The Dallas Cowboys are in some sort of transition, as the last pair of key offensive remnants from the Tony Romo era are now gone following the retirement of Jason Witten and the release of Dez Bryant. The Cowboys are still standing on two legs, with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott forming a dynamic tandem. But will those two young stars be enough to lead the Cowboys into a win over a determined Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers? Read on for a preview of this intense matchup below.
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Betting Preview for the Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers NFL Season Week 1 Game on September 9, 2018
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte NC
When: Sunday, September 9, 2018, 4:25 PM ET
Line: Dallas Cowboys (+3) vs Carolina Panthers (-3) – view all 2018 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Dallas Cowboys (+3 Point Spread)
The Cowboys will resume their hunt for Super Bowl win No. 6 this Sunday on the road in a tough test against Carolina. Dallas, however, is no pushover either, mainly because of the dynamic tag team of quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. Prescott, by now, is clearly the sheriff of Dallas’ offense with the triumvirate of Tony Romo, Jason Witten, and Dez Bryant all gone. The losses of Witten and Bryant leave big holes downfield for the Cowboys, who will now have the likes of newcomer Allen Hurns and holdovers Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley. Hurns is arguably the most dangerous target downfield for Prescott. Hurns only had 484 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 10 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars last year, but he’s got a bug chance to rebound with Prescott as his quarterback.
Hurns and company will have to make plays to take away some of the defensive focus away from Elliott, who will be running behind a sturdy but incomplete offensive line that will kick off the season minus center Travis Frederick, who is out with an illness. Last season, Elliott rushed for 983 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games.
The Cowboys are 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
Betting on the Carolina Panthers (-3 Point Spread)
The Panthers are looking to elevate their offense this year following the hiring of a new offensive coordinator in Norv Turner. Turner inherits Carolina’s offense that ranked 11th in scoring and 16th in total yards per game. Turner will also have a talented quarterback in Cam Newton to work with. The dual-threat ability of Newton along with Turner’s creativity should do wonders for Carolina. Carolina also has some new faces on the field on offense, including wide receiver Torrey Smith and D.J. Moore. The two will join Carolina’s receiving corps that also have the returning Devin Funchess and tight end Greg Olsen. Perhaps the most exciting player to watch out for this season for Carolina is do-it-all running back Christian McCaffrey, who is now the No. 1 running back of the team following the departure of Jonathan Stewart.
A Carolina front seven with an intact core should pose plenty of problems for Dallas’ offense. Last season, the Panthers were ninth in total defense and third against the run to go with a third-ranked 8.04 opposing quarterback sack percentage.
The Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Carolina wins, 24-21.
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