class act.”

After missing his first-ever regular-season game due to injury last week, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (calf) did resistance training at practice Wednesday and could be back in the lineup Sunday.

Tony Pollard scored twice and gained 132 yards from scrimmage (69 yards on a 5.8-yard rushing average with two TDs), against the Niners in Elliott’s absence.

Five players missed Wednesday’s workouts for the Cowboys: linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (ankle), defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (ankle), safety Xavier Woods (ribs), cornerback Rashard Robinson (knee) and tight end Blake Bell (illness). Receiver Michael Gallup (hip), linebackers Jaylon Smith (wrist) and Sean Lee (knee) and corners Chidboe Awuzie (ankle/knee) and Trevon Diggs (foot) were full participants.

Cornerback Darius Slay was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice for Philly after missing the Arizona game with a concussion. Rookie wideout Jalen Reagor (ankle) and linebacker Duke Riley (bicep) were both limited, while Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (neck, rest), defensive end Josh Sweat (wrist), cornerback Kevon Seymour (knee), tight end Richard Rodgers (ankle) and punter Cameron Johnston (concussion) did not participate.

The Eagles are looking to sweep the season series for the first time since 2011. In the first meeting, Philadelphia sacked DiNucci four times and the 2020 seventh-rounder lost two fumbles.

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DALLAS vs NY GIANTS
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -3
PREDICTION: NY GIANTS , DALLAS

Oddsmakers currently have the NY GIANTS listed as -3 point favorites versus the DALLAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.5.

The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants both find themselves facing the same scenario heading into their regular-season finale on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J. — win and wait.

The victor of their contest at MetLife Stadium will keep its NFC East Division title hopes alive for at least a few more hours. But both teams need a victory by the Philadelphia Eagles over the visiting Washington Football Team on Sunday night to clinch the crown and become just the fifth team since the NFL-AFL merger to enter the playoffs with a losing record, and only the third during a 16-game season.

The Giants (5-10), who bring a three-game losing streak into the contest, also could become the first team to advance to the postseason with a 6-10 record. Both Seattle (7-9, 2010) and Carolina (7-8-1, 2014) made the playoffs with losing marks while Cleveland and Detroit also qualified for a special 16-team playoff tournament with 4-5 records during the strike-shortened 1982 season.

Here’s the kicker. Providing they get an assist from the Eagles, the winner of Sunday’s elimination game not only gets to claim the NFC East crown but also will go into the playoffs as the No. 4 seed and will likely host Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round.

First-year Giants coach Joe Judge made it clear during a Zoom call with reporters that he wanted his team to concentrate on trying to snap its seven-game losing streak to the Cowboys (6-9) and not the possibility of playing in the postseason.

“Our focus still needs to remain on the Cowboys,” Judge said. “That’s the priority this week. We remain focused on improving as a team. We have a division rival coming up ahead, it’s a big game for us. Obviously, there are implications. As I’ve said all along, those games now don’t exist. Until I can talk about any kind of opponent coming up beyond who we’re playing, there’s not a conversation to be had. Our focus remains on the Cowboys.”

“I’m just focused on Dallas,” added center Nick Gates. “We have to beat Dallas first to be able to even think about the playoffs. After we beat them, we have to see if Washington wins. I’m just focused on Dallas and trying to give ourselves the best opportunity.”

The Cowboys bring a three-game winning streak into the contest including a 37-17 victory over the Eagles last Sunday as Andy Dalton threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns and Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 105 yards on 19 carries.

“A win is a win. No matter how you get there, a win is a win,” Elliott said when asked about the possibility of winning the NFC East with a losing record. “So, I mean, if we win the division at 7-9, it’s the same as winning it at 14-2.”

Besides, many wrote the Cowboys off after losing starting quarterback Dak Prescott to a season-ending injury in the first meeting with the Giants in Week 5. Dalton came off the bench to finish 9 of 11 for 111 yards and lead a game-winning drive capped by Greg Zuerlein’s 34-yard field goal as time expired in the 37-34 victory.

“You go into the playoffs with a 0-0 record, so I mean, winning the division, it doesn’t matter what the record is.” Elliott, who needs 63 rushing yards to hit the 1,000-mark, said. “If you win it, you win it.”

