The Atlanta Falcons (0-2) and Dallas Cowboys (0-2) face off in Week 3 of NFL preseason on Friday, Aug. 21. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Cowboys vs Falcons game will broadcast on NFL Network.
The Cowboys are favored by -2.5 with the over/under set at 36.5 total points. Dallas is a -139 favorite to win outright, while Atlanta is +118 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cowboys vs Falcons predictions and NFL picks for Friday, August 22.
My Falcons vs Cowboys Prediction
- Falcons vs Cowboys pick: Under 36.5 (-109) – Threshold: Under 35.5
My Falcons vs Cowboys best bet is on the under, with the best price currently available at Caesars. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Falcons vs Cowboys Odds
| Falcons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 35.5 -115o / -105u | +122 |
| Cowboys Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 35.5 -115o / -105u | -145 |
Falcons vs Cowboys Preview, Preseason Prediction
Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview: From the Street to the Gridiron
If you're looking to see star players, then Friday's Falcons vs Cowboys game might not be for you.
Neither the Falcons nor the Cowboys have started their first-string quarterback this preseason — that certainly won't be changing as we head into this final game before the regular season.
Atlanta hasn't given Michael Penix Jr or Kirk Cousins a single snap in preseason and both have already been ruled out. The Falcons have used both Easton Stick and Emory Jones over the past two weeks, but have waived Jones. Needing depth at QB, they added Ben DiNucci, who's likely to receive solid playing time against his former team.
We're going to see the Falcons rest all their big names and with real quality absent from the field and the team relying on Stick, who has thrown two touchdowns with one turnover this preseason, they're not likely to put up much of a fight.
Dallas Cowboys Betting Preview: Being Cautious
Like Raheem Morris in Atlanta, we've seen Brian Schottenheimer keep his quarterback out of preseason.
Given that Dak Prescott missed nine games last season and hasn't played in a live game since November, that seems like a very smart idea. Facing the Dallas defense every day and the scrimmage with the Rams is enough for the veteran.
Schottenheimer continued, saying, "If you play your quarterback, you’re playing everybody because you’re going to play your left tackle, you’re going to play your left guard, you’re going to play your starting receivers."
Falcons vs Cowboys Prediction, Betting Analysis
With all of that in mind, we're unlikely to see any Cowboys first-stringers on Friday.
Combine that with the lack of talent starting for Atlanta and we should see a low-scoring game. Atlanta has scored just 30 points in two games so far, while the Cowboys have racked up 34.
This game might matter to those on the roster bubble, but to everyone else, it's a game to get through unscathed. Back the Under.
Pick: Under 36.5 (-109)
Spread
I have no bet on either side of the spread.
Moneyline
I have no bet for either side of the moneyline.
Over/Under
With this game likely being riddled with backups and third-stringers, I expect this to be a low-scoring duel.
My Pick: Under 36.5 (-109)
