Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints
Date/Time: September 29, 8:20 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: NBC
Opening Odds: New Orleans -5.5 | O/U 45
Sign up for a FREE Consultation to start working with Legendary Sports Bettor Jon Price
The New Orleans surprised with a road win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, scoring even 33 points without future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. However, the hosts are facing one of the best defenses in the NFL, and it’s going to be a whole another story on Sunday. The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, maintained the perfect start of the season with a comfortable home win over the struggling Miami Dolphins. They are slight favorites to get another victory at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Opening Odds Analysis
New Orleans opened as 5.5-point home favorites when Drew Brees was healthy, but with the offense being evidently slower under Teddy Bridgewater, the Saints are now a 3-point home dog against Dallas. The point total was at 45 before and then moved up to 46.0
Dallas Cowboys News & Notes
The Dallas Cowboys recorded an easy 31-6 home win over the Miami Dolphins, not allowing a touchdown in the process. Dak Prescott displayed a solid performance, completing 19 of 32 pass attempts for 246 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also added a rushing touchdown to his name. Prescott connected with wideout Amari Cooper twice in the end zone while Ezekiel Elliott and Pollard combined for 228 rush yards and a score.
Once again, the Cowboys’ defense was phenomenal. They ended the tilt with three sacks and 11 hits on Dolphins quarterbacks. Across the opening three weeks, they’re one of just four teams allowing fewer than 15 points per game.
Dallas’ offense is scoring 33.00 points per contest (5th in the NFL) and is facing New Orleans’ defense that is allowing 27.50 points per game (27th). The Cowboys’ passing offense is among the league’s best as they are averaging 333.00 yards per game (3rd). Prescott will have a solid opportunity to add another 250+ yard performance against the Saints’ secondary that is letting 249.50 yards per contest (17th). After two straight games with 100+ rushing yards, Ezekiel Elliott is on the line to have another great game as he is going against the defense that is allowing 147.50 yards to the opposing runners (27th).
New Orleans Saints News and Notes
Despite earning the upset win at Seattle, it’s obvious that Teddy Bridgewater’s offense is not good. He was lucky that the Saints took a 14-0 lead thanks to a sturdy defense and turnovers from the Seahawks, and wasn’t under heavy pressure for the remainder of the game. Although recording a couple of touchdowns, Bridgewater had just 177 passing yards, and it looks like the Saints will miss their talismanic QB Drew Brees in this one.
Brees is still suffering from a thumb injury and will be sidelined for the next few weeks, even though he said that he is looking to return to the field earlier. Wideout Keith Kirkwood (knee) is on the injury reserve list while Tre’ Quan Smith is questionable with an ankle injury. That is making things even harder for Bridgewater to move the chains through the air.
New Orleans’ defense finished without a sack and gave up 515 total yards to Seattle. Considering that the Cowboys’ offense is more balanced that the Seahawks’, it’s going to be a long day for the hosts on Sunday.
Alvin Kamara must step up again after recording 161 total yards with two scores in a win over Seattle. However, he is facing Dallas’ defense that is allowing 99.00 rushing yards. The visitors know the Saints will utilize Kamara frequently here, so I am not optimistic about New Orleans’ chances in this one.
Betting Trends:
Dallas:
- 8-2 ATS in their last ten games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game
- 5-1 ATS in their last six games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game
- 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS win
- 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. the NFC opponents
New Orleans:
- 1-4 ATS in their last five games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game
- 1-7 ATS in their last eight games overall
- 0-5 ATS in their last five home games
- 1-5 ATS in their last six vs. the NFC opponents
Betting Pick: Dallas -3
The Dallas Cowboys have a much better defense than Seattle, and Teddy Bridgewater struggled to move the chains against the Seahawks. I am backing the visitors’ D to dominate in this clash while Prescott, Elliott, and Cooper will lead the way in the offense. The Saints’ defense is facing another 500+ yards allowed on Sunday, and this time around, the luck will not be on their side.