The nearly seven-month break without professional football is finally over, as the NFL returns to our televisions tonight. The Philadelphia Eagles will reveal their Super Bowl banner as they face off with their NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys, and turn a page to the 2025 season. Expectations remain high for Philadelphia with plenty of the same core returning, while Dallas is looking to rebound from a 7-10 season in which Dak Prescott went down with an injury. They put an end to the Micah Parsons saga by trading him to the Green Bay Packers and will look to provide a challenge to the defending champion in the Thursday night opener.
Looking at the odds, the Eagles are favored by 8.5 points and hold -410 odds on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Cowboys hold +320 odds of getting the outright victory with the game total set at 47.5.
There are plenty of ways to get involved in the action beyond just backing a side. This article will look at my three favorite prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for the NFL season opener as the pair of NFC East rivals face off.
Cowboys vs. Eagles Best Prop Bets
Saquon Barkley Over 90.5 Rushing Yards (-111)
The Philadelphia Eagles signed Saquon Barkley in free agency last year and reaped the benefits in a major way. The former Giants star broke the NFL rushing record for regular season and playoff yards combined, and was a vital part of the Super Bowl victory. Barkley ran for 2,005 rushing yards in the regular season and tallied over 90.5 rushing yards in 12 of the 16 games. He combined for 233 rushing yards in the two matchups against the Cowboys. The Eagles also pulled out victories with a combined scoring margin of 75-13 in their pair of matchups with Dallas, so Barkley did not need to be called on at his usual rate.
While it is completely reasonable not to believe Barkley can fully replicate this type of output again, this is not a matchup where it will be evident. Dallas ranked dead last in rushing touchdowns allowed last season and 29th in rushing yards conceded. They are just days removed from trading their best player on the defensive line, and it could take Barkley just one carry to break this total. Count on the Eagles giving their star running back a solid workload and for him to cruise past 91 rushing yards to start the season. The alternate lines, such as Barkley to rush for 100+ yards at +131, 110+ yards at +195 and 120+ yards at +281 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, could also be worth a swing. Barkley reached these totals in at least eight of the 16 games he played last season, with him recording 100+ yards 11 times.
George Pickens Over 56.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
One of the more notable offseason additions by the Dallas Cowboys was bringing in George Pickens. The former Steelers standout has tallied 800+ receiving yards in all three of his seasons in the league, with 2,841 yards in total and 12 touchdowns to his name. Don’t expect Pickens to challenge CeeDee Lamb for the top wide receiver option on the Dallas roster, but he will benefit in a major way from the attention Lamb commands.
If there is one weakness on this Eagles roster, it is some concern in the secondary. C.J. Gardner-Johnson was traded away in the offseason, and Kelee Ringo and Adoree Jackson have continued to compete for the CB2 spot throughout training camp, with neither grabbing control of the role. With Quinyon Mitchell likely to be tasked with matching up with Lamb, expect Pickens to see the friendlier defensive matchup. The Eagles are notable favorites in this game for a reason, and the Cowboys could very easily find themselves in an early hole. Expect Pickens to see plenty of action as Dallas airs out the ball. He should record over 56.5 receiving yards, just as he did in eight of his 14 games last year, with inferior quarterback play in Pittsburgh.
Dak Prescott Over 249.5 Passing Yards (-112)
Last year was a disaster for the Cowboys and Dak Prescott alike. The franchise QB did not perform well when he was on the field and was shut down for the season due to injury after just eight games. This is a big year for Prescott as he will look to cement his standing as one of the better quarterbacks in the league and the face of the Cowboys. The Mississippi State product is just one season removed from leading the NFL with 410 completions and 36 passing touchdowns, and has thrown for as many as 4,902 passing yards in a season.
If Dallas is to have any chance in this game, they are going to need to move the ball and put up points. The Cowboys have leaned on a pass-oriented offense in recent years, and this will be further magnified with an underwhelming running back room. None of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders or Jaydon Blue particularly inspires fear in opponents. Even if there was a threatening bell cow running back, the Eagles’ defensive line is a strength of the team. Attacking through the air is a more likely pathway to points, and Prescott will need to capitalize on these chances for Dallas to have a chance.
Even in a down season last year, Prescott averaged 247.3 passing yards per game and threw for 350+ yards twice. It is a clean slate for Prescott and the Cowboys, and there will be plenty of eyes on him in the opener. Expect the game script to play in his favor and for Prescott to see plenty of chances to make plays. It may not be the cleanest pathway to getting there, but expect plenty of late-game passing attempts from Prescott and for him to eclipse 249.5 yards in the process.
