If the Cowboys are relatively healthy, they’re the pick in Week 7

The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles square off in a huge Week 7 showdown on Sunday Night Football. The teams are tied atop the NFC East at 3-3, and both are scuffling at the moment. The Eagles were pummeled by the Vikings last week, while the Cowboys have lost three straight, including a stunner to the New York Jets.

The Cowboys are currently a 2.5-point favorite at home against the Eagles, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The big news this week has been the Cowboys injury report. The Cowboys best shot at winning this game is likely to come through the air against the Eagles shaky pass defense, and the injury report could swing that unit considerably.

The Cowboys wrapped up their final practice of Week 7, and they are expecting to have wide receivers Amari Cooper and Randall Cobb, and offensive tackles La’el Collins and Tyron Smith available for SNF. They were without Collins, Smith and Cobb last week, and they lost Cooper to a thigh bruise early in the game. The passing game could not consistently get on track after that.

The return of the two tackles is huge, but recent history suggests Cooper playing could be just as big. Our good friends at the Bet The Board podcast broke down the game, and talked specifically about Dak Prescott before and after Amari Cooper last year. In the seven games prior to the Dak Prescott trade, the Cowboys were 29th in passing success rate, with 38 percent of Prescott’s passes graded successful — nine percent worse than league average. In the 11 games (including two playoff games) after Cooper got on the field in Dallas, the team’s passing success rate improved to 8th in the NFL — three percent better than league average.

There is always plenty to consider in the context of all this, but Prescott needs Cooper out there. This week he faces a shaky Eagles pass defense, and having Cooper and Cobb — along with the two tackles — will be key.

Betting this game comes down to the injured players. If they sit, I have zero interest in wagering on either team in this game. If they play, I’m down for grabbing the Cowboys. They’re -2.5 right now, so if you think those two will play, hop on this before it climbs up to three.