Dallas at Arizona Betting Preview/Week 1 NFL Preseason Picks
13 August 2021
Dallas has a very disappointing 2020 season, and the first game of the preseason didn't go well either. The Cowboys suffered a 16-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they do have an advantage of already having some game experience.
Arizona looked to be a playoff team for much of 2020, but the Cardinals fell apart at the end of the season. The Cardinals come into 2021 with some optimism, and this will be the first time to show off some new talent on the field.
The Arizona Cardinals are 1.5-point favorites over the Dallas Cowboys in this NFC matchup on Friday night.
Cowboys Looking For Consistency
The Cowboys looked great at times during the 2020 season, but they also completely fell apart in some other games. Consistency will be a major key for the Cowboys in 2021, but this team also needs to find a way to avoid major injuries.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is still trying to make his way back from a gruesome injury in 2020, and don't expect to see him much in this game. There will be some starters on the field for Dallas, including running back Ezekiel Elliot, and the Cowboys should be able to score.
The Cowboys' defense played well in the preseason opener, holding the Steelers to just 16 points. Dallas will need a similar performance in this game if they want to pick up their first win.
Defense Needed in the Desert
The Arizona Cardinals have the potential to be a great offensive team this season, although much of the stars won't see much action in this game. Quarterback Kyler Murray could play a series or two, but he should be ready to go when the season begins.
Defense is going to be a major area of concern for the Cardinals, but they have tried to improve this unit in the offseason. Linebacker J.J. Watt should be a huge addition to the defense, and that could take some pressure off of the offense.
Playing at home on Friday night should be an advantage to the Cardinals, but it's not going to be as important as it would be in the regular season. Arizona is simply looking for some of the role players to perform well and earn a roster spot.
Dallas Does the Job
Dallas has a big advantage in this game as they have already shaken off some of the rust from a year ago. The preseason games are usually be decided by small factors such as these, especially in a game that feels evenly matched.
Both teams are going to be competing for a playoff spot this season, and this could be a potential playoff preview in the AFC. This game should feature plenty of points as Arizona always wants to play fast.
Look for this to be a close game, but Dallas is going to find a way to pick up a big win to move to 1-1 this preseason. Bet the Dallas Cowboys +1.5 as they defeat the Arizona Cardinals on Friday night.
Here are all of Dunkel's picks for Week 1 of the preseason:
August 12
Washington at New England
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 122.686; New England 118.759
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 4; 31
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 2; 35
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-2); Under
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 126.588; Philadelphia 116.141
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 10 ½; 37
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1; 34
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+1); Over
August 13
Tennessee at Atlanta
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 120.216; Atlanta 115.249
Dunkel Line & Total: Tennessee by 5; 41
Vegas Line & Total: Tennessee by 1; 38
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-1); Over
Buffalo at Detroit
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 119.853; Detroit 120.452
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 34
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo by 2; 37
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+2); Under
Dallas at Arizona
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 119.908; Arizona 115.461
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 4 ½; 44
Vegas Line & Total: Arizona by 1 ½; 40
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+1 ½); Over
August 14
Miami at Chicago
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 118.156; Chicago 123.830
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 5 ½; 30
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 3 ½; 34 ½
Pick: Chicago (-3 ½); Under
Denver at Minnesota
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 124.297; Minnesota 120.951
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 3 ½; 28
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 1 ½; 34
Dunkel Pick: Denver (+1 ½); Under
New Orleans at Baltimore
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 122.816; Baltimore 131.788
Dunkel Line & Total: Baltimore by 9; 38
Vegas Line & Total: Baltimore by 2 ½; 35 ½
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-2 ½); Over
Cleveland at Jacksonville
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 112.215; Jacksonville 116.760
Dunkel Line & Total: Jacksonville by 4 ½; 42
Vegas Line & Total: Jacksonville by 1; 37 ½
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville (-1); Over
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 119.141; Tampa Bay 121.015
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 2; 31
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 6; 33
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+6); Under
NY Jets at NY Giants
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: NY Jets 122.813; NY Giants 120.164
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Jets by 2 ½; 51
Vegas Line & Total: NY Giants by 2; 35
Dunkel Pick: NY Jets (+2); Over
Houston at Green Bay
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 109.334; Green Bay 122.919
Dunkel Line & Total: Green Bay by 13; 30
Vegas Line & Total: Green Bay by 3; 33 ½
Dunkel Pick: Green Bay (-3); Under
Kansas City at San Francisco
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City 122.369; San Francisco 120.916
Dunkel Line & Total: Kansas City by 1 ½; 32
Vegas Line & Total: San Francisco by 2 ½; 36 ½
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+2 ½); Under
Seattle at Las Vegas
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 123.835; Las Vegas 121.797
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 2; 40
Vegas Line & Total: Las Vegas by 1; 37 ½
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+1); Over
LA Chargers at LA Rams
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: LA Chargers 114.735; LA Rams 120.513
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Rams by 6; 26
Vegas Line & Total: LA Chargers by 3 ½; 35
Dunkel Pick: LA Rams (+3 ½); Under
August 15
Carolina at Indianapolis
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 122.309; Indianapolis 120.286
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 2; 36
Vegas Line & Total: Indianapolis by 1 ½; 34
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+1 ½); Over
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