Dallas Cowboys Betting Odds

Last Updated on October 6, 2026 8:35 am by Tomas

Team Overview

The Dallas Cowboys enter 2026 as the biggest threat to Philadelphia in the NFC East. Dallas finished 2025 at 7-10, but the record does not tell the entire story. Brian Schottenheimer’s first season as head coach produced a 471-point offense, with Dak Prescott throwing for more than 30 touchdowns and the Cowboys continuing to possess one of the league’s most dangerous offensive groups. The problem was almost entirely on defense. Dallas allowed 511 points in 2025, one of the worst defensive performances in NFL history. The organization responded aggressively during the offseason, acquiring pass rusher Rashan Gary, signing safety Jalen Thompson and selecting safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round. Quinnen Williams remains the centerpiece of the defensive interior. If the defense can simply move from historically bad toward league average, Dallas could make one of the largest year-to-year improvements in the NFL.

Offensive Line Analysis

Dallas’ offensive line enters 2026 with considerable talent but also some uncertainty. Tyler Smith, Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker and Terence Steele give the Cowboys an athletic group with several young players capable of becoming long-term starters. The challenge is consistency. Dak Prescott remains one of the league’s more experienced quarterbacks, but Dallas needs to keep him upright and create enough rushing lanes for Javonte Williams and the running game to prevent the offense from becoming one-dimensional. The Cowboys’ offensive ceiling remains extremely high because of Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but the line must provide enough protection for the passing game to remain among the league’s most efficient attacks.

Defensive Line Analysis

This is the biggest story on the entire Dallas roster. The Cowboys’ defense was one of the worst in the NFL in 2025, so the organization essentially rebuilt the unit. Rashan Gary arrives from Green Bay to provide a legitimate edge threat, while Quinnen Williams gives Dallas a dominant interior presence. The Cowboys also added Malachi Lawrence in the first round and Caleb Downs to a secondary that was strengthened by Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant. The team is transitioning into a new defensive structure, so there is some risk that the group takes time to gel. But if Gary can provide consistent pressure and Williams forces double teams inside, Dallas should be dramatically better than last season.

2026 NFL Season

Week 1

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants | Sunday, September 13 | 8:20 PM ET | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Dallas opens the season on Sunday Night Football against the Giants. NFL.com confirms this is the Week 1 finale, with the Cowboys traveling to New York.

The latest Week 1 market has Dallas around -2.5, with the Cowboys approximately -130 on the moneyline, New York around +110, and the total around 48.5.

This is a very interesting betting matchup because Dallas’ biggest offseason improvement — the defense — immediately faces a Giants offense built around Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers and a new John Harbaugh-led system.

The Cowboys should have the more explosive passing offense, but the Giants have home field and a defense with enough pass-rushing talent to make this uncomfortable.

Prediction: Cowboys ML (-130), Cowboys -2.5. Projected score: Dallas 27, New York 23.

Best betting angle: Cowboys ML.

Week 1 Recap

Dallas started the season with one of the worst possible results: a 28-20 loss to the New York Giants.

The Cowboys entered the season with legitimate expectations after an offseason defensive makeover, but the defense could not prevent Jaxson Dart and the Giants from producing enough offense to win.

The most concerning element is that Dallas had opportunities to take control but repeatedly allowed New York to remain in the game.

This doesn’t mean the Cowboys are suddenly a bad team.

But it does mean the new-look defense has to prove itself quickly.

Week 2

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys | Sunday, September 20

Dallas is an early 4.5-point favorite, with the total around 49.5.

This is already shaping up as a potential bounce-back spot.

Washington lost to Philadelphia by only two points, while Dallas lost to the Giants.

The market is still giving Dallas significant respect because of its preseason expectations.

Betting angle: Dallas -4.5 is attractive only if you believe the Giants game was an early-season anomaly. Otherwise, Washington +4.5 offers value because the Commanders already showed they can stay competitive against a division contender.

