The winless New York Jets (0-4) look for their first victory of the season when they host the Dallas Cowboys (3-2) in East Rutherford, NJ, on Sunday. New York is coming off of a bad loss to the Eagles, while Dallas is also on a losing streak, their latest defeat at home against the Packers. As of Sunday morning, the Cowboys are seven-point favorites on the road.
Here is a preview of this game, including a couple of betting trends and a prediction.
Cowboys Trying To Get Back On Track
After a 3-0 start against below-average teams, Dallas has suffered back-to-back losses against the Saints and Packers. During this losing streak, quarterback Dak Prescott is turning the ball over quite a bit, with four interceptions to two touchdown passes. He did, however, throw for a career-high 463 yards against Green Bay, leading the offense to 563 total yards with 32 first downs.
After a pass-heavy game plan against New Orleans, Dallas went back to running the football with Ezekiel Elliott last Sunday. Elliott leads the team with 85 carries for 386 yards and four touchdowns. Dallas will rely on him once again against a Jets team that is pretty decent against the run.
Through the air, however, is where Dallas may have its best advantage. With Prescott, leading receiver Amari Cooper, and others like Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb, the Cowboys are fourth in passing yards per game, third in passing touchdowns, and first in net yards per pass attempt. Meanwhile, the Jets are only 21st in passing yards allowed and among the league’s worst in terms of rushing the quarterback.
The biggest X-factor for Dallas will be on the offensive line. Tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins are questionable for Sunday’s game, with Smith being considered a true game-time decision. Their absences would affect the Cowboys’ offense greatly, especially their ability to protect Prescott.
Jets Seeking First Win
It has not been an ideal start for the Jets, but good news is on the way. Quarterback Sam Darnold is back after missing the last three games with mononucleosis. He will try to get the league’s worst passing offense back on track, which only has one passing touchdown this season. That pass was thrown by Darnold, who also threw for 175 yards and no interceptions back in Week 1 against a good Bills defense.
New York has also struggled on the ground, where Le’ Veon Bell has just 206 yards on 71 carries. Bell and the Jets have the third-fewest rushing yards per game and second-fewest yards per carry. Dallas’ run defense is solid, but it is beatable, as they have allowed six rushing touchdowns this season. And with Darnold giving New York more of a passing threat, it could open things up for Bell and company in a new-look offense.
A couple of key players, linebacker C.J. Mosley and guard Kelechi Osemele, are listed as doubtful for the Jets. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is questionable, but every other player of note, and most importantly Darnold, is ready to go for the Jets.
Betting Trends and Pick
The Cowboys went 3-0 both straight up and against the spread in their first three games against bad teams, and now face a fourth in the Jets. The over has also hit three times for Dallas this season. Meanwhile, the Jets are 1-3 against the spread and 0-2 at home. The under has hit in three of their four games and in both home games. The over/under for this game is 44.5.
Even with Darnold back and a solid defense to back him up, I think the Cowboys will get back on track. Expect Prescott and Cooper to connect often, leading the Cowboys to a 28-13 win over the Jets.
