Betting Preview
Game Details
- Matchup: Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 29 (Week 8)
- Time: 12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET
- Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Cowboys -278, Rams +225
- Spread: Cowboys -6 (-112), Rams +6 (-108)
- Total: Over/Under 45.5 (-110/-110)
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. Subject to change.
For the second time in as many games, the Dallas Cowboys (4-2) will face off against an L.A.-based team when they host the Los Angeles Rams (3-4) in Week 8 of the 2023 NFL schedule.
The Cowboys had a bye week last Sunday but snuck by the Chargers in a 20-17 win in Week 6. Meanwhile, the Rams were three-point favorites last week versus the Steelers but lost outright, 24-17, to fall two games back in the NFC West.
The Cowboys are one of the favorites to make a run in the playoffs, as their Super Bowl odds are the fifth-shortest at 10/1, while Los Angeles’ price in the futures market is a lowly 75/1.
Moneyline
The Cowboys are dealing as overwhelming -278 favorites on the moneyline entering the weekend, which is a high price for a straight bet. Dallas should win at home on Sunday, but these moneyline odds make the team more of a parlay or same-game parlay betting option.
There were a lot of question marks around the Cowboys after a 28-16 loss to the Cardinals and a subsequent 42-10 blowout loss to the 49ers. To their credit, they responded to each of those defeats with a win the following week.
Dak Prescott was impressive in both bounce-back wins, and he’s the engine that makes this team go. He can also tear it down in a hurry.
Dallas is loaded on the defensive side of the ball, but Prescott is known for putting the unit in bad situations. He tied for the NFL lead in interceptions last year and has reverted to this lousy play at times this year, throwing a combined four interceptions in the Cowboys’ two losses this season.
If Prescott makes the easy throws and doesn’t turn the ball over, the Cowboys should have no problem winning this game outright. The risk that he doesn’t, though, makes this team less appealing at such a short moneyline price.
Point Spread
The spread is set at six points, which makes this a tougher call than the moneyline.
The Rams haven’t been a terrible football team in 2023 on either side of the ball. Turnovers have cost them games, but they’re still an average statistical team on offense and defense, ranking 16th in scoring offense (22.1 PPG) and 14th in scoring defense (20.1 PPG).
Yet those turnovers have been a key issue this season, with Stafford deserving much of the blame.
The former Pro Bowl quarterback ranks fifth in passing yards per game (272.6) and 13th in QBR (60.3), and he’s made some incredible throws into tight windows. Yet he’s also turned it over six times through his first seven starts, which must improve for Los Angeles to make the playoffs.
Curiously, Stafford’s stats have been even worse since star receiver Cooper Kupp returned to the lineup in Week 5, and the Rams are 1-2 in those three games since his return.
Even though Dallas is laying a touchdown, it’s still worth siding with the Cowboys against the spread. They’ve posted a 4-2 ATS record this season and have had an extra week to prepare for the Rams, whose turnover woes are too prominent to ignore against one of the most opportunistic defenses in the league.
Over/Under
The Over/Under is 45.5, and we’re leaning Under for this line.
There is reason to believe the Cowboys’ offense will be better prepared coming off the bye, but there are still playmakers for the Rams’ defense, which should slow Dallas’ momentum offensively.
On the other side, Stafford is good for a turnover per game and should be due for one here, especially against a relentless Dallas defense that ranks fifth in total takeaways (12).
Micah Parsons leads the Cowboys in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (7) and enters this week as the co-favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year (+200) after finishing second for the award in 2022. He’ll be in Stafford’s face throughout the game, which should set up Dallas’ defense for success on the back end, too.
If the Cowboys can get up early and lean on the run in the second half, it’ll be tough for this game to surpass 45.5 points.
Player Prop
The best prop bet for this game is CeeDee Lamb to surpass 64.5 receiving yards (-115).
Dallas has emphasized the run game with Tony Pollard in 2023, but the team’s best weapon in the passing game is Lamb, who leads the team in targets (42), receptions (34) and receiving yards (475) through six games.
The former first-round pick broke out last week when he caught seven passes for 117 yards – marking his second-highest totals in a game this season. Even though Lamb didn’t find the end zone, his production is something to be excited about entering this week.
Lamb has only exceeded this total three times this season, but Dallas knows how important it is to target its top receiver. The Cowboys have won all three of those games when Lamb posts 65 receiving yards or more, compared to a 1-2 record when he doesn’t.
We like Dallas’ chances of prevailing on Sunday, and that should spell a good game for Lamb, too.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
