New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys Game Prop Picks: Will Tony Pollard Break Out on MNF?

New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys Game Prop Picks: Will Tony Pollard Break Out on MNF?

The last game of week three is here, and what a week it was. The winless Colts knocked off the Chiefs, the Super Bowl favorites (the Bills) were upset by the Dolphins, and the Jaguars decimated the Chargers to move to 2-1. Now, the Giants have their turn to shake things up because if they move to 3-0, it will be the first time they have started 3-0 since 2009. Should the Giants win, they will also be only one of three undefeated teams, along with the 3-0 Dolphins and 3-0 Eagles. The books have this game as a toss-up, marking the spread at -1 in favor of the home team. However, it is not the spread I am concerned with here, as a player prop has caught my eye instead. That prop lies on Cowboy's running back Tony Pollard.

Giants vs. Cowboys Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: September 26, 2022
• Game Time: 8:15 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ABC/ESPN

Giants vs. Cowboys Odds

Spread: Giants -1 (-108), Cowboys +1 (-110)

Total: Under 39.5 (-106), Over 39.5 (-107)

Moneyline: Giants (-112), Cowboys (+105)

Click here for Giants vs Cowboys odds

New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys Prediction

With Dak Prescott Going down in week one, not much was expected from the Cowboys. However, Cooper Rush gave the Cowboys a big win in Dallas last week, knocking off the Bengals 20-17. It's fair to say the Bengals were guessing how the offense would look under Rush, as there's nearly no tape to go off of.

Now, the Giants have been afforded the luxury of at least one full game with Rush under center, as this will be Rush's third career start and his first time starting back-to-back games. How do backup quarterbacks fare in their second back-to-back start? Well, backup quarterbacks are 17-35 the game after they started, and while Rush is technically in his third start, I brought it up only to prove a point.

It's much harder to defend when you can't prepare a game plan against an unknown quarterback and more manageable once you have seen how the offense runs with them under center. But defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has done an excellent job with the Giants so far, and they will have the edge over the Bengals in that they have at least an idea of how to attack the offense.

What also helps the Giants in this spot is that key active players on the defense that were questionable this week are looking good to go. Young edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari will both play tonight, giving the Giants a massive boost up front. Martindale's blitz-heavy defense is sure to prove to be a qualm Cooper Rush will have to overcome all night, especially with tackle Connor McGovern on the sidelines tonight. Aside from Zack Martin and Terrence Steele, the left side of the line will be weak tonight against Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence. So what does all this have to do with Tony Pollard?

Tony Pollard may be Copper Rush's best look on offense tonight. With Dalton Schultz and Michael Gallup questionable, the Cowboys are thin in the receiver department, and Rush may not have much time to throw it as it is already. Aside from Ceedee Lamb, Pollard should be the next look, even over Noah Brown.

Typically, with quarterbacks under pressure, they will dump it off to their running back, and in the Cowboy's case, Pollard is the better receiving option over Elliot. Elliot has yet to record more than one reception in his last six games, while Pollard has recorded at least two in those same six games. Pollard has been targeted ten times through the first two games, while Elliot has been targeted twice. Last week when Rush started, Pollard caught four passes for 55 yards, which was one of his best receiving games so far in his career. I expect Rush will be looking his way plenty again tonight with the Giant's heavy blitzing.

With a weak offensive line, questionable receiving targets, and an underwhelming Ezekiel Elliot, Tony Pollard should see good action tonight. It's clear that Pollard has become the go-to passing option in the backfield. With the Giants blitzing often, Rush will either heave it downfield or dump it off to Pollard, and it's more often than not going to be the latter. Pollard hit over 2.5 receptions in both his games against the Giants last season, and this line is good enough for me to bite on. I'm backing Pollard to get at least three catches tonight and even make it into the end zone at some point.

New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys Player Prop Picks

• 2U Pick: Tony Pollard O2.5 Receptions @ -125 (Bet $125 to win $100)
• .5U Pick: Tony Pollard Any Time Touchdown @ +250 (Bet $100 to win $125)

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