The Week 2 encounter will see two unbeaten sides battling it out as the New Orleans Saints will be away to face the Dallas Cowboys in an eagerly awaited fixture. Both teams have had impressive season openers and will look to extend their victories at the famous AT&T Stadium this Sunday. So, with the game expected to start at 1:00 PM ET and be aired on FOX, fans are in for a great game. For those looking for no-cost football picks, this match is buzzing with the information and stories to guide your wagering choices.
New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys 9/15/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | AT&T Stadium |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
New Orleans Saints (1-0) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
The New Orleans Saints went into this game beating Carolina in their previous match by a stunning 47-10 and having a balanced attack. Running back Alvin Kamara immediately made his presence felt with 83 yards and a touchdown; his elusiveness was too great for the defense. Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed’s contributions included one 59-yard reception demonstrating his ability to change the game. The Saints have been on an upward trajectory, winning 4 and losing just one of their last 5 games against Atlanta and Tampa, strengthening their offense and controlling the game effectively.
On the other hand, the Dallas Cowboys had also kicked off their season by beating Cleveland 33-17. The team has an excellent record for home games, winning 16 out of their last 17 at the AT&T Stadium. The offensive formation of the opener largely depended on running back Ezekiel Elliott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Elliott was more of a sustaining factor than a playmaker, and Lamb proved a reliable quarterback target with his ability to catch the ball in traffic. The ability of the Dallas team to win closely contested matches like against Washington and Detroit, where they had to endure pressure, shows that the team doesn’t shy away, especially when playing at home.
Derek Carr QB vs. Dak Prescott QB
In the inaugural match of the Saints, quarterback Derek Carr shone in his work, scoring 82.6%, with 200 passing yards and three touchdown throws. Carr also showed a passer rating of 142.5; he was accurate on his throws and made smart decisions. Such a level of ball distribution coupled with turn-downs makes the Saints’ offensive unity very optimistic in terms of outsmarting the opponents via their air game.
On the flip side, Dak Prescott of the Cowboys had a rather up-and-down night as he went 59.4% for 179 yards. However, he didn’t throw any interceptions, but then again, he got sacked three times, and this might be an issue with the Saints’ fired-up defense. Yet, one cannot overlook Prescott’s experience and determination he’s a leader, and whenever the Cowboys badly needed to win, he stood up and led from the front.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Dallas Cowboys -6.5 (-110), Total Odds: 44.5
The betting odds favor the Cowboys by 6.5 points, reflecting their strong home performance and historical advantage at AT&T Stadium. However, the Saints’ recent form and their success against the Cowboys in past encounters (10-4 SU in their last 14 games) present a compelling case for a closer contest than the spread suggests.
New Orleans Saints Betting Trends
The Saints have been a solid bet against the spread, going 5-1 ATS in their last six games. Their ability to perform well under pressure and their offensive consistency make them a dangerous underdog, particularly with Carr’s current form. Their trend of going UNDER in total points in 13 of the last 20 games suggests a strong defensive performance could be key in keeping this game tight.
Dallas Cowboys Betting Trends
While the Cowboys are formidable at home, their recent ATS record (2-4 in their last six games) indicates some inconsistency in covering spreads. Their strength in straight-up wins at home is notable, but their performance against the spread against high-caliber teams like the Saints could be less reliable.
New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys 9/15/24 Betting Picks
In both teams’ trends and outcomes recently, a reasonable selection is the Saints covering the +6.5 spread. With Carr at the helm and given their dominant ATS patterns, the Saints can find a way to push the Cowboys to the limit, making it a very close contest, most likely making this a one-score margin win for either team. For overs and under, this will be more of a historical piece than practical as there is a tendency to go UNDER in games played by the said teams.
In Expert premium predictions, the battle will be tight which is where the good defensive structure for the Saints may dethrone the odds on the Cowboys particularly because of Carr and Kamara’s abilities to pass and run the ball effectively.