NFL WEEK 9 BEST BETS: MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Summary
The Arizona Cardinals face the Dallas Cowboys in a historic NFC matchup. Despite the Cowboys holding a 56-35-1 all-time series lead, Arizona has dominated recently, winning seven of the last eight meetings, including a 28-16 victory in September 2023. The Cardinals are coming off a bye week following a competitive 27-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers, while Dallas is reeling from a 44-24 blowout defeat to the Denver Broncos.
The prediction is for a high-scoring affair where the Cowboys win 41-38, covering the -2.5 point spread and hitting the over on the 53.5 point total. Several player prop bets are also recommended, including touchdowns for Kyler Murray, George Pickens, Trey McBride, and CeeDee Lamb, as well as exceeding specific receiving and rushing yardage totals for key players.
By Adam Greene
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (-2.5, O/U: 53.5)
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m.
Broadcast: ABC/ESPN
THE HISTORY
Some of you may not know this, but for much of the NFL’s modern history the Cardinals and Cowboys were both in the NFC East. In fact, they were division mates from 1970-2002, when the Houston Texans entered the league and forced both conferences into the alignment we now enjoy. You might say, Adam, how in the hell was a team in Arizona in the NFC East? Hey, how is a team in Dallas in the NFC East? It still makes no sense, even if you factor in that from 1960-1987, the Cardinals played in St. Louis. Because of that divisional tomfoolery, this is a pretty lengthy rivalry. Sunday night’s contest will be the 93rd overall meeting between the two franchises with Dallas, you will not be shocked to learn, holding a significant advantage at 56-35-1. They last faced off on Sep. 24, 2023, with the Cards winning 28-16. That gave them a three-game winning streak over the Boys. In fact, Arizona has owned this rivalry since 2008, winning seven of eight. In that 2023 Cards win, Joshua Dobbs outdueled Dak Prescott, passing for 189 yards and a touchdown with James Conner rushing 14 times for 98 yards. Prescott was 25 of 40 for 249 yards, one TD and a pick. Tony Pollard, now with the Tennessee Titans, had 23 carries for 122 yards.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-5)
The Cards roll into this one off a bye right after a 27-23 solid showing against the Green Bay Packers. It was still a loss, but they were in the game. And, frankly, I did not expect that. Jacoby Brissett, starting for an injured Kyler Murray, was 25 of 36 passing for 279 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He scrambled six times for 26 yards and was sacked six times. Zonovan Knight rushed 14 times for 57 yards and Trey McBride caught 10 passes for 74 yards and two scores. The defense sacked Jordan Love once and held the Pack to just 94 yards on the ground.
DALLAS COWBOYS (3-4)
Dallas dropped their game with the Denver Broncos in blowout fashion last week, 44-24. Dak Prescott knocked himself out of the MVP conversation for at least a week with a 19 of 31 for 188 yards, no touchdowns and two interception performance. He rushed six times for 31 yards and was sacked twice. Javonte Williams finished with 13 carries for 41 yards and two TDs. George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb both caught seven passes apiece, with Pickens accounting for 78 yards and Lamb hitting 74. The defense picked off Bo Nix once but never laid a glove on him. They allowed the Broncos to rush for 179 yards on the ground.
BEST BETS
I picked this one to be a shootout with the Cowboys winning 41-38 in The FAQ and I’m sticking with it. That means Dallas covers -2.5 and the OVER is hit in this one. In fact, the OVER in this one does not stand a chance.
I like Kyler Murray, George Pickens, Trey McBride and CeeDee Lamp to all score touchdowns in this game. That pays at +2200.
Trey McBride going over 59.5 receiving yards, George Pickes going over 67.5 receiving yards. CeeDee Lamb going over 71.5 receiving yards and Dak Prescott passing for over 268.5 yards pays at +450.
While we’re at it, the threshold looks low for Zonovan Knight to rush for more than 45.5 yards and Javonte Williams to rush for over 54.5 yards, so let’s do that too. It pays +140.
Follow Adam Greene on Blue Sky @AdamGreene13, threads @adam.greene and Twitter @TheFirstMan
