NFL Win Totals Betting Pick: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys will enter the season with a new head coach and a fresh start. With longtime Packers coach Mike McCarthy replacing the departed Jason Garrett, the Cowboys will aim to improve off of a disappointing 8-8 season and get back into the postseason.
Dallas’ over/under win total has been set at 9.5 following a busy offseason. We’ll take a look at just how that offseason has gone for them, as well as their schedule ahead, in order to determine whether the over or the under is the right play.
Offseason Summary
There’s no question that McCarthy represents the biggest addition to the Cowboys, although several new faces will be on the field in 2020. The biggest financial commitment was given to Panthers DT Gerald McCoy, who they signed to a three-year deal. McCoy’s teammate in Carolina, DT Dontari Poe, also signed for two years. Their only other multi-year agreement came with Rams K Greg Zuerlein, who will take over kicking duties for the next three seasons. Among the other additions for Dallas, longtime Bengals QB Andy Dalton was signed as the new backup to Dak Prescott, the oft-troubled DE Aldon Smith was brought in for a year, and Bears S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was signed to bolster the secondary.
The Cowboys did encounter a number of prominent departures as well. Two longtime veterans, TE Jason Witten and C Travis Frederick, left Dallas, with Witten signing in Las Vegas with the Raiders and Frederick retiring at age 29. In addition to those two players, CB Byron Jones left for a big pay day with the Dolphins, as did EDGE Robert Quinn with the Bears. Two other players on defense, DT Maliek Collins and S Jeff Heath, are also joining Witten in Vegas. WR Randall Cobb signing with the Texans and OG Xavier Su’a-FILO agreeing with the Bengals make up a couple other notable departures.
As far as the draft went, the Cowboys found some solid value and made the most of their seven picks. They led off with Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb, who fell to them at No. 17 overall and should be a starter right away. They then snagged Alabama CB Trevon Diggs, who should enter the starting mix right away as well. They went back to the Big 12 in round three with the selection of Oklahoma DT Neville Gallimore, before going with another cornerback in Tulsa’s Reggie Robinson II. With their final three selections, Dallas took Wisconsin C Tyler Biadasz, Utah DE Bradlee Anae, and James Madison QB Ben DiNucci.
2020 Schedule
The Cowboys will play their rivals in the NFC East two times each just like usual this season. They’ll also match up against the NFC West and AFC North, plus two other second place finishers from last season in the Falcons and Vikings. Overall, it’s a schedule that should bode well for Dallas. They have the third-easiest strength of schedule, with their opponents combining for a .459 winning percentage in 2019.
Dallas gets tested right away with a Sunday night game at the Rams to begin the season followed by a trip to Seattle to play the Seahawks two weeks later. However, then they head home for three straight home games highlighted by a division matchup against the Giants. Back-to-back road games against the Redskins and Eagles lead up to their Week 10 bye. Following their break, three of the next four come on the road, as trips to Minnesota and Baltimore will provide a test for Dallas. They’ll end their season with home games against the 49ers and Eagles before one final game on the road versus New York.
Verdict
Despite losing a number of players this offseason, the Cowboys are a deep team that should replace the losses fairly well. Not to mention, their core is still largely in tact, highlighted by the dynamic offensive trio of Prescott, RB Ezekiel Elliot, and the newly-extended WR Amari Cooper. All-pros like OT Tyron Smith and OG Zack Martin are still anchoring the o-line, while DE DeMarcus Lawrence and LB Jaylon Smith represent the heart of the defense.
So with a win total set at 9.5, do you bet the over or the under? It helps that the Cowboys play in a defensive in which both Washington and New York are rebuilding. Philadelphia remains their biggest threat, and two games against them will go a long way in figuring out who wins the division. But overall, a lackluster division and nearly half of their games coming against sub-.500 opponents bodes well for Dallas, and a new head coach should spark some life into the franchise. I’m taking OVER 9.5 wins for the Cowboys this season. Take the OVER for the Cowboys at our top pay per head bookie site www.RealBookies.com.
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