Steve Maltepes, better known as “The Philly Godfather,” just dropped a bombshell that has to be rattling the entire Eagles fanbase: he’s putting his money on the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East in 2026, despite his heart still being with his hometown birds. This guy is a national betting expert, a native of Philadelphia, and he’s talking cold, hard cash against the team everyone expects to contend for a three-peat division championship. It’s a gut punch, plain and simple.
The Godfather’s Shocking Numbers For The Birds
Maltepes isn’t just stopping at the division. He’s also laying his money on the Cowboys to crush the over/under of 10 wins, while he’s taking the UNDER for the Eagles’ total of 10.5 wins for the season. Let that sink in. He’s even got Jalen Hurts projected under 3,250.5 yards passing. Yeah, it’s a lot to process for a team that had Super Bowl dynasty talk just last year. Though he does have the Eagles making the playoffs at -175 odds, his division and win total picks are a direct shot across the bow for any fan dreaming of another NFC East crown.
An Easy Start Leads To A Gauntlet
Now, it’s not all doom and gloom right out of the gate. Maltepes points out the “great news”: the Eagles’ core is still among the NFL’s best, and their offensive and defensive lines are projected top five in the league. That’s huge! And the schedule? The first three weeks look like a cakewalk, opening against Washington, then Tennessee, and a Chicago Bears team many expect to regress. Maltepes thinks they “should be 3-0,” especially since Washington and Tennessee are projected sub-.500 teams, ranking near the bottom of the NFL in overall defense. A 3-0 start is massive; historically, 75 percent of teams that begin 3-0 make the playoffs.
But here’s the kicker: that honeymoon period ends fast. After those first three, the schedule turns brutal. We’re talking about facing the Los Angeles Rams, who are the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl. Then comes the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that bagged 13 wins last season. And topping it off, those very Dallas Cowboys, expected to hit 10 wins themselves and flaunt one of the league’s best offenses. Maltepes notes they’re lucky to be on the road only twice in their first seven games,at Tennessee in Week 2 and Chicago in Week 3,and he pegs them for a 5-2 record through that stretch.
What’s At Stake When The Season Kicks Off
So, the Eagles are walking a tightrope. They absolutely *must* capitalize on those early matchups to build momentum and hit that 3-0 mark. Because after that, every game is going to be a heavyweight fight. The goal is “first and foremost” to win the NFC East, and Maltepes’s stark prediction puts a massive bullseye on that ambition from Week 1. They need to prove their local Godfather wrong, or it’s going to be a long season for Philly fans.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
Leave a Reply