Eagles are big favorites to beat the Cowboys in Week 8

With the 2020 Philadelphia Eagles often being bad and disappointing, it’s hard to be sure that such a thing as an “easy win” exists for them.

But if there WERE ever a week for that, it would be this one against the Dallas Cowboys. The Birds are 7.5-point favorites against their reeling division rival, according to DraftKings Nation.

For as poor as the Eagles have been against the spread this year (2-5), the Cowboys have been even worse. Historically inept, even:

Other than the desperation factor, there’s just nothing about this Cowboys team that should scare the Eagles right now.

Everyone knows by now that the Cowboys’ defense is a disaster. Dallas is allowing the most points in the league. They have the fewest takeaways in the league with just three. Their inability to create turnovers has them ranked dead last in turnover differential by far at -13. Maybe the Eagles can actually avoid giving the ball away in this game.

The Cowboys’ offense, meanwhile, is also sinking without Dak Prescott in the lineup. Dallas has only managed to score 19 points on 24 drives since their starting quarterback got hurt. For perspective, the Eagles have logged 50 points on their last 24 drives. This should be a “get right” opportunity for Carson Wentz.

Dallas figures to be worse off than ever this year on offense if Andy Dalton can’t pass through the concussion protocol this week and they have to start seventh-round rookie “Ben DiNucci” at quarterback. The Eagles’ defensive line should be able to rip through the Cowboys’ porous offensive line and make life on the James Madison product very difficult. Even if Dalton’s able to suit up, it’s hardly like he’s inspiring a ton of confidence. And he won’t be able to fully practice this week.

The Cowboys obviously do have dangerous receiving weapons in Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb (who struggled against Washington), and Michael Gallup. Ezekiel Elliott has been bad but part of his fumbling frequency has been about bad luck. Maybe the Cowboys find a way to create some issues for Jim Schwartz’s defense.

But I don’t really see it. The Eagles should be able to win this game comfortably. The Cowboys look like a team that’s already checked out on new head coach Mike McCarthy. I mean, it’ll be a new level of embarrassment if the Birds can’t beat this group. It could be like the Eagles versus Luke Falk last year if DiNucci is starting.