Four Cowboys — safeties Darian Thompson (concussion) and Donovan Wilson (illness), linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (ankle) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (knee) — didn’t practice Wednesday while corner Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring, groin) and safety Xavier Woods (ribs) were limited. All-Pro guard Zack Martin, on injured reserve with a calf injury, and defensive back Steven Parker (ankle) were both designated for return but owner Jerry Jones said on his radio show it was “unlikely” Martin, who didn’t practice Wednesday, would play Sunday.

Wide receiver Golden Tate (calf) and fullback Eli Penny (illness) both did not practice Wednesday for the Giants but quarterback Daniel Jones (hamstring) was a full participant as was corner Darnay Holmes (knee). Tight end Evan Engram (calf), safety Jabrill Peppers (ankle) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (ribs) were limited.

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DALLAS vs LA RAMS
When: 9/13/2020 8:20 PM
Where:

TV: 8:20 PM
LINE: 2.5
PREDICTION: LA RAMS , DALLAS

Oddsmakers currently have the LA RAMS listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the DALLAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 49.5.

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Frederick, who retired in March, was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2019 after missing the entire 2018 season with Guillain-Barre syndrome. He’s the 52nd Halas Award winner, the second member of the Cowboys to receive the honor, joining Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach (1980).

The Halas Award is given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes adversity to succeed. The award is named for a charter member (1963) of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who had a role with the formation of the NFL and owned the Chicago Bears until his death in 1983.

In his retirement announcement, Frederick wrote:

“I started a journey almost two years ago that completely blindsided me. When I developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, I did not know how to handle things. I was scared. That experience forced me to re-evaluate my life priorities. I spent much of that year thinking about both the past and future. I realized how fortunate I was to play a game for a living. I realized how fortunate I was to make friends and become teammates with some great men.

“I made my return to the field, played well overall, and was selected to the Pro Bowl, but it was a difficult year for me. Each day, I faced a struggle: I could no longer perform at my highest level. Playing “well” is not what I expect of myself and is not what my teammates deserve. Because of this, I know my days as a football player are done. I am proud of what I have accomplished in my career, and I walk away with my head held high.”

Frederick was a first-round pick in the 2013 draft and became the first Cowboys rookie to start every game at center. He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system, in 2018.

Other 2020 nominees for the Halas Award were Ravens tight end coach Bobby Engram, Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen, Chargers tackle Russell Okung and Raiders tight end Darren Waller.

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There is also still time to work out a long-term deal for the star quarterback.

Prescott signed his $31.4 million tender under the franchise tag Monday. That comes just over three weeks before the July 15 deadline to agree on a long-term deal.

By signing the offer under the franchise tag, Prescott is obligated to report for all team activities or risk being fined. He didn’t participate in the club’s virtual offseason program while unsigned.

Prescott played the final year of his rookie contract on just a $2 million salary. He was the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year while leading the Cowboys to the NFC’s top seed in the playoffs and won his first postseason game two years later.

There has never been a question of whether Prescott is the franchise quarterback in Dallas. Owner Jerry Jones has repeatedly made that clear as the sides have spent more than a year trying to agree on a long-term contract.

Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence has the highest per-year average in Dallas history at $21 million. The two-time Pro Bowler signed a $105 million, five-year deal last year.

Prescott has started every game of his career after replacing the injured Tony Romo during the 2016 preseason. He led a franchise-record 11-game winning streak during the regular season before Dallas lost to Green Bay in the divisional round.

The Cowboys missed the playoffs in Prescott’s second year when fellow rookie sensation Ezekiel Elliott was suspended six games. With his running back in the fold for a full season in 2018, Prescott led Dallas to another NFC East title and a wild-card win over Seattle before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.

The two-time Pro Bowler started his rookie season third on the depth chart after getting drafted in the fourth round out of Mississippi State. He moved up a spot when Kellen Moore was injured in training camp, and took over as the starter after Romo injured his back in a preseason game. Romo never got his job back.

Despite missing the playoffs again last season, Prescott had career bests with 4,902 yards passing and 30 touchdowns.

The Cowboys didn’t renew coach Jason Garrett’s contract after a season that fell far of expectations and hired Mike McCarthy. The former Green Bay coach won a Super Bowl with Aaron Rogers a decade ago.

