Cowboys vs. Panthers Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
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Charlie Grant
The Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers both love to run the football but two banged up offensive lines could limit Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott and Panthers quarterback Cam Newton from piling up yards on the ground.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Panthers opened as 2.5-point home favourites for their Week 1 tilt against the Cowboys with the total set at 42.5. The Over/Under line opened at 44 but has dropped 1.5 points since.
Dallas is coming off a 9-7 campaign in 2017 that saw the club fail to qualify for the postseason. The ‘Boys went 8-7-1 against the spread and the Under cashed in 10 of their 16 regular season games. Of course, that was with Elliott suiting up for just 10 games.
The Cowboys went 6-4 SU and ATS with Elliott in the lineup a year ago and the Over went 5-5 in those 10 games as well.
Carolina won 11 games last season and went 9-7 ATS along the way, but failed to win the NFC South Division. The Panthers were eliminated by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the playoffs. Cam and Co. are +260 to win the NFC South this season at the Sports Interaction NFL futures board behind the Saints (+175) and Atlanta Falcons (+180).
SIA lists the Cowboys as the second favourites (+333) to win the NFC East behind defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia. Dallas’ Super Bowl odds rest at +2200 while Carolina opens the season at +2500 to finish the year as the NFL champion.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones’ club enters the new campaign with a new starting tight end for the first time since 2004. Jason Witten retired and former No. 1 receiver Dez Bryant was released. The new era of football is officially here in Dallas, and Elliott and third year quarterback Dak Prescott are the faces of the franchise.
The Cowboys are known for their all-world offensive line but they’re dealing with some significant injuries in that area. Pro Bowl centre Travis Frendricks will miss the first week of the season – possibly much longer – because of a rare disease while guard Zack Martin and tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins begin the season with lingering injuries.
Carolina Panthers
Dallas isn’t the only side with injury concerns on the O-line. Starting left tackle Matt Kalil was placed on the IR and 2017 second round pick Taylor Moton is expected to hold the job until Kalil’s right knee is game ready.
Bettors should expect a big year from second-year running back Christian McCaffrey. The former standout college player at Stanford finished last season with 1086 combined rushing and receiving yards. He should see a bigger role in the offence with new coordinator Norv Turner calling the plays.
