Every NFL postseason is the same in that there are a few teams who go into the playoffs knowing that anything less than a Super Bowl win will be considered a disappointment, while a few others are basically playing with house money. The teams that fall into the latter category tend to be those that got in by the skin of their teeth via the Wild Card. This is not to say that one of those teams can’t go on and win it all, but a look at the NFL betting odds prior to the start of the postseason will show that they are very much a longshot.
One of those teams this season is the Dallas Cowboys. No, they were not a Wild Card team, but they were very much a team that looked to be totally out of it at the midway point of the season. The fact that they have essentially been playing must-win ball since that point seems to have served them well, as they are now into the NFC Divisional Round. Next up are the LA Rams, a team very much among the favorites to win it all. The Rams are a 6 ½ point home favorite, with the point total set at 49.
Cowboys vs Rams NFC Divisional Round Betting Odds & Pick
Go behind the scenes and inside the #DallasCowboys locker room to hear Coach Garrett’s postgame speech Saturday night after winning against the Seahawks in the Wild Card Round. #FinishThisFight pic.twitter.com/kz3O34xVQD
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) 7 de enero de 2019
- When: Saturday, January 12 at 8:15 PM EST
- Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, LA
- TV: FOX
- Radio: SiriusXM/NFL
- Live Stream: NFL League Pass
- 2018 Divisional Round Betting Odds: Los Angeles Rams -6.5 (Total 49)
Colts vs Chiefs AFC Divisional Round Odds & Game Preview
Weather Forecast
- Mostly Cloudy: 13°C/56°F
- Humidity: 86%
- Precipitation: 5%
- Cloud Cover: 71%
- Wind: 2 mph SSE
- Stadium Type: Open
Why bet on the Dallas Cowboys?
After 9 games of the season, the Cowboys were sitting at just 4-5 and struggling to get anything going on the offensive side of the football. The playoffs looked like a longshot and talk of a potential coaching change were afoot. What a difference a couple of months makes, though, as the Cowboys have gone 7-1 since then, which includes a thrilling 24-22 win over the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Game over the weekend.
This is a team that has also been a very good bet against the spread, going a solid 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games. While the trip to LA looks to be a tough one, it is worth noting that Dallas has gone 4-1 SU and ATS in their last 5 trips there.
Team Stats
Offense- Average Score For: 21.35
- Total Yards: 345.94
- Rush Yards: 125.18
- Passing Yards: 220.76
- Average Score Against: 20.35
- Total Yards: 327.47
- Rush Yards: 93.29
- Passing Yards: 234.18
Why bet on the LA Rams?
Make no mistake about it, this was a team that was built to win the Super Bowl this season. The Rams brass spent a lot of money to bring in the talent that they felt could put them over the top, and with a 13-3 regular season record, it certainly looks like money well spent.
That said, the later stages of the season were not as impressive as the early part, with back to back losses to the Bears and the Eagles leading to some folks beginning to have doubts about this team. They finished out the season with a pair of dominant wins, though, so all appears to be well. The Rams were 7-1 SU at home this season, although just 3-3-2 ATS in those games.
Team Stats
Offense- Average Score For: 32.94
- Total Yards: 421.00
- Rush Yards: 139.44
- Passing Yards: 281.56
- Average Score Against: 24.00
- Total Yards: 358.56
- Rush Yards: 122.31
- Passing Yards: 236.25
Cowboys vs Rams NFC Divisional Round Betting Trends
- Dallas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Rams
- Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing LA Rams
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Dallas’s last 12 games on the road
- LA is 1-3-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- LA is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Rams’s last 7 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Cowboys vs Rams
The Cowboys have been a great story in the second half of the season, and while they already have a playoff win to their name, I think it all comes to an end here. I like the Rams to wear the Cowboys down and pull away late in this one.
Score: Dallas Cowboys 21 – LA Rams 33
