Editor's note: Brian Edwards is 2-0 so far today, cashing a pair of winners during the one o'clock games with the Falcons and Texans. Don't miss out on his pay-if-it-wins-only selection for tonight!

First place in the NFC East will be at stake tonight when Philadelphia (5-2 straight up, 5-2 against the spread) welcomes the Cowboys into the City of Brotherly Love. Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Eagles as four-point favorites with a total of 48 ½.

As of early this afternoon, most betting shops had Andy Reid’s team listed as a three-point ‘chalk’ at an even-money price. Some books were even offering bettors a plus-105 return to back Philadelphia (risk $100 to win $105). Obviously, oddsmakers are reluctant to come off the key number of three, placing odds on that number instead.

Dallas (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) is plus-120 on the money line (risk $100 to win $120).

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After a 2-2 start, the Cowboys have won three in a row, including last week’s 38-17 clubbing of Seattle as 10-point home favorites. Tony Romo completed 21-of-36 passes for 256 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

And that’s been the key for the ‘Boys – the steadily improving play of Romo, who owns a 12/4 touchdown-interception ratio for the season. Also, he has a new favorite target in Miles Austin. The fourth-year pro out of Monmouth College has been sensational in his first three career starts, hauling in 21 receptions for 482 yards and five touchdowns.

Philadelphia has won back-to-back games both SU and ATS after an embarrassing 13-9 loss at Oakland three weeks ago. First, the Eagles went into Washington for Monday Night Football and collected a 27-17 victory as 8 ½-point road favorites. Next, they spanked the Giants 40-17 as short home underdogs.

Donovan McNabb lit up the G-Men, connecting on 17-of-23 throws for 240 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. With Brian Westbrook sitting out after sustaining a concussion the previous week against the Redskins, rookie RB LeSean McCoy filled in by rushing for 82 yards and one TD on just 11 carries.

The Eagles’ defense was dominant, forcing Eli Manning into a pair of interceptions. This unit was key as Philadelphia jumped out to a 30-7 lead at intermission and cruised to the easy ‘W.’

DeSean Jackson, the second-year WR from California, continued to make explosive plays. He had three catches for 78 yards and one TD. Jackson has played like a Pro-Bowler all year, making 24 catches for 501 yards and four TDs. He also has seven carries for 115 yards and one TD.

The ‘over’ has been a lucrative wager in Philadelphia games, cashing at a 6-1 overall clip. The ‘over’ is a perfect 4-0 when the Eagles are at home. The Cowboys have watched the ‘over’ go 5-2 overall, 2-1 in their road games.

With McNabb healthy, the Eagles are 2-0 both SU and ATS at home. They went 1-1 both SU and ATS when Kevin Kolb made a pair of starts while McNabb nursed a cracked rib in September. Dating back to last season, Philadelphia owns an 8-2 spread record in its last 10 games as a home favorite.

This is the first road underdog spot for Dallas this year. However, we should note a 0-3 spread record when the ‘Boys were road ‘dogs in 2008. They are 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS in three road assignments this year that each came in the ‘chalk’ role.

Dallas comes into this contest with a clean bill of health other than the absence of return specialist Allen Rossum, who is “out.” For Philly, Westbrook has been listed as “questionable” all week but this space isn’t expecting Westbrook to play tonight. Also, veteran WR Kevin Curtis remains “out.”

NBC will have the telecast at 8:20 p.m. Eastern.

Brian Edwards can be reached at briane@vegasinsider.com.

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