Dallas Cowboys NFL Prediction: 2021 Season Betting Odds and Preview
Jerry Jones always has high expectations and 2021 will be no different for the Cowboys. After a brutal injury ended Dak Prescott’s season last year, Dallas’ QB1 looks like he’s heathy and motivated. NFL fans and critics around the league are expecting the Cowboys to take the next step forward and find some playoff success this season. Can America’s Team make a dent in the NFC?
Veteran Additions
OT Ty Nsekhe, DT Brent Urban, DT Carlos Watkins, S Malik Hooker, S Keanu Neal, S Damontae Kazee, P Bryan Anger.
Notable Draft Picks
LB Micah Parsons, CB Kelvin Joseph, DT Osa Odighizuwa, DE Chauncey Golston, CB Nahshon Wright, LB Jabril Cox, OT Josh Ball.
Offseason Losses
QB Andy Dalton, C Joe Looney, DE Aldon Smith, DE Tyrone Crawford, LB Sean Lee, CB Chidobe Awuzie, S Xavier Woods.
Dallas Cowboys Acquisitions and Moves
Dallas’ 2020 season ended when Dak Prescott’s ankle was mangled against the New York Giants in Week 5 and Andy Dalton became the new starter. In five games, Prescott threw for 1,856 yards with nine passing touchdowns, four interceptions and three rushing TDs. Prescott is back for 2021 with a massive new contract and if he stays healthy, the Cowboys are the team to beat in the NFC East. Sports Interaction has Prescott as a +205 favourite to win Comeback Player of the Year and at +1713, he’s also a Top-10 MVP favourite.
The Cowboys are going to need a better effort from the offensive line if Prescott is going to stay healthy. The offensive line protected Prescott in his early seasons, but the blocking has regressed each year. A big part of that decline is because of Tyron Smith’s injury issues. Smith only played two games last season because of a neck injury and he hasn’t played a full year since 2015. Tackle La’el Collins and guard Zack Martin are elite blockers, but guard Connor Williams and centre Tyler Biadasz just aren’t good enough.
Running back Ezekiel Elliott is another Dallas player who needs a bounce-back season. Elliott didn’t look motivated at times in 2020 after coming into training camp overweight and fumbling the ball more than usual. Outside of Elliott, the Cowboys offence will rely heavily on the receiving trio of CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Lamb overtook Cooper as the team’s primary receiver last year in his rookie season and he’s a candidate for a breakout year now that he has some experience under his belt.
Dallas’ defence is a huge issue right now. First-round draft pick Micah Parsons will need to produce right away at linebacker, as will second-round pick Kelvin Joseph at cornerback. Joseph will start alongside Trevon Diggs, who the Cowboys need to step up after an average 2020 rookie season. Questions remain about the effectiveness of safeties Donovon Wilson and Damontae Kazee as well as linebacker Keanu Neal (formerly a safety).
Dallas Cowboys 2021 NFL Schedule
The Cowboys are coming off a 6-10 season, but I still like Sports Interaction’s Over value on their 2021 regular season win total of 9.5 at +111. Dallas has the second-easiest schedule, so as long as Prescott stays healthy, they should take the NFC East.
Dallas’ season starts off tough on the road against the defending Super Bowl champs. Their bye week is set for Week 7. The key dates to circle are Week’s 13, 14 and 15, when the Cowboys will play on the road in New Orleans, followed by divisional road games in Washington and New York.
Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 9 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:20 p.m
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 19 @ Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
Week 3: Monday, Sept. 27 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 3 vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 10 vs. New York Giants, 4:25 p.m.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17 @ New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m.
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 31 @ Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 p.m.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 7 vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 14 vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 21 @ Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 25 vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:30 p.m.
Week 13: Thursday, Dec. 2 @ New Orleans Saints, 8:20 p.m.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 12 @ Washington Football Team, 1 p.m.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 19 @ New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26 vs. Washington Football Team, 8:20 p.m.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 9 @ Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys NFL Betting Odds
Dallas is paying -175 to make the playoffs and +110 to win the NFC East. They look like a lock to win the division if they stay healthy and they’re the safest longshot to win the NFC Conference (if you can call a longshot safe). I’d take the Cowboys to make the playoffs and win the division no sweat, but +1345 to win the conference is a little rich for my blood. They’re +1300 to reach the Super Bowl and +2717 to actually win the big game.
Dallas Cowboys 2021 Season Prediction
A healthy Prescott should help the Cowboys cruise past the Giants and Eagles and while I expect Washington to put up a tougher fight, I still don’t see them beating out Dallas. Look for the Cowboys to win the division with a 10-7 season.