Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints Point Spread Picks

Tyler Shough locked up the Saints’ starting job with his rookie-year finish, and there is no reason for Kellen Moore to expose him in a finale that means nothing. The real competition happening in New Orleans this week is one step down: Spencer Rattler goes in as the presumed backup, but the Saints brought in Zach Wilson specifically to push him for that job, and this is the last real audition either one gets before cuts. Dallas is on the other side of that equation entirely. The Cowboys are 2-0 this preseason without playing Dak Prescott or their top-line starters at all, and their backups have already answered the roster questions that mattered, including an undrafted receiver who has piled up touchdowns in extended run. There is little reason to change an approach that has been working in a finale that means nothing to a team already rolling. New Orleans has the more desperate roster, chasing real jobs at the position that decides games. Take New Orleans on the moneyline and take the UNDER tonight. 

New Orleans is a good-sized underdog despite having a talented, veteran defense. Last year, the Saints were 10th against the pass, eighth in points surrendered, and fourth on third down. They're second in total defense after crushing Carolina in the opener, 47-10. QB Derek Carr was sharp and the offense scored 30 first-half points in Klint Kubiak's play-calling debut. The Saints are on a 5-1 ATS run. Dallas plays its home opener after a 33-17 victory at Cleveland. Despite the 33 points, the offense had just 265 total yards and was 4-of-14 on third down. Brandon Aubrey kicked field goals of 57, 50, 46 and 40 yards. Play New Orleans.

Unbeaten Dallas has had an easy schedule, knocking off the Giants, Redskins and Dolphins. This is only their second road game and they've lost six of their last nine road contests. The Cowboys are 6-14 ATS against winning teams, including 3-7-1 ATS on the road versus teams with a winning home record. This is their first tough test of the season against a New Orleans squad that has a winning record against a much tougher schedule, including wins over the Texans and at Seattle. The Saints are 25-8 ATS at home against a team with a winning road record, 21-8 ATS following a spread cover, and 19-8 ATS after allowing 350+ total yards in their previous game. The underdog is 10-2 ATS when these NFC rivals clash and Dallas is 1-5 ATS in this building, making this a great spot for the home dog. Back New Orleans.

The New Orleans Saints have been toasty hot and after a season-opening loss have now won 10 straight, and covered the last nine of those. They head to Dallas in a rare matchup between teams playing on Thursday with both being off a Thursday game. Dallas was left for dead after losing to Washington and Tennessee in consecutive weeks but have gotten their act together and have won three straight covering, all three. This is a huge game for Dallas as they are in the mix of teams trying to win the NFC East. I think Dallas is going to play well here, but will it be enough against this juggernaut? New Orleans has gone for 37.2 points per game with that only increasing of late. Dalla's is averaging just 21.3 per game so keeping it close here is going to be a challenge. Dating back to last season, the Sants are 11-3 ATS vs. winning teams. Under Sean Payton, they are 50-27 ATS in that sutation and 59-43 ATS after a win. Meanwhile, under Jason Garrett, the COwboys are just 26-40 ATS at home and 5-13 ATS at home off a home gaem. Take the Saints.