The NFL returns! The Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles will raise the Super Bowl LIX banner at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to kick things off. They’ll then turn their attention to their NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, for the first of 272 regular-season NFL games. Let’s jump in and take a look at this Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles preview and predictions.
The Dallas Cowboys finished the 2024 season just 7-10. Quarterback Dak Prescott played in just eight games before going down with a hamstring injury that would require surgery and force him to finish the season on the IR. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy’s contract expired after the season and was not renewed. Brian Schottenheimer, who has been with the Cowboys since 2022, most recently as their offensive coordinator, was promoted to head coach. The team traded for George Pickens in the off-season, and last week made the blockbuster trade to send Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history and did it in convincing fashion. The Kansas City Chiefs were looking to become the first team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row, but Philadelphia absolutely blew their doors off. They keep all the main pieces of their offense intact, including extensions for Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens, and Saquon Barkley. All as they attempt to run it back in 2025. Their defense suffered a few losses, but their first five NFL Draft picks were all on the defensive side of the ball.
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles Preview and Predictions
Devonta Smith Longest Reception Over 20.5 Yards (-115)
This is easily my favorite bet for Thursday Night Football to kick off the NFL season. Every time Jalen Hurts drops back and fires down the field, I’ll be looking to see if he’s targeting #6. Smith had catches longer than 21 yards in three of the Eagles’ four playoff games. In nine of the 12 regular-season games he played in 2024. In the Eagles’ 41-7 victory over the Cowboys in December, Smith caught a bomb for 49 yards as part of his 120-yard game. He’s also hit this in four of the last five games against the Cowboys.
HURTS LAUNCHES DEEP TO DEVONTA SMITH.
46-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
📺: #PHIvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/u4yjFvgeOi— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Dallas Cowboys +9.5 (-120)
Hopefully, I don’t get fired for picking the Cowboys here against SGP policy, but my job is to pick winners. I think the Eagles will win this one, but Dallas can keep it within nine points. It’s a division game, on prime time, to open the season. The Cowboys will watch the Eagles unveil their Super Bowl banners and be reared up and ready to go. Dak Prescott is 9-4 against the Eagles overall in his career. Before last season, when Prescott didn’t play either game. The Cowboys were 5-2 ATS against the Eagles in their last seven games. Eagles win on banner night, but Dallas keeps the game close and covers this one.
