The Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys both have deficiencies to address as they square off Sunday in an NFC battle at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Falcons (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) couldn’t keep Seattle out of the end zone as they dropped an ugly 38-25 decision to the Seahawks, while the vaunted offense of the Cowboys (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) sputtered late in a 20-17 setback to the Rams.
- Date/Time: September 20, 1 p.m. ET
- Stadium: AT&T Stadium
- TV Coverage: Fox
- Sportsbook Odds: Cowboys -7.5 | O/U 50 (Line History)
- Falcons vs Cowboys Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Cowboys kicked off the Week 2 proceedings as favorites of more than a touchdown, but that line has dipped all the way down to -5. The total of 50 has risen to 52 in most spots and could end up even higher by kickoff.
Atlanta News & Notes
The Falcons aren’t exactly known as a defensive power, but their Week 1 performance will leave some bettors wondering just how bad things can get. Atlanta allowed Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson to complete 31 of his 35 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns; the Falcons have allowed 65 points in two games vs the Seahawks (both losses) over the past two seasons.
Fortunately for those who like offense, the Falcons had no trouble moving the football themselves. Matt Ryan threw for 450 yards in defeat, with three Falcons receivers (Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage) posting 100-yard performances. Even against a stout Dallas defense, we like Ryan to go OVER his passing yards total, especially if Dallas takes control.
Dallas News & Notes
The Cowboys (and their backers) have to feel like they let their season opener get away. Dallas picked up seven penalties for 50 yards while going just 3-for-12 on third down. Quarterback Dak Prescott also had an off-game by his standards, averaging just 5.8 yards per pass attempt while settling for 266 total passing yards and one touchdown.
Expect a much more productive showing through the air Sunday afternoon against a Falcons defense that had no answer for Wilson and the visiting Seahawks. We favor the OVER on Prescott’s passing total, along with the OVER on Ezekiel Elliott’s rushing tally after he finished with 96 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in the loss to the Rams.
Betting Pick: OVER 52 (-110)
The Cowboys will almost certainly prioritize offensive chemistry this week, and improvement in that area against a porous Atlanta defense should push this game total above the Vegas number.
- Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games as an underdog.
- Dallas is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games at home.
- The OVER is 5-2 in the Falcons’ last 7 road games.
