The Dallas Cowboys handled business as underdogs on the road against the Cleveland Browns to open the season last week. A game that the Dallas normally lose.
Now, they are back in Texas for the home opener when they welcome the New Orleans Saints to town.
Like the Cowboys, the Saints also got off to a pretty good start. Although it was against the Carolina Panthers, they won 47-10. The Browns a playoff team a year ago who Dallas beat compared to a team that is probably the worst in football.
GAME INFO:
Date: Sunday, September 15th | Time: Noon
Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
TV: FOX | Stream: NFL+ & FuboTV
Radio: 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM), 107.5 La Grande in Spanish (KMVK-FM)
ODDS:
Moneyline (ML): Cowboys -285 (bet $100 to win $35) | Saints +230 (bet $100 to win $230)
Against the spread (ATS): Cowboys -6.5 (-110) | Browns +6.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Fun Betting Stats
For all you fans out there that love to bet, here are a few numbers that could make your day a bit easier.
The Cowboys finished with a 12-1 record in games they were favored on the moneyline last season (winning 92.3% of those games).
Dallas was 8-0 in home contests last season and covered the spread six times at home.
The average point total for Dallas games last year was 0.6 more points than the total of 45.5 in this matchup.
New Orleans went 6-10-1 ATS last year. A total of six of New Orleans games last year hit the over.
Last season, the Saints were the underdog four times and won two of those games.
In their last matchup Dec. 2, 2021, the Cowboys defeated the Saints 27-17 in New Orleans.
The Cowboys covered as 6-point favorites, and the game went Under (46). Taysom Hill started for the Saints, completing 19 of 41 passes for 264 yards with 2 TDs and 4 INTs while also rushing for over 100 yards.
Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott combined for over 100 yards and a TD.
Don’t Fall Into The Trap
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the Saints can cover 6.5 points against Mike Zimmer and that defense.
The Browns only managed 10 points before they scored a garbage-time touchdown in the final minute of the football game.
This defense was flying around, making Deshaun Watson uncomfortable from the start!
Watson failed to complete a pass more than five yards downfield on seven tries and was 0-of-4 when pressured and 0-of-4 against the blitz.
The Saints have a solid squad on both sides of the ball, and yes, they did score on their first 9 times they had the ball against the Panthers, but this team is a different beast than the ones they played in the Panthers.
It would not surprise me if the Cowboys came out flat again like they do most of the time for some reason. I do think the Saints will keep it close for a bit, but Dallas just has to many playmakers at home for this game to be a nail biter.
Alvin Kamara is somebody to worry about as the defensive line did not have to worry a bunch last week against Ford running the ball.
Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown look like an amazing due. They are fast, smart and all over the field. It is so refreshing to see it.
I would like to see more out of the running game this week, it was not flasy in week one, but it was enough against the best defense from a year ago.
Do not be surprised if this game is close for a half, even tied after the first two quarters. I think the talent on the Cowboys will overcome what the Saints are playing with and Dallas will close the game out early in the second half.
The Cowboys start the year 2-0 and take care of the Saints 29-17.