Chargers vs. Cowboys Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 3 Odds, Prediction
The Cowboys return home after rolling to a decisive 27-12 victory in Las Vegas last weekend and will be gunning for a third straight home win in August action. The Chargers arrive in Dallas aiming to extend their current straight up win streak on the road in NFL preseason action to three games, but have struggled to rediscover their offensive touch while scoring just 12 total points while losing each of their two preseason contests to date, capped by last weekend’s 13-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Buoyed by last week’s decisive win, the Cowboys enter Saturday’s August finale as 3.5-point favourites on the NFL Preseason Week 3 odds. The Chargers are listed as +165 underdogs on the NFL moneyline, and the total is pegged at 33.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Saturday afternoon’s matchup marks the Chargers’ first preseason visit to Dallas in 13 years. The Cowboys claimed a 32-18 victory when these teams last met in August two years ago. However, the Chargers have otherwise dominated, winning each of their four previous preseason contests and five of seven overall since 2008. The Chargers have also covered in each of their five recent preseason wins over the Cowboys, and have limited Dallas to just seven points in three of their past five dates. Los Angeles has also enjoyed plenty of offensive production while winning their past two August road games, averaging 28.5 points in those contests.
Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers bench boss Jim Harbaugh has stated that as many as 15 starters will sit out Saturday’s preseason final including quarterback Justin Herbert, who continues to recover from a foot injury that has limited him at camp. Even if he were healthy, Herbert would unlike see much action on Saturday, considering the struggles that both Easton Stick and Luis Perez have endured during their battle for the backup job. Stick completed eight of 13 pass attempts for 85 yards last weekend, but once again failed to find the end zone while turning over the ball on consecutive drives including his second interception of the postseason. Journeyman passer Luis Perez remains in the hunt after going 13-for-20 for 78 yards last week, but with few seasoned receivers expected to be in the lineup, the job of impressing Coach Harbaugh in Saturday’s date with the desperate Cowboys will be massive.
Dallas Cowboys
Trey Lance managed to put a dismal start to the NFL Preseason behind him last weekend, tossing for 151 yards and one touchdown in the Cowboys’ 27-12 win over the Raiders. As far as team owner Jerry Jones is concerned, Lance has done more than enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. However, with Dak Prescott not expected to see any action on Saturday, and head coach Mike McCarthy singing the praises of veteran pivot Cooper Rush, the battle to be Prescott’s backup is far from over. Accordingly, NFL betting fans should expect to see both passers get plenty of playing time against the Chargers. With CeeDee Lamb still unavailable as he negotiates a new deal with the team and Brandon Cooks nursing a knee injury, auditions also continue downfield. That opens the door for rookie receiver Ryan Flournoy to strengthen his case to crack the opening day lineup. Flournoy has reported developed a solid rapport with Lance, and led the squad with four catches and one TD in last weekend’s win.