The Bookie of Eli

The official kick off of the NFL season is finally here when the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host their NFC east rivals the Dallas Cowboys. There has been plenty of offseason drama in Dallas recently with the trade of their best defensive player Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones took a big gamble and if the defense struggles against the Eagles there will be more criticism. Last year Dallas’ defense gave up the 4th most rushing yards in the NFL and they acquired DT Kenny Clark in the Parsons trade to remedy that. The Eagles averaged the second most rushing yards in the NFL last season led by All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley who will see plenty of action against the Cowboys. The primary cause for concern for Philadelphia is a young secondary with CJ Gardner-Johnson leaving for the Texans in free agency. The addition of wide receiver George Pickens lining up next to Ceedee Lamb will be a tough test for the Eagle’s secondary. The return of quarterback Dak Prescott under center after he had to sit out half of last season with a hamstring injury will make a world of difference as well for new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys didn’t have much of a run game last season averaging a pedestrian 106 yards per game a season ago that ranked them 28th in the NFL. The line has increased since the Parsons trade with the Eagles as 8.5 point favorites and the over/under at 47.5 points. The sharp play is the 1st Half over 23.5 points (-110) with both teams capitalizing off an opening script that they had all offseason to prepare for. Dak Prescott will be able to move the ball downfield against a young secondary for the Eagles and Philadelphia will pick up where they left off last year with a dominant rushing attack. The 1st Quarter spread of -2.5 Philadelphia at (-110) is also a solid look especially if the home team starts with the ball. Finally, for player props Eagles running back Will Shipley to get at least 20 rushing yards at (-110) is a great look. Shipley is entering his second season as a pro and will serve as the primary backup for Barkley. If the Eagles pull away late they will inevitably rest their star back and with last year’s back up Kenneth Gainwell in Pittsburgh Shipley should see some touches late.

Best Bets: 1H over 23.5 (-110), 1Q PHI -2.5 (-110), Will Shipley over 19.5 rushing yards (-110)