The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals will play Week 1 of the preseason on Friday night. It's time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Cowboys-Cardinals prediction and pick.
The Cowboys are entering a crucial season for their franchise. The ownership likely has expectations of a NFC East division crown and the playoff berth that comes with it, but Dallas hasn't proven they're at that level yet. The Cardinals are in a similar spot, as many people expect them to contend for a playoff spot that they may not be ready for yet. Both of these teams have position battles throughout the roster, so this preseason game is the first meaningful step in settling on a final 53-man roster.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the lines for Friday's game.
NFL Odds: Cowboys-Cardinals Odds
Dallas Cowboys ML (+105)
Arizona Cardinals ML (-125)
Over 39 1/2 points (-110)
Under 39 1/2 points (-110)
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Why The Cowboys Could Win
Dallas has already played in the Hall of Fame Game, dropping the contest by 13 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite the loss, there were some positive takeaways from the contest. The backups on the Cowboys' defense played good football, showing depth throughout the defensive roster, especially in the secondary. Dallas has plenty of exciting young players on the back end, including cornerback Nahshon Wright and safety Israel Mukuamu. The Cowboys will be facing a softer matchup than they did in the Hall of Fame Game, so it's fair to expect this defense to improve on their already-strong performance.
The Cowboys also showed off their depth at their skill positions. Dallas had multiple receivers look good against the Steelers, with wideout Malik Turner standing out from the group. Wide receivers Aaron Parker and Cedric Wilson also flashed their ability against a tough Steelers defense. If the Cowboys can clean up their quarterback play, their pass-catchers will be able to shred a Cardinals secondary that has questionable depth.
Why The Cardinals Could Win
The Cardinals aren't one of the deepest teams in the NFL, but their depth has its strong points. One of those strong points is Arizona's defensive line. All four starting positions on the defensive line have quality backups playing in them, including young players who are out to prove themselves and established veterans. Zach Allen, Rashard Lawrence, and Leki Fotu should all see significant snaps in this preseason game. That's bad news for a Cowboys offensive line that just allowed five tackles for loss, four sacks, and nine quarterback pressures to the Steelers. Arizona should have no trouble stopping the run or rushing the passer.
The Cardinals also have great depth at their skill positions. Their wide receiver corps includes several extremely talented young players who will be out to make a name for themselves. Rondale Moore is expected to start in the regular season, but he should see some snaps in this one. KeeSean Johnson and Antoine Wesley are both receivers who were highly regarded late-round prospects coming out of Fresno State and Texas Tech, respectively. The Cowboys may have some good depth in the secondary, but these pass-catchers are a tough matchup for any team's backup cornerbacks.
Final Cowboys-Cardinals Prediction & Pick
The Cardinals shouldn't be as heavily favored as they are, but the Cowboys still aren't the best pick on the board. The under is as close to a lock as you can get in this one. The Cowboys showed their offensive ability when they scored three points in the Hall of Fame Game, and while they won't repeat that abysmal performance, they won't be putting points on the board in bunches on Friday. The Cardinals won't either, as their lack of offensive line depth and weak quarterback play will hold them back.
FINAL PICK: Under 39 1/2 points (-110)
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