Cowboys to plan for 3 different Eagle QBs Sunday

As the Dallas Cowboys enter the final two games of the season, there is nothing I want more than to beat the Eagles and have a chance to mess up their seeding in the NFC playoffs.

Dallas is coming off a solid win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game that they needed to win to stay atop of the NFC South. Now the Cowboys look to have the same type of impact on a team that is looking to take control of a top three seed.

Yet, the Eagles are not even sure who is going to be the starting quarterback on Sunday, a game that got flexed into the noon window on Sunday. Mike Zimmer and the defense is going to have to prepare for two guys ahead of this matchup.

NFL shifted Sunday’s Cowboys-Eagles game to noon and the Packers-Vikings game to 3:25 pm@DLLS_Cowboys pic.twitter.com/SD7TLWsePi

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 23, 2024

GAME INFO:

Date: Sunday, December 29th | Time: Noon

Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: FOX | Stream: NFL+ & FuboTV

Radio: 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM), 107.5 La Grande in Spanish (KMVK-FM)

ODDS:

Moneyline (ML): Cowboys +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Eagles -395 (bet $400 to win $100)

Against the spread (ATS): Cowboys +9 (-110) | Eagles -9 (-110)

Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Betting Facts

The Cowboys are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games, while they are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games on the road.

The Philadelphia Eagles are 3-6 (33.3%) against the spread in their last 9 games vs. bottom 10 scoring defenses.

The Dallas defense has played very well as of late, but the absence of DeMarcus Lawrence, Trevon Diggs and DeMarvion Overshown.

Dallas ranks 28th in our NFL power rankings and sits 10th in the NFC. They are 6-9 against the spread this season, with an average scoring margin of -5.3 points per game. Their O/U record is 10-5, with the over hitting in two straight games.

Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer joked that “it’s been a blast” when asked if he has enjoyed this year being back in coaching. Dallas got off to a rough start, but Zimmer does not regret coaching this season.

“I’ve had fun. … But it’s been hard. I’m not gonna lie about that. It’s been… pic.twitter.com/QjVtEkxyaX

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 23, 2024

Jalen Hurts or Kenny Pickett?

Jalen Hurts is in concussion protocol after he suffered the injury at the end of a 13-year scramble with around 10 minutes to play in the first quater of their loss last week against the Washington Commanders.

Kenny Pickett replaced Hurts and was 14-of-24 for 143 yards with a touchdown and an interception for a 72.0 passer rating in the 36-33 loss to the Commanders.

So Mike Zimmer needs to prepare for both Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett, and if Kenny does indeed play, but Pickett is also dealing with a problem himself.

Kenny sustained a rib injury during the game last week also. According to ESPN”s Tim McManus, Pickett told reporters after the game his ribs were x-rayed, and he is set for further testing this week.

Tanner Mckee is the only other guy on the roster that can start the game for the Eagles if either Hurts or Pickett can go.

With Jalen Hurts, Kenny Picket hurt, the Cowboys prep work doesn't change much. Mike McCarthy: “Let’s face it, they’re not going to get too far away from their running game. Saquon is having MVP season.”

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 24, 2024

During his three seasons at Stanford, McKee completed 63.2% of his passes (473/748) for 5,336 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. If Hurts is unable to go next week, the Eagles might look to go with him rather than Pickett.

No matter who starts this Sunday, this will be the last time we see the Cowboys play the Eagles until 2025, and I would love nothing more than to beat them, and ruin the chances of any home field advantage for them in the playoffs.

You know this team is going to get a heavy dose of Saquon Barkley, and if Hurts or Pickett are still hurting, he may get the ball 90% of the time.

As the season grows near an end, this team has a lot to figure out going into 2025, and it will probably start with bringing Mike McCarthy back as the head coach, and if that happens, this team is going to need to figure out how to play the entire year like they have the last few weeks.