Cowboys Face Letdown Risk Against Cardinals in Week 8
Dallas is favored but has struggled as a favorite, while Arizona has a history of upsetting opponents.
The Dallas Cowboys are in a potential letdown spot entering their Week 8 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, according to predictions and betting analysis. Fresh off a decisive road victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys are now a touchdown favorite at home against a Cardinals team that has already played spoiler twice this season.
The Cardinals have secured outright wins against the Chargers and the Rams, with both upsets occurring on the road. Arizona holds a 3-4 record against the spread (ATS) this season and has kept games close even against stronger opponents, including a narrow loss to the San Francisco 49ers. In contrast, the Cowboys are 4-3 ATS but have a 2-3 record when favored, indicating a tendency to underperform when expected to win convincingly.
Central to Dallas's struggles as a favorite is its defense, which has ranked among the league's worst. The unit is 27th in the NFL in drives ending with an offensive score allowed and 31st in penalty yards. Furthermore, their run defense has been particularly vulnerable, surrendering the most yards per game in the league. This weakness could be exploited by the Cardinals, especially with the expected return of rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, who aims to bolster Arizona's ground game.
Despite their defensive shortcomings, the Cardinals, under quarterback Jacoby Brissett, have shown an ability to remain competitive. While their defense may not be enough to secure a victory, their offense has been sufficient to keep games within reach. Betting analysts suggest that the Cardinals' ability to stay within the 7-point spread is a viable wager for Sunday's game.
The prediction favors the Cardinals to cover the +7 point spread, with odds of -112 available on Bet365.