McKee to Start as Eagles Face 14.5-Point Offense in Monday Showdown

Philadelphia Eagles fans will see Tanner McKee under center for the first time since the injury to Jalen Hurts when the team hosts the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET. The matchup pits two struggling franchises against each other in a key NFC East contest. Both teams have lost two straight games, leaving them tied for the division lead with identical 2-4 records.

The betting lines reflect the parity between the squads. Sportsbooks list Dallas as a 4.5-point favorite, with the total points set at 43.5. This total sits low due to the recent scoring droughts on both sides. The Cowboys have averaged just 14.5 points per game over the past two weeks. The Eagles have managed the same 14.5-point average over their last four contests.

Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has thrown for 574 yards and two touchdowns in those two games. He completed 58 of his 96 attempts for a 60 percent completion rate. Four interceptions marred that stretch, including one nullified by a penalty against Green Bay. The Cowboys lost 23-13 to the Packers in Week 6, a result that kept the under 43.5 intact. The under has hit in four of the last five meetings between these two teams.

Philadelphia enters the game without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is out with blood clots for potentially the rest of the season. McKee took over in a 25-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers last week. He completed 26 of 45 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown in that debut start. His completion rate was 57.8 percent. The Eagles also will not have wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Running back Saquon Barkley is listed as questionable due to his own hamstring issue, but he is expected to play. The Eagles are 1-0 in division games this season, while Dallas is 1-1. Both teams stand at 1-3 against NFC opponents. The last two Dallas games produced totals under the line, and the last three Philadelphia games followed the same pattern.

SportsLine analyst Emory Hunt, who is 31-18-2 on his last 51 picks involving the Eagles, leans toward the under 43.5 total. His record over the past three seasons in the NFL is 132-111-2. Hunt notes that the low scoring averages suggest a defensive struggle rather than an offensive showcase. The Cowboys have been stymied offensively in their recent losses. The Eagles have struggled to generate consistent points since Hurts went out.

The game serves as a critical test for both teams' defenses. Dallas has allowed opponents to score at a similar rate to their own offensive output recently. Philadelphia must limit the damage while its new quarterback learns the system. The low total odds indicate that neither offense is currently in a high gear. The result will likely hinge on special teams play and defensive execution rather than passing volume.