Cowboys: Best bet to make revealed by overwhelming mismatch
The Dallas Cowboys are 10-3 and feeling good. While we all want to get to next Saturday's showdown versus the Philadelphia Eagles, there's a test on the way that can't be taken any lightly. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a legit, top-10 passing offense that's led by former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence. Can the […]
The Dallas Cowboys are 10-3 and feeling good. While we all want to get to next Saturday's showdown versus the Philadelphia Eagles, there's a test on the way that can't be taken any lightly.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a legit, top-10 passing offense that's led by former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence. Can the Cowboys' pass rush bounce back on Sunday? And what's the best bet to make?
This season we're 11-2 (!!!) betting Cowboys' games in this weekly series of Betting the Cowboys.
Last year, we had a positive record of 9-7 on this weekly series. That's a 56.3% hit rate, over the goal of hitting 52.4% which would be our breakeven rate on -110 odds.
The odds
- Spread: Dallas Cowboys -4 (-110)
- Moneyline: Dallas Cowboys -210 / Jacksonville Jaguars +180
- Total: 47.5
The public is seeking some sunshine
Per Action Network, 55% of the bets are on Trevor Lawrence and the Jags. That's somewhat unsurprising considering the Cowboys' struggles against the Texans are not as pretty optics-wise as Jacksonville's great performance against the Titans.
Last weekend, you could've gotten Dallas -6 but the spread has moved in the home team's favor.
Trends
- The Cowboys are 8-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last nine games in December.
- The Cowboys are 13-3 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
- The Jaguars are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
- Over is 5-1 in the Cowboys' last six games overall.
The pick: Cowboys are the better team
Trevor Lawrence deserves some respect. He put in an absolute clinic against the Titans last Sunday, throwing multiple high-end throws to different receivers throughout the game. Make no mistake about it, he will challenge a Cowboys' secondary that's lining up two backup cornerbacks.
The Cowboys need their pass rush to bounce back on Sunday as Lawrence has struggled this season when under pressure but will be facing a guy capable of sniffing out the blitz and getting rid of the ball quickly.
Yet, the Cowboys are 1st in pass DVOA. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott and friends will be facing the 30th pass defense in the NFL.
CeeDee Lamb could find himself being shadowed by CB Tyson Campbell, who has gotten quality results against the likes of Davante Adams and Courtland Sutton. But quite frankly, the offense has too many other weapons to exploit the Jaguars' defensive backfield.
I expect a top-tier performance by the offense, enough to cover the spread even if Trevor does his thing on the other side of the ball.
The bet:Cowboys -4 (-110)
Season bets: 11-2
Last season bets: 9-7 (56.25%)
Odds via Covers
Featured image via Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports