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Cowboys vs. Eagles: Preview, score prediction for Week 17

By Stephen Forsha

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles picks up a fumble and runs past Jamize Olawale #49 of the Oakland Raiders to score a touchdown as time expired at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles picks up a fumble and runs past Jamize Olawale #49 of the Oakland Raiders to score a touchdown as time expired at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are playing without Carson Wentz in the regular season finale and throughout the NFC Playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys enter Week 17 as a team who failed to achieve great success for two years in a row and will miss the playoffs for the second time in the past three seasons.

This game will feature teams on completely paths with not much to play for, in terms of a win or loss meaning much to either team in the overall standings as the Eagles have wrapped up a first-round bye and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The only thing for the Cowboys to play for is the fact a win would give them a winning record for a season that featured too many suspended players, injuries to top stars and a team that didn’t seem to gain momentum for a long period of time.

Philadelphia’s biggest concern is getting out of the game as healthy as possible before their week off, but with that comes needing to get more acquainted on offense without Wentz under center.

Cowboys Keys To Victory

1. Establishing a running game: Whether it be Ezekiel Elliott or Alfred Morris on Sunday, the Cowboys must establish a semblance of a running game if they have any thoughts or wishes to win this football game. Dak Prescott plays better when the rushing game is on point, and if the running backs can do their part, the offense could get on track one final time this season.

2. Better play-calling: Sometimes the play-calling of the Cowboys makes you scratch your head and wonder what exactly is on the coaches’ play-calling sheets. Even with the Eagles most likely resting some of their players in this game at various times, the Cowboys coaching staff needs to take a hard look at what they are calling and how to have a better performance in that aspect than they did a week ago.

Eagles Keys To Victory

1. Gain a big lead quickly: The best thing that could happen for the Eagles is if the Cowboys come out flat, they take full advantage of it and build a big lead with a aggressive offensive and defensive game plan. If the Eagles win this game, it will be the first time in team history they’ve won 14 games in the regular season. They last won 13 games in a season in 2004, the year they went to Super Bowl XXXIX and lost to the New England Patriots.

2. Aggressive defense: The way the Cowboys have played as of late, if the Eagles defense can put pressure on either Prescott or Cooper Rush and force mistakes, the Eagles will win the game. It is that simple for the game in the final week of the regular season.

Odds

Point Spread: Dallas -3
Moneyline: Eagles +125
Over/Under: 39.5

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Jets land QB, Cowboys replace Dez

Prediction

Even though the Eagles have clinched all that any team can in the NFC, there is still the fact this is a rivalry game and they could become the first Eagles team to win 14 games in the regular season. It will be interesting to see how it goes, and even with the Cowboys being the favorite in the betting world, look for the Eagles to win this game.

Pick: Dallas Cowboys: 20, Philadelphia Eagles: 30

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