Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles 2017: Prediction, Betting Odds For Week 11

If they haven’t done so already, the Philadelphia Eagles can virtually lock up the NFC East crown in Week 11. They’ll visit the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football” in an attempt to create even more space between themselves and the rest of the division.

Philadelphia has a three-game lead over the second-place Cowboys, and the betting odds favor the Eagles by a field goal at AT&T Stadium, per OddsShark. A victory for Carson Wentz and Co. would give them a seemingly insurmountable four-game advantage with just six weeks remaining in the regular season.

It isn’t just that the Eagles have been the best team in the NFC East, or even the NFC, for that matter. No team in the entire NFL has played better than Philadelphia in the 2017 NFL season. They sit alone atop the league’s standings with an 8-1 record.

The team’s one hiccup came in a Week 2 road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, who have beaten the New England Patriots and are in full control of the AFC West. Philadelphia has been unstoppable ever since their one loss, and they seem to be getting better each week.

Prior to their bye in Week 10, the Eagles manhandled the Denver Broncos in a 51-23 victory. It was the conclusion of a three-week homestand in which Philadelphia beat their opponents by a combined 61 points. The Eagles defeated the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers in their last two road games.

Now, the Eagles go on the road for the first time in over a month, facing a Cowboys’ team that isn’t close to being at full strength.

Dallas was without some of their most important players in Week 10, and it resulted in a 27-7 loss in Atlanta. Running back Ezekiel Elliott began serving a six-game suspension, and left tackle Tyron Smith sat with a groin injury. When linebacker Sean Lee left the contest with a hamstring injury, the Cowboys had little chance to compete with the Falcons.

Elliott isn’t even in the country as he serves the remainder of his suspension. Lee won’t play against the Eagles, and he could miss up to a month. Smith’s status is more uncertain, and it could be the key in Dallas’ hopes of pulling off the upset.

Dak Prescott was sacked eight times last week. He was brought down six times by Falcons defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn dominated Chaz Green, who replaced Smith at left tackle.

Imagine how Green might fare against Philadelphia’s defensive front, which is among the best in the league. The Eagles are tied for 10th in the NFL with 25 sacks, putting them just four sacks out of second place.

A poor offensive performance Sunday night will almost guarantee Dallas a loss at home. Philadelphia’s offense has been the most consistent in the league, scoring at least 20 points in every game. The Eagles have put up more than 25 points in all but one contest, and they are averaging 36 points over their last five games. Sunday's over/under is 48.

It’s the result of having an elite offensive line and the leading MVP candidate at quarterback. Carson Wentz has played like the frontrunner for the award, turning the Eagles into a top Super Bowl contender.

Wentz hasn’t had a bad game all season—his worst passer rating was 83.0. No other quarterback even has 20 passing touchdowns through 10 weeks, and Wentz leads the league with 23 scores. The second-year signal caller hasn’t been picked off more than once in any contest, and he’s posted a passer rating better than 110.0 in four of his last five starts.

That doesn’t sound like a quarterback that Dallas’ secondary will be able to stop. The Cowboys rank 23rd in opponents’ passer rating, and only five teams have fewer interceptions.

The Cowboys’ defense has improved since their bye in Week 6, but much of their success has come against lesser competition. The unit played well against San Francisco's C.J. Beathard and a Washington Redskins’ team that was missing three starting offensive linemen.

The league’s best quarterbacks have put up big numbers against the Cowboys, even in Dallas. Jared Goff posted a 98.7 passer rating as the Los Angeles Rams won 35-30 at AT&T Stadium in Week 4. Aaron Rodgers threw for three scores with a 122.9 rating in Green Bay’s 35-31 win in Dallas the following week.

Look for Wentz and the Eagles to put up similar numbers in Week 11.

Prediction: Philadelphia over Dallas, 33-24