Week 2 Recap

The Dallas Cowboys responded to their Week 1 loss to the Giants with a much stronger performance, defeating Washington 37-20.

Dak Prescott was particularly effective, throwing four touchdown passes while completing 26 of 31 attempts.

The Cowboys’ offense controlled the game for long stretches, providing a much-needed response after the 28-20 loss to New York.

The defensive questions remain, however.

Washington was able to generate significant offensive production during parts of the game, and Dallas now faces a much more difficult test.

Week 3

Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys | Sunday, September 27

Baltimore is currently around -2.5, with a very high total of 52.5.

This is one of the most interesting games on the Week 3 schedule.

Dallas is coming off a 37-point performance, while Baltimore has one of the league’s most dynamic offenses.

The game will also be played in Brazil, making it part of the NFL’s international schedule.

The biggest question for Dallas is whether its defense can contain Lamar Jackson.

Betting angle: Ravens -2.5 is the current number, while the 52.5 total indicates that sportsbooks expect a high-scoring matchup.

Week 3 Recap

The Dallas Cowboys lost a dramatic international game to the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 in Rio de Janeiro.

Dallas kept the game competitive throughout, but Baltimore won with a late field goal after Lamar Jackson helped put the Ravens in position during the final seconds.

The Cowboys’ offense again produced points, but the defense remains a major concern.

Dallas has now scored 28, 37 and 31 points in its three games, but has allowed 28, 20 and 34.

The Cowboys are now 1-2 and need to find more consistency defensively.

Week 4

Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans | Sunday, October 4

Houston is currently around -2.5, with the total around 47.5.

Dallas now faces another difficult matchup against a Houston team that can create pressure and force opposing offenses into difficult situations.

The Cowboys’ ability to protect Dak Prescott and keep the offense productive will be critical.

Betting angle: Texans -2.5 is a relatively small home spread. Given Dallas’ ability to score, the total of 47.5 is also worth watching.

Week 4 Review

The Dallas Cowboys moved back to 2-2 after defeating the Houston Texans 34-30 in Week 4.

Dallas entered the game as an underdog but produced a huge second half offensively.

CeeDee Lamb was the difference-maker. According to NFL.com, Lamb finished with 17 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown, including 11 catches for 140 yards and a score in the second half. Dallas scored touchdowns on four of its five second-half drives.

The win keeps Dallas within striking distance in the NFC East and gives the team some momentum after losing to Chicago in Week 3.

Week 5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys | Thursday, October 8

Dallas is currently around -10, with the total around 47.5.

This is the first Week 5 game and one of the biggest spreads involving an NFC East team.

Tampa Bay enters the game at 0-4, while Dallas is 2-2. The Cowboys will also have home-field advantage.

Betting angle: The biggest question is whether Dallas can win by double digits. The Cowboys have already shown they can produce explosive offense, but their defense has also allowed opponents to score consistently.

The total of 47.5 may be particularly interesting given Dallas’ offensive performance against Houston and Tampa Bay’s 0-4 record.

Odds to Win Division and Super Bowl

Odds to Win NFC East: +235

Odds to Win Super Bowl: +2500

Win Total: 9.5 — Over +115 / Under -140

 Predictions

Overall Record: Dallas projects around 10-7, with a realistic range of 9-8 to 11-6.

Playoff Chances: Very much alive. DraftKings had Dallas at approximately +105 to make the playoffs in CBS Sports’ July market.

Super Bowl Chances: Interesting dark horse. The offense is already good enough; the defense is the variable.

Dallas is the team I would watch most closely for a massive improvement. A 7-10 team with a 471-point offense is a completely different proposition from a 7-10 team that simply cannot score. If the defense moves from disastrous to merely average, Dallas can win 10 or 11 games.

The biggest danger is assuming that defensive additions automatically translate into defensive production. The Cowboys are changing scheme and personnel simultaneously, so there will be an adjustment period.

Betting Verdict: Over 9.5 is expensive but playable; +235 division is more interesting.