Oakland Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys Predictions, Picks, Odds and Betting Preview – 2017 NFL Preseason Week Three

Oakland Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys Preview

Where: AT&T Stadium – Arlington, TX

When: Saturday, August 26, 2017 – 8:00 PM ET

Line: Oakland Raiders (+3) vs. Dallas Cowboys (-3); total: 44.5 – view all NFL lines

TV Broadcast: FOX

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Betting on the Oakland Raiders (+140)

Point Spread: +3

The young and rising Raiders are now 0-2 in the preseason following the 24-21 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. It’s not a cause for much concern overall, but it’s definitely not looking good for the second unit, especially the defense, as they let Jared Goff and Sean Mannion go a combined 21-for-32 for 292 yards and two touchdowns.

Plenty of starters saw preseason action for the first time on the year, including Derek Carr, Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, and Marshawn Lynch. The latter two played in minimal snaps, while the other three registered good numbers – Carr threw for 100 yards, two TDs, and one pick, Cooper had three catches for 46 yards, and Mack had three solo tackles and one sack.

With the team coming off a short week, it is possible that all five will be very limited – or even sit out – Saturday’s contest, which will leave the Silver and Black in the hands of the suspect bench.

Backup quarterbacks EJ Manuel and Connor Cook have both been given a good amount of playing time in the last two games. The two have played well and mediocre on separate occasions, with Manuel having a 3-for-9 and a 10-for-12 performance and Cook being fresh off a decent 9-for-15, one-TD output after a subpar 10-for-21 in the opener. The results were the same though.

Betting on the Dallas Cowboys (-160)

Point Spread: -3

Including the Hall-of-Fame game, the Cowboys are now 2-1 in the preseason. They just beat the Indianapolis Colts, 24-19, over the weekend, thanks to a strong showing of the offense and the front seven.

Kellen Moore was fairly okay for the most part (10-for-21 for 131 yards), while the other two QBs were almost flawless. Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush avoided all pass rushers and collectively went 15-for-17 for 198 yards and three TDs, two of which came from the latter.

Moore and Rush should again split most of the QB duties, because Prescott, being the rising star and all, can’t be expected to be given heavy minutes in consecutive weeks during the preseason.

Whoever the man is under center will of course continue enjoying the top-notch offensive line of the Cowboys (only allowed two QB hits last week), and a good support from the backfield. Last time out, Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris, and Rod Smith ran for 161 total yards in 25 carries (6.4 YPC).

The defense, on the other hand, should be aiming to improve in defending the pass. In their last three, though they are only giving up 252 yards on 3.6 yards per carry on the ground, they are allowing opposing QBs to complete 66.6 percent of their throws and record 213.3 yards per game.

Writer’s Prediction

The Cowboys (-3) take it, 24-20.

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