Make these two bets on Dallas

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For yet another season, the Eagles are projected to walk through the NFC East and into the playoffs, in which they’ll look to avenge a Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.

I expect a different team, however, to sit atop the division by the season’s end: the Cowboys.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys head to MetLife for a division bout with the Giants on “Sunday Night Football.”

Prescott has drawn a lot of criticism over the past few years, struggling in season-ending playoff losses at the hands of the 49ers in 2021 and 2022.

But I, for one, am not worried about Prescott.

I understand the frustrations overt his NFL-leading 15 interceptions last year.

This is the perfect buy-low spot on the QB.

This is the same Prescott who threw for 4,500 yards and 37 touchdowns two years ago.

Sunday, he has a clean slate for the season and I expect his rebound to start against Big Blue.

I’ve learned over my years as a bettor, both working in the industry and from personal experience, that you often want to be opposite the general public.

Not only are the Giants getting the higher percentage of bets, but they are taking on a quarterback who is not looked upon fondly.

Just the other day, I commented that Prescott is a top-10 quarterback and was met with immediate scoffs.

I asked: Name 10 better QBs.


Brandin Cooks
Brandin Cooks
USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

That plays right into how I’m betting this prime-time matchup, both with a Prescott prop and siding with the Cowboys catching a field goal.

For starters, the Dallas offense finally has three talented and healthy receivers to line up on the outside.

On top of that, Tony Pollard is an upgrade as the workhorse back and yet another weapon for Prescott in the passing game.

Brandin Cooks provides receiver stability and depth, which Dallas lacked in 2022 without Amari Cooper.

Cooks has accumulated 1,000-plus receiving yards in six of his past eight seasons.

And CeeDee Lamb has established himself as an elite No. 1 receiver.

Add in a fully healthy Michael Gallup, and you get a triple threat few defenses can handle.

Betting on the NFL?

They will line up opposite a secondary that is extremely inexperienced.

The Giants are slated to start two rookie cornerbacks.

If playing in your first NFL game isn’t intimidating enough, imagine doing it with the whole world watching. It’s natural to think that nerves might kick in, and Dallas’ seasoned squad could take advantage early and often.

This may not sit well with the majority, but I am not high on the Giants.

Action Network’s luck rankings analysis showed the Giants won four more games than expected last year.

A win over Minnesota in the playoffs was impressive, but the Giants went 2-5-1 in their final eight games of the regular season and were obliterated by the Eagles in the divisional round.

To top it off, their key acquisition this offseason was tight end Darren Waller.


Darren Waller
Darren Waller
USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

He was expected to play a prominent role in the offense and provide stability for Jones.

Health history has long been an issue for him, and he will enter the game Sunday questionable with a new hamstring issue.

The Giants face tough odds against the Cowboys.

They lost interior lineman Jon Feliciano in the offseason, and their already weak offensive line — 24th in pass blocking — should struggle against a dominant Cowboys pass rush that features the likes of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Dallas received a pass rush grade of 84.5 last season, per Pro football Focus, second in the NFL.

Trust Prescott to guide the Cowboys with a steady hand.

I would take his Over 1.5 touchdowns prop and back Dallas (-3.5), which is still available at a few sportsbooks.

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