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BUFFALO vs DALLAS
When: 4:30 PM ET, Thursday, November 28, 2019
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

TV: 4:30 PM
LINE: -6.5
PREDICTION: DALLAS , BUFFALO

Oddsmakers currently have the DALLAS listed as -6.5 point favorites versus the BUFFALO, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.5.

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DALLAS vs WASHINGTON
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 15, 2019
Where: FedExField, Landover, Maryland

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. 
LINE: Cowboys -5.5. 
O/U: 45.5
PREDICTION: Cowboys 27, Redskins 19

Oddsmakers currently have the WASHINGTON listed as 5.5 point favorites versus the DALLAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.5.

The Dallas Cowboys are considered the team to beat in the NFC East and a soft schedule to open the season will just enhance their front-runner status. Following an impressive performance in a Week 1 rout of the New York Giants, the Cowboys look to make it two wins in as many weeks against a division opponent when they visit the Washington Redskins on Sunday afternoon.

Dallas steamrolled the Giants 35-17 despite a part-time contribution from running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was in uniform just days after ending his holdout by signing a six-year, $90 million extension last week. “We’re so balanced and have so many playmakers around the field, it puts a lot of stress on the defense,” Elliott said of the Cowboys, who scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions. Washington will need to tighten up on defense after squandering an early 17-point lead and allowing 25 points after halftime in a 32-27 setback at Philadelphia. “I’m excited to play these guys,” said Redskins quarterback Case Keenum, a Texas native who played collegiately at the University of Houston. “They’re a great football team. Their front is obviously very dangerous. … We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (1-0): While Elliott (13 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD last week) was the focus of much of the media attention during his contract holdout, Dak Prescott showed he can carry the offense by throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns to earn a perfect quarterback rating (158.3). Amari Cooper and newcomer Randall Cobb each hauled in scoring passes from Prescott while second-year wideout Michael Gallup had a monster game, setting career highs with seven receptions for 158 yards. Dallas did allow 151 yards rushing and 470 total yards to the Giants, but the defense recorded three sacks and three interceptions in the last meeting with Washington.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (0-1): Washington already has a serious injury concern as running back Derrius Guice, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, hurt his other knee in the opener and underwent surgery Thursday that could sideline him for up to two months. Veteran Adrian Peterson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season but was inactive in Week 1, will take over as the primary ball carrier behind Keenum, who was a bright spot in his Redskins debut by throwing for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie wideout Terry McLaurin had five catches for 125 yards, but the defense allowed Philadelphia to convert 11 of 17 on third down.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Prescott has 10 TD passes and zero interceptions in his last five NFC East road games.

2. Redskins TE Jordan Reed, who is in the concussion protocol but hopes to play, has 51 catches in 10 games versus Dallas.

3. Elliott was held to 33 yards rushing at Washington last season but had 121 yards and a TD in the rematch in Dallas.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 27, Redskins 19

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NY GIANTS vs DALLAS
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, September 8, 2019
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: -8
PREDICTION: DALLAS , NY GIANTS

Oddsmakers currently have the DALLAS listed as -8 point favorites versus the NY GIANTS, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

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PHILADELPHIA EAGLES vs DALLAS COWBOYS
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, December 9, 2018
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: -3.5
PREDICTION: DALLAS , PHILADELPHIA

Oddsmakers currently have the DALLAS listed as -3.5 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.

The Dallas Cowboys began the turnaround to their season by watching Ezekiel Elliott score twice in a 27-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 11. The Cowboys bid to strengthen their grip atop the NFC East and push their winning streak to five games at AT&T Stadium on Sunday when they vie for their first season sweep of the Eagles since 2012.

Elliott rushed for 151 yards and added six catches for 36 yards in Philadelphia on that night, beginning a stretch of four games in which he totaled 666 scrimmage yards (469 rushing, 197 receiving) and five touchdowns. The 2016 NFL rushing leader hasn’t spared the Eagles since entering the league, erupting for 476 scrimmage yards in three encounters. Philadelphia answered its setback to Dallas by getting shellacked by New Orleans, but has since regained its swagger with consecutive victories over NFC East rivals New York and Washington to remain one game behind the first-place Cowboys with four to play. “I mean, you look at Dallas’ history, they always choke. So we’ll go down there and make them choke.” Eagles linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill said, via NBC Philadelphia.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Cowboys -3.5. O/U: 44

