Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Dallas Defense Dominate Without Trevon Diggs?
The Dallas Cowboys travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals this Sunday. Can Dallas' defense continue to dominate without Trevon Diggs? Matt MacKay provides his Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals pick.
Matt MacKay - September 22, 2023, 11:36 AM EDT
7 minDallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Dallas Defense Dominate Without Trevon Diggs?
The only thing to derail Dallas' momentum is injuries, which, unfortunately, found star cornerback Trevon Diggs during practice earlier this week. Micah Parsons is still the MVP of the Cowboys' defense, but Diggs' absence for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL could make Dallas a bit more vulnerable on the back end.
Arizona has been a tough out for Washington and the New York Giants, as the Cardinals have managed to cover as +7 and +4.5 underdogs on the road and at home. They welcome the Cowboys into Glendale on Sunday afternoon, trying to maintain a goldfish memory despite letting the Giants mount a 31-28 comeback win after being down 20-0 at halftime. Quarterback Josh Dobbs has flashed in certain spots despite being brand new to the Cardinals' offense, while head coach Jonathan Gannon has the defense playing hard-nosed, physical football.
Dallas has cruised to easy wins over the Giants and Zach Wilson-led Jets so far, but it'll be interesting to monitor how well they execute their game plan, funneling the offense through CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard. Dak Prescott hasn't been asked to do a lot yet, but the Cardinals have shown us that they are masters of covering the spread, which is set to a week-high 12.5 points.
NFL handicapper Matt MacKay gives us his prediction and pick to wager in this NFC matchup between an early favorite to contend for the Super Bowl against a team expected to tank for top NFL Draft prospect Caleb Williams. Here's the latest analysis for Cowboys vs. Cardinals.
Cowboys vs. Cardinals Start Time, Where To Watch, And Odds
- Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023
- Game Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Cowboys vs. Cardinals Odds
- Spread: Cowboys -12.5 (-110), Cardinals +12.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: Under 42.5 (-105), Over 42.5 (-115)
- Moneyline Odds: Cowboys (-670), Cardinals (+490)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals Injury Report
Cowboys
Questionable: C Tyler Biadasz (Hamstring), S Jayron Kearse (Illness), G Zack Martin (Ankle),
Out: CB Trevon Diggs (Knee)
Cardinals
Questionable: DL Josh Woods (Ankle), DL Leki Fotu (Shoulder)
Out: S Budda Baker (Hamstring), DL L.J. Collier (Bicep), DT Carlos Watkins (Bicep)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction
This is another low-point total game, where oddsmakers have the over/under set at 42.5. The Cardinals' offense has scored three total touchdowns on offense, along with one defensive touchdown, with Josh Dobbs using his legs to extend plays and bulldoze defenders.
James Conner is a focal point of Arizona's offense, functioning as a workhorse RB1, while Marquise Brown finally found the end zone against the Giants last week, returning value as the team's WR1. Unfortunately, Conner is running into a Cowboys buzz saw, as they have yet to allow a rushing touchdown while only surrendering one passing touchdown and a league-low 214 receiving yards.
Dallas is a top-three offense in terms of rushing volume, and the Cardinals' run defense is ranked 15th in rushing yards allowed while surrendering three touchdowns on the ground. The absence of Budda Baker in the secondary will make it easier for Lamb to operate, while the expected return of Brandin Cooks as WR2 could balance the Cowboys' passing attack even more.
Arizona has lost nine straight while covering four of their last five games. 12.5 points is a lot, especially as a home underdog. The last time the Cardinals were double-digit underdogs in Glendale against Dallas, they lost by 11 points. Meanwhile, the under has cashed in five of Dallas' last six games while going under in all five of their recent road games. The craziest trend is seeing that Arizona is 6-1 SU against the Cowboys in their last seven games head-to-head, but there's little reason to suspect this continues on Sunday.
31-10 or 38-3 feels like a realistic outcome in this game, which narrowly cashes under 42.5, so let's roll with the hottest trend to continue cashing in this lopsided matchup in the Desert.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals Pick
- Pick: Under 42.5 -105 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
NFL Odds
