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Eagles Now -130 Favorites to Win NFC East After Cowboys Lose to Bears; Garrett Still on the Job

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Apr 21, 2020 · 8:24 AM PDT

Jason Garrett on sideline
Jason Garrett is still head coach of the Dallas Cowboys despite Thursday's 31-24 loss to the Chicago Bears. But the Cowboys are no longer favored to win the NFC East. Photo By Keith Allison (Wiki Commons) [CC License].
  • No NFC East team currently has a winning record
  • Books have established the 5-7 Philadelphia Eagles as the -130 favorites to win the division
  • The 6-7 Dallas Cowboys, who’ve lost three in a row, are at +120

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t said goodbye to head coach Jason Garrett but they might have bid adieu to their NFC title hopes.

Does any team want to win the NFC East? Does any NFC East team truly deserve a postseason berth?

Dumped 31-24 by the Chicago Bears on Thursday, the Cowboys lost their third in a row and fourth in five games. They also surrendered their status as favorites to win the division.

The 5-7 Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off a loss to the woeful Miami Dolphins, are now listed as the -130 odds-on chalk to be NFC East champions.

The Cowboys, also 6-7, are at +110 in the NFC East odds.

2019 NFC East Odds

Team Odds
Philadelphia Eagles -130
Dallas Cowboys +110
Washington Redskins +10000
New York Giants N/A

Odds taken on December 6

The worst record ever posted by a NFL division winner was the 7-9 mark of the 2010 NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks.

Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?

Another embarrassing setback for the Cowboys. Another endorsement for embattled coach Garett from Dallas owner Jerry Jones.

Things remain business as unusual in the Big D.

When the Cowboys opened 3-0, supporters of the club insisted that America’s team was great again. Detractors pointed out that the wins were against the Giants, Redskins and Dolphins and it was all merely a mirage.

Turns out the latter group was in the right. Outside the division this season, the only Dallas wins are against the Dolphins and the 3-8-1 Detroit Lions. The Cowboys still haven’t won against a team with a winning record (0-6).

Weird NFC East Scenario #1

It could be an historic, record-setting season for the Cowboys.

Wait, what?

Here’s how history could play out. Suppose the Cowboys lose out – not an unrealistic possibility at this point. At the same time, let’s say that the Eagles finish 1-3, with their only win coming at the expense of the Cowboys in Week 16.

In this scenario, the 3-9 Redskins would have to finish no better than 5-11. But if all these ducks line up, you know what happens?

Dallas wins the NFC East over the Eagles in a tiebreaker. At 6-10, the Cowboys would be the worst division winner in NFL history.

Weird NFC East Scenario #2

The Redskins are the hottest team in the NFC East. They’ve won two in a row.

Consider for a moment that they just keep on rolling. The Redskins win out and finish 7-9. At the same time, Dallas loses its remaining three games, while the Eagles go 1-3, again posting their lone win over the Cowboys.

In this plot, Washington, a team that opened the season 1-9, is NFC East champion.

At +10000, and taking into consideration how wild and wacky this division is, the Redskins might just be worth a wager.

The Eagles Will Land It

As much fun as it is to play with probabilities, in all probability the team that will ultimately win the NFC East is the Eagles.

You mean that team that just got beat by the 3-9 Dolphins?

Yes, that team, and here’s why:

Philly gets Dallas at home in Week 16. They also get a pair with the Giants and one against the Redskins, all winnable games.

At times this season, the Eagles displayed the ability to play decent football against sound teams. They won on the road at Green Bay and Buffalo, two teams that would be in the playoffs if the postseason started today.

They’re the best of a very bad lot.

Pick: Philadelphia Eagles (-130).

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