The Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) and New York Giants (3-13) will square off in NFL Week 18 on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey is set for 1:00 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on FOX.
The Cowboys are 3-point favorites over the Giants on the spread, with the over/under is set at 49.5 total points. Dallas is a -170 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while New York is +140 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cowboys vs Giants predictions and NFL picks for Sunday, January 4.
Cowboys vs Giants Picks, Prediction
- Cowboys vs Giants pick: Giants +3 (-110)
My Giants vs. Cowboys best bet is on New York to cover the spread at +3, with the best price currently available at bet365. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Odds
| Cowboys Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | -170 |
| Giants Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | +140 |
Cowboys vs Giants Preview for NFL Week 18
This is a classic late-season spot where the motivation and underlying numbers make the underdog the valuable side.
The Giants officially have nothing to play for, but there's no reason to believe that the Cowboys will be any more invested.
Dallas is talking about finishing the season strong, but history shows teams “trying” in Week 18 rarely deliver the result the market expects.
I make this spread closer to Cowboys -2.5, so getting more than a field goal at home with the Giants is too good to pass up.
Earlier this season, the Giants nearly took down the Cowboys in Dallas, losing by just three in overtime despite being outgunned at quarterback.
Now, the Giants are playing at home in this game, and while the Cowboys say all the right things, there are questions about true intent, especially with Jerry Jones always keeping his eye on the draft and salary cap.
The Cowboys just released Trevon Diggs, and their defense is already weak, especially at corner. Several key players are banged up, and it’s unclear if the Cowboys will go all-out for four quarters.
On the Giants’ side, things have stabilized with Jaxson Dart at quarterback. This team has been underrated for much of the year, and while they’ve found creative ways to lose, they’re not tanking — if they were, Dart wouldn’t be out there running the offense.
Last week against the Raiders, the Giants were out-tanked in a 34-10 win, and the Dallas defense isn’t much better than Vegas’ at this stage.
Cowboys vs Giants Best Bets, Analysis
Digging deeper, Week 18 underdogs facing favorites with win percentages just 10-33% higher are 16-4 (80%) against the spread (ATS) in recent years.
Small sample, but it highlights how these “should-win” spots often turn ugly for favorites.
If you’re looking for action on Sunday, the Giants plus the points is the sharp side.
I don’t expect a pretty game, but given the injuries, lack of motivation, and shaky defenses, the value is with New York in this spot.
Cowboys vs Giants Betting Prediction
- Giants +3 (-110)
For the latest on NFL injuries, be sure to check out our NFL Injury Report page.