ABOUT THE EAGLES (6-6): Carson Wentz, who reached the 300-yard plateau for the fifth time this season in Monday’s 28-13 win over the Redskins, threw for a season-high 360 yards to go along with a pair of touchdown passes to tight end Zach Ertz in the first meeting with Dallas. Ertz posted campaign bests in receptions (14) and receiving yards (145) in that contest and could become the fourth tight end in NFL history to record at least 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season with seven catches and 22 receiving yards on Sunday. In-season trade acquisition Golden Tate made his presence felt with seven receptions for 85 yards and a score against Washington and aims to light up the Cowboys for the second time this season, having done so with eight catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns in Detroit’s 26-24 setback on Sept. 30. “I don’t think about the individual too much. I just wanted to be available when my time came and wanted to help this team win and win a lot,” the 30-year-old Tate said.

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (7-5): Dak Prescott was efficient in Thursday’s 13-10 upset of New Orleans, completing a season-best 85.7 percent of his passes (24 of 28) for 249 yards. The 25-year-old has developed chemistry with in-season trade acquisition Amari Cooper, connecting eight times in back-to-back weeks and on six occasions in the first meeting with Philadelphia. Cole Beasley (team-leading 48 receptions) is dealing with an injured foot that had him limited in practice this week, but the 29-year-old feels he can contribute despite making just three catches for 14 yards over his last two outings. “I’m feeling good,” Beasley told The Dallas Morning News. “If it was game time, I’d be able to go right now.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. Philadelphia DE Michael Bennett recorded two of his team-leading 6.5 sacks in the first meeting with Dallas.

2. Cowboys rookie LB Leighton Vander Esch registered a season-high 13 tackles and an interception in the initial encounter with the Eagles.

3. Philadelphia DE Brandon Graham has four sacks and two forced fumbles in his past four outings versus Dallas.

PREDICTION: Eagles 23, Cowboys 21

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DALLAS COWBOYS vs WASHINGTON REDSKINS
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 21, 2018
Where: FedExField, Landover, Maryland

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: -2
PREDICTION: WASHINGTON , DALLAS

Oddsmakers currently have the WASHINGTON listed as -2 point favorites versus the DALLAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 41.

The Dallas Cowboys attempt to break their cycle of alternating wins and losses this season and continue their recent dominance in the all-time series when they visit the NFC East-rival Washington Redskins on Sunday. Dallas is looking to post consecutive victories for the first time in 2018 after trouncing Jacksonville 40-7 last week.

The Cowboys, who have won four straight meetings with the Redskins and eight of the last 10, are winless on the road this season but have been victorious in each of their last five visits to the nation’s capital. Washington is in the same position as its bitter rival, looking to snap an identical trend and record back-to-back triumphs for the first time this year after defeating Carolina 23-17 in Week 6. The Redskins sit atop the NFC East, one-half game ahead of both Dallas and Philadelphia, but will be playing their first divisional contest of the season. Washington has not been two games over .500 since owning an 8-6-1 record in 2016 and has gone 1-7 in its last eight contests following a victory.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Redskins -1.5. O/U: 41.5

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (3-3): Dak Prescott is tied with Jack Kemp for the fourth-most games with at least one passing and one rushing touchdown in his first three seasons with nine after throwing two and running for another against Jacksonville. The 25-year-old, who rushed for a career-high 82 yards last week, is one away from tying Mark Sanchez and two shy of matching Steve Grogan for second. Ezekiel Elliott, who leads the NFL with 3,200 rushing yards since 2016, ranks second in the league this year with 586 and is third in scrimmage yards with 752.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (3-2): Adrian Peterson has gained 217 of his 339 rushing yards this season in his last two home games. The former league MVP hasn’t faced the Cowboys since Nov. 3, 2013 while with Minnesota but has rushed for a touchdown in each of his last three meetings against the club. Alex Smith, who has been sacked three times in four of his five games – fumbling in each of those contests – has thrown four of his six scoring passes this season at home.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Elliott has registered 361 yards from scrimmage and five rushing touchdowns in three career meetings versus the Redskins.

2. Washington released DL Ziggy Hood and promoted WR Jehu Chesson from the practice squad.

3. Dallas WR Terrance Williams (foot), who is on injured reserve, was handed a three-game suspension by the NFL on Thursday for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 31, Redskins 24

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