Week 9 NFL odds have Eagles favored over the Cowboys in Dallas

The Philadelphia Eagles are 3-4 coming out of the bye week and only half a game back out of the NFC East lead. Even better for the Birds is the fact that they have the easiest schedule remaining in the division.

That schedule resumes this week when the Eagles play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. While the Eagles rested this weekend, the Cowboys lost their fifth straight game in a row to drop down to 2-5. Dallas has struggled ever since losing star receiver Dez Bryant, who returned against the Seahawks but didn't do much, and Tony Romo. The Cowboys' starting quarterback isn't eligible to return to the active roster until late November at the earliest, so the Eagles will be facing Matt Cassel at quarterback.

The good news for the Eagles is that they're already favored to beat the Giants. The Birds have opened as 2.5 point road favorites. If both teams were viewed as evenly matched, the Cowboys would be standard three point home favorites. Instead, the Eagles are viewed as the significantly better team.

Of course, it's hard to feel very confident about this Eagles team considering their offensive struggles this year. Sam Bradford is near the top of the NFL in interceptions. Philadelphia's wide receivers can't catch a pass to save their lives. The offensive line has been better in recent weeks, but Philadelphia really struggled to run the ball against Dallas when these two teams played in Week 2. This game isn't going to be a cake walk for the Eagles.

It's very much an important game. With a win, the Eagles can move back up to .500 at 4-4. The Birds can also essentially end the Cowboys' season by burying them at 2-6.