The division did not have a team with a losing pointspread record last season, attesting to the overall strength of the NFC East. The division draws the weak NFC West this year so more wagering success is likely. (2007 regular season records in parentheses):
DALLAS COWBOYS (13-3 SU, 9-7 ATS, 10-6 O/U): The Cowboys return 13 players who went to the Pro Bowl last year from the team that beat the Giants twice during the regular season only to lose to the eventual NFL champions in the playoffs. Every team in the division is tough but Dallas has the edge. Bets and Pieces: Dallas is just 5-10 at a home favorite on Monday Night Football. On Sept. 15, the Cowboys face the Eagles, who are 9-5 as road underdogs in this MNF spot.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2007)
SU: 80-80
ATS: 78-76-6
HF: 30-22-6
HD: 14-8
AF: 10-16
AD: 24-30
Sportsbook Buster: Over the last decade, the Cowboys are 6-18 ATS versus non-conference foes on the road.
Sports Betting Angle: Dallas has covered seven of its last eight meetings with Arizona, a team it faces Oct. 12.
NEW YORK GIANTS (10-6 SU, 10-6 ATS, 8-8 O/U): The loss of several key veterans from last season’s Super Bowl Championship team, including DE Michael Strahan, means that New York is anything but a sure thing for another playoff spot. QB Eli Manning has quieted the critics…for now but NY has a tough act to follow. Bets and Pieces: New York is 8-2 ATS in 10 post-season games over the last decade, including 5-0 versus division opponents.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2007)
SU: 83-77
ATS: 79-79-2
HF: 25-33-1
HD: 10-11
AF: 19-10
AD: 25-25-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Giants are a solid 19-10 the last 10 seasons as a road favorite.
Sports Betting Angle: New York is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine meetings with division rival Dallas.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-8 SU, 8-8 ATS, 6-10 O/U): Philadelphia faced the most difficult schedule in the NFL last season and the results were predictable. This year, with a softer slate (No. 16) and the addition of CB Asante Samuel, the Eagles could be back in the hunt for an NFC East title. Bets and Pieces: The Eagles have covered seven straight division games in which they’re avenging a previous defeat.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2007)
SU: 91-69
ATS: 88-67-5
HF: 25-28-1
HD: 13-10-3
AF: 20-13
AD: 30-16-1
Sportsbook Buster: Including last season’s 4-0 mark, the Eagles are 30-16-1 as a road underdog the past decade.
Sports Betting Angle: Philadelphia is 13-1 ATS the week after playing the NY Giants. This year’s post New York foes are Cincinnati (Nov. 16) and the Cleveland (Dec. 15).
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (9-7 SU, 7-7-2 ATS, 7-9 O/U): Jim Zorn takes over the coaching reigns from the retired Joe Gibbs so QB Jason Campbell will have to learn his third new playbook in four seasons. That, along with Washington’s zip code in the NFC’s toughest neighborhood, probably means a losing season. Bets and Pieces: Washington has covered five of its last six encounters with Dallas, which it meets Sept. 28 and Nov. 16.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2007)
SU: 74-86
ATS: 73-80-7
HF: 22-27-4
HD: 12-15
AF: 8-15-1
AD: 31-23-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Redskins are just 8-15-1 as road favorites the past 10 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Washington has covered six of its last eight games with St. Louis, which it meets Oct. 12, this year.
Legend:
SU = Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF = Home Favorite
HD = Home Underdog
AF = Away Favorite
AD = Away Underdog
O/U = Over/Under
This is the fifth of an eight-part NFL preview series.
Next: Analyzing the NFC North
