Eagles vs Cowboys: Odds and predictions for NFL Christmas Eve football

The Dallas Cowboys host the NFC East leading Philadelphia Eagles in a Christmas Eve showdown on Saturday at AT&T Stadium with a 3:25 p.m. local time kickoff (4:25 p.m. ET). In their first meeting of the season, the Cowboys lost to the Eagles with backup Cooper Rush in at quarterback while Dak Prescott sat out with an injury. This time, it’s the Eagles who will be without their starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. Instead, they’ll start Gardner Minshew against the Cowboys.

The 13-1 Eagles were the first team to clinch a playoff spot in Week 14 but they have yet to clinch the division. They need just one win in their next three games to clinch the title and get home-field advantage in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Cowboys, at 10-4, clinched their playoff game last week despite losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Dallas would need to win the rest of their games and hope for the Eagles to lose all theirs if they want to be NFC East champions. It’s more likely the Cowboys finish as the fifth seed in the NFC and the Eagles get the NFC East crown. But will they clinch it against the Cowboys on Saturday?

Cowboys vs Eagles preview

The Cowboys have a chance at revenge against the Eagles with Minshew in at quarterback. The Dallas defense leads the league in pressures and takeaways with 26 and is second in sacks with 49. On the other hand, Prescott has been on a bad streak of interceptions lately, with a 3.9% interception rate through Week 15 - the highest in the NFL. One of those pick sixes resulted in the Jaguars winning in overtime last week.

The Eagles defense are no amateurs either. They lead the NFL in team sacks at 55 and are just behind the Cowboys in takeaways at 25. In their win against the Chicago Bears, Javon Hargrave, John Sweat, and Haason Reddick all recorded two sacks each.

Minshew shouldn’t be underestimated. In his last start in 2021, he went 20-of-25 for 242 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in a crucial victory against the Jets. He’s also going to be looking to establish himself as a starter and working alongside a much more solid offense than last season.

But the Cowboys need this win more. After last week’s loss to the Jaguars, they are going to be desperately seeking a win and their defense could easily take advantage of the quarterback situation. Minshew is good, but he’s been on the bench for the last 15 weeks and he’s facing the Cowboys on the road.

Fanduel Sportsbook has the Cowboys as 4.5-point favorites against the Eagles.

Eagles at Cowboys odds, moneyline and over/under

Spread: Cowboys (-6)

Moneyline: Cowboys (-250); Eagles (+220)

Over/under: 46.5