Cowboys vs. Giants: A Thursday Night Showdown
As the NFL season heats up, Week 4 brings an exciting clash between two NFC East rivals: the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. Scheduled for Thursday Night Football on September 26, this matchup is crucial for both teams, especially for the Cowboys, who are looking to bounce back from a couple of disappointing performances. With Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb leading the charge, Dallas aims to avoid falling to a dismal 1-3 record.
On the other side, the Giants are riding high on the emergence of rookie sensation Malik Nabers, who has quickly become a fan favorite in New York. With both teams eager to prove themselves, this game promises to be a thrilling encounter filled with player prop opportunities.
Dak Prescott: Aiming for Positive Regression
One of the most intriguing storylines heading into this game is Dak Prescott’s current performance. The Cowboys’ quarterback is experiencing a career-low touchdown rate of just 3.3%. This statistic is particularly striking considering his previous averages, which hover around 5.3%. Many analysts believe that Prescott is due for positive regression, especially against a Giants defense that has shown vulnerabilities.
Despite the Giants’ recent improvements in pass defense, their success has come against less-than-stellar quarterbacks. Prescott’s experience and skill set make him a prime candidate to exploit any weaknesses in New York’s secondary. In their last meeting, Prescott threw for an impressive 404 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his ability to dominate against the Giants.
Player Prop Odds: Cowboys vs. Giants
As we dive into the player prop market for this matchup, several key statistics stand out:
Dak Prescott (DAL)
- Completions: 23.5 (O -115 | U -115)
- Passing Yards: 263.5 (O -115 | U -115)
- Passing TDs: 1.5 (O -120 | U -110)
Daniel Jones (NYG)
- Completions: 19.5 (O -115 | U -115)
- Passing Yards: 198.5 (O -115 | U -115)
- Passing TDs: 0.5 (O -215 | U +165)
CeeDee Lamb (DAL)
- Receptions: 6.5 (O -105 | U -125)
- Receiving Yards: 79.5 (O -115 | U -115)
These odds reflect the expectations for both quarterbacks and their respective offenses. Prescott’s over/under for passing touchdowns is set at 1.5, while Daniel Jones sits at a much lower 0.5. This disparity highlights the confidence in Prescott’s ability to find the end zone.
Prop Picks: Targeting Dak Prescott
Given the current odds and Prescott’s need to prove himself, one of the best bets is to take the over on his passing touchdowns. With the Cowboys’ implied team total sitting at 25.5 points, it’s clear that the offense will need to rely heavily on Prescott to score. The Cowboys’ rushing attack has struggled, ranking among the worst in the league, which means more passing opportunities for Dak.
Prop Pick: Dak Prescott Over 1.5 TD Passes (-120); risk 1 unit at DraftKings.
Rico Dowdle: A Crowded Backfield
While the focus is on Prescott, the Cowboys’ backfield presents another interesting prop opportunity. Rico Dowdle has been the primary ball-carrier, averaging 7.9 carries per game. However, the Dallas rushing attack has been underwhelming, with no running back averaging more than 3.8 yards per carry.
Given the crowded backfield and Dowdle’s lack of explosive plays, betting on the under for his rushing attempts could be a smart move.
Prop Pick: Rico Dowdle Under 8.5 Rush Attempts (+115); risk 1 unit at DraftKings.
Touchdown Scorer Props: Who Will Find the End Zone?
As we look at touchdown scorer props, several players stand out:
- CeeDee Lamb (DAL): +550 to score the first TD, -120 to score any TD.
- Malik Nabers (NYG): +850 to score the first TD, +125 to score any TD.
- Devin Singletary (NYG): +550 to score the first TD, -120 to score any TD.
Devin Singletary, in particular, is worth considering. He has scored in back-to-back games and is the primary back for the Giants, handling a significant portion of the red zone attempts. With Dallas struggling against the run, Singletary could find himself in a favorable position to score.
Prop Pick: Devin Singletary Anytime TD (-120); risk 1 unit at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Betting Landscape
As of September 24, the Cowboys are favored by 5.5 to 6.0 points, with a moneyline of -275. Despite their recent struggles, Dallas is attracting a significant amount of betting action, with 88% of the moneyline handle coming in their favor. This indicates a strong belief among bettors that the Cowboys will turn things around against their division rivals.
With the stage set for an exciting Thursday Night Football matchup, fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching to see if Dak Prescott can reclaim his form and lead the Cowboys to victory over the Giants.