Cowboys vs. Eagles Week 18 Picks: Playoff Squads Still Have Much to Play For

Both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have already clinched playoff berths. However, both teams have a chance to improve their respective seeding in Week 18. Is it time to panic in Dallas after last week’s loss? Are the Eagles for real? Read on for our Cowboys-Eagles betting picks.

The Cowboys had a four-game winning streak snapped last week. A narrow three-point home loss to the Arizona Cardinals also ended any chance the Cowboys had of tracking down the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. They could now wind up as high as the No. 2 seed or as low as the No. 4 seed depending on the results of their own Week 18 game and others to be played on Sunday. The Cowboys (12-4 against the spread, 7-9 to the Over) are a perfect 5-0 against NFC East division opponents entering Saturday's finale.

After clinching an unlikely playoff berth last week, the Eagles will now look to exact some revenge on the rival Cowboys after losing the first meeting between the teams this season. The Eagles (8-7-1 ATS, 9-7 to the Over) are riding a four-game winning streak of their own. They have won six of seven overall dating back to mid-November. Philadelphia does have a chance to improve its playoff seeding with a win and favorable results elsewhere on Sunday.

Here are my picks and predictions for the NFL Week 18 matchup between the Cowboys and the Eagles (odds via BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).

Cowboys vs. Eagles Game Info

Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 8, 8:15 p.m. ETTV: ESPN, ABCLocation: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PAWeather: Clear, 28 degrees, 3 mph winds blowing south

Cowboys vs. Eagles Odds Analysis

The point spread for this NFC East showdown has experienced limited movement thus far. After opening at Cowboys -4 after Week 17 action, the line has nudged up to now favor Dallas at -4.5. It's worth noting that lookahead lines listed an even 3-point spread. With the Eagles clinching a playoff spot last week, the urgency to win has been somewhat reduced.

The total for this Cowboys-Eagles matchup has come down one point from the opening number of 44.5. While the consensus line is 43.5, there are some sportsbooks listing an even 43.

Cowboys vs. Eagles Picks

Cowboys -4.5 (-110) ??Over 43.5 (-110) ???

SEE ALSO: Bengals vs. Browns Week 18 Picks

Cowboys vs. Eagles Predictions

Cowboys -4.5 (-110)

The Cowboys do need help elsewhere to move up in terms of playoff seeding. However, the fact that they are playing on Saturday means that they have every reason to go out and try to win. Dallas could still finish as high as No. 2 in the NFC playoff picture. With this in mind, bettors can comfortably expect all healthy starters to be ready and available.

While the Cowboys' offense has been the subject of scrutiny this week, such "hot takes" are extremely short-sighted. It was just two weeks ago that Dak Prescott threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns as Dallas hung 56 on Washington. Struggling against a desperate Cardinals' team last week was actually expected by some NFL betting analysts given the urgency Arizona had to snap a three-game skid.

It is worth noting the various injury concerns the Cowboys have entering Week 18. The backfield duo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard is banged up, but both should be active for Saturday's game. While star corner Trevon Diggs may not be available, the Eagles' passing attack doesn't exactly pose a huge threat.

Depending on results in Sunday games, Philadelphia could actually wind up rising to the No. 6 seed even with a loss on Saturday. While the Eagles come in on a roll, the level of competition that they have been facing of late has been very poor. Head coach Nick Sirianni has retooled the offense drastically compared to how it was operating when these two teams first played in September, but Eagles QB Jalen Hurts will still be hard-pressed to trade shots with Prescott.

Defensively, the Eagles' secondary simply does not have enough quality cover corners to stop all of the Cowboys' pass-catchers. So long as Dallas plays to win, they should have little trouble covering as road favorites.

Over 43.5 (-110)

Once again, a play on the total to go Over 43.5 points comes with the assumption that the Cowboys will play to win in order to have a chance of a better seed in the playoffs. The Eagles had no answers for Prescott and the Cowboys' offensive attack back in Week 3. That game saw a combined total of 62 points even as Philly put forth an incompetent, one-dimensional offensive game plan.

In terms of adjusted defensive efficiency, the Eagles rank 16th overall and are only 21st against the pass. Philadelphia has also been one of the worst defenses when it comes to defending the tight end position all season. Dalton Schultz led all Dallas pass-catchers in yardage back in Week 3 and figures to be in line for another solid game on Saturday. Elliott and Pollard found success in the first head-to-head meeting as well, combining for more than 150 yards rushing.

While the Cowboys' have the top adjusted defense on the season, they have been vulnerable when it comes to stopping the run. The Eagles made no attempt to run the ball against Dan Quinn's unit back in Week 3. Philly had only 12 rushing attempts for the game, and nine of those came courtesy of Hurts. My, how things have changed since. Sure, Miles Sanders has been ruled out, but the Eagles will still feed Boston Scott and Jordan Howard plenty of carries on Saturday.

In summary, both teams match up well with the other in terms of offensive strengths. Weather will not be a factor for what is expected to be a cold but clear night in South Philadelphia. So long as both sides play to win, the Over should hit with relative ease to cash this Cowboys-Eagles pick.

SEE ALSO: All picks and odds. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Cowboys-Eagles picks made 1/7/2022 at 10:17 a.m. ET