Cowboys vs Eagles Props: Wentz, Elliott Set to Shine in NFC East Showdown
- Injuries expected to play a role when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon
- A shoulder injury has limited Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, shifting the offensive burden to RB Ezekiel Elliott
- Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below
The battle for the NFC East title heats up Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Philadelphia Eagles as 2-point road favorites. Injuries are likely to play crucial role in this contest. The Eagles receiving corps has been decimated by injury, while a shoulder injury has limited Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s effectiveness. Despite having limited downfield options, Wentz has been heroic in his efforts to keep the Eagles in contention, while Ezekiel Elliott has shouldered a greater load as Prescott works through his injury.
Here’s a look at how those circumstances have impacted the NFL props heading into Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Lincoln Financial Field.
Prop #1 – Carson Wentz Completions
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| At Least 27 | +125 |
*All odds taken on Dec. 21/19
For a second week in a row, Wentz guided the Eagles to a comeback victory in last Sunday’s 37-27 win over the Washington Redskins. Wentz has completed at least 30 passes in three of his past four appearances, and connected on a season-high 33 pass attempts two week’s ago in the squad’s 23-17 overtime victory over the New York Giants.
Are we sure Miles Sanders is only a rookie? @boobiemilesxxiv
🦅 122 rushing yards
🦅 50 receiving yards
🦅 Two touchdowns @Eagles | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/kluOfdGj1r— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2019
Wentz’ performances have been particularly impressive considering the rash of injuries that has decimated the Philadelphia receiving corps. The 26-year-old has been without Desean Jackson, Alshon Jeffrey, Nelson Agholor. However, rookies Greg Ward Jr. and Miles Sanders, along with tight end Zach Ertz and rusher Boston Scott have stepped up to the fill the void.
Sunday’s contest marks the biggest game in Wentz’ NFL career, a reality that is not lost on the young receivers who have teamed up with the Eagles passer on the recent second-half comebacks that has kept the team in playoff contention. Expect more of the same on Sunday, as Wentz once again approaches 50 pass attempts and 30 completions.
Pick: At Least 27 Completions (+125)
Prop #2 – Dak Prescott Passing Yards
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 284.5 | +100 |
| Under 284.5 | -129 |
Dak Prescott enters Week 16 ranked second in the NFL with 4334 passing yards, and has topped 350 yards on four occasions in 2019. However, the Cowboys pivot has been hobbled by a right shoulder injury, which was evident in last weekend’s 44-21 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Jason Garrett said Dak sustained the injury to his shoulder in the first half.
This was the biggest impact I could remember to his shoulder in the game: pic.twitter.com/feLYgtLGNi
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) December 18, 2019
After making at least 46 pass attempts in four of his previous five outings, Prescott attempted less than half that number last weekend, going 15-for-23 for a season-low 212 yards
After making at least 46 pass attempts in four of his previous five outings, Prescott attempted half that number last weekend, going 15-for-23 for a season-low 212 yards. Prescott was also a limited participant in practice this week, and while his name has been removed from the injury report, it is a stretch to assume he is back to 100% despite all the positive words coming out of the Dallas camp.
Dak Prescott Past 10 Starts
| Week | Opponent | Completions | Passing Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Vs LAR | 15 | 212 |
| 14 | @CHI/td> | 27 | 334 |
| 13 | vs BUF | 32 | 355 |
| 12 | @NE | 19 | 212 |
| 11 | @DET | 29 | 444 |
| 10 | vs MIN | 28 | 397 |
| 9 | @NYG | 22 | 257 |
| 7 | vs PHI | 21 | 239 |
| 6 | @NYJ | 28 | 278 |
| 5 | vs GB | 27 | 463 |
In addition, Prescott has not put up big passing yardage in past dates with Philadelphia. With the exception of a prolific 455-yard, three-TD performance in a 29-23 win in Dallas last season, Prescott has not topped 270 passing yards in his past six meetings with the Eagles, a trend that is likely to continue on Sunday.
Pick: Under 284.5 (-129)
Prop #3 – Ezekiel Elliott Rushing Yards
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| At least 98 | +146 |
With Prescott hobbled, the burden of carrying the Cowboys’ offense has clearly shifted to Ezekiel Elliott. The star running back carried the ball 24 times for 117 yards and two TDs last weekend, marking the sixth time this season he has topped 100 yards.
Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard had over 300 yards of offense and 3 touchdowns against the Rams.
That's pretty good, right? pic.twitter.com/xcE0v2X1eN— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) December 16, 2019
Last week’s performance also marks a dramatic change in Elliott’s workload after averaging just 17 carries per game over his four previous outings. And while their rush defense ranks third in the NFL while allowing just 90.4 yards per game so far this season, the Eagles rank 22nd over the past eight games while allowing 4.5 yards per carry.
Add to that the steady track record of success that Elliott enjoys against Philadelphia. With Elliott piling up over 100 rushing yards in each of his past four games against the Eagles, including a 151-yard, one-touchdown performance in his last appearance at the Linc in November 2018, there is exceptional value in wagering on him to approach the century mark yet again on Sunday afternoon.
Pick: At Least 98 Rushing Yards (+146)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
