Giants vs. Cowboys Betting Odds & Predictions: Can Big Blue Keep It Close?

Giants at Cowboys Betting Odds

• Odds: Cowboys -7.5
• Total: 45.5
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: FOX

All odds above are as of 3 p.m. ET on Thursday and via PointsBet.

Ezekiel Elliott will be in uniform on Sunday as the Dallas Cowboys take the field to take on their NFC East rival, the New York Giants.

The Cowboys are 7.5-point favorites over Eli Manning and Big Blue and the big spread isn't scaring off many bettors as Dallas is attracting nearly 60% of the tickets as of Thursday evening. Let's take a look at the key matchups in this divisional showdown and how our experts are betting it.

Giants-Cowboys Injury Report

Both teams are healthy entering their first game of the year. Amari Cooper (foot) got in a full practice on Wednesday and should be good to go barring any setbacks. Guard Zack Martin (back) was limited on Wednesday, but he’s expected to play.

The Giants will be without Golden Tate (suspension), leaving Sterling Shepard to run around in the slot and avoid Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuzie on the outside, at least some of the time. — Justin Bailey

Note: Info as of Thursday. See our Injury Report for daily practice participation and game statuses up until kickoff.

Sean Koerner's Projected Odds

• Projected Spread: Cowboys -7.5
• Projected Total: 45.5

I am right in line with the spread and total here, so staying away. — Sean Koerner

Biggest Mismatch

The Dallas Run Game vs. the Giants Run Defense

The Cowboys' offensive line returns to full strength with center Travis Frederick recovered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome and tackle La’el Collins just signed to a five-year extension. Dallas’ front five rank as the NFL’s second-best group as per Pro Football Focus, ranking only behind the Philadelphia Eagles.

This will be a problem for a Giants team that ranked 20th in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA and allowed 118.6 rushing yards per game last season.

The Giants were particularly poor against the NFL’s best rushers, allowing massive efficiency to Alvin Kamara (5.3 yards per carry), Adrian Peterson (5.5 YPC) and Derrick Henry (5.5 YPC).

Elliott has averaged 85 rushing yards in his four career games against the Giants, including more than 100 yards in two of the last three contests. Per PlayerProfiler, Elliott ranked first among all running backs with 23 Breakaway Runs of 15 yards or greater.

If the Giants want to earn an upset road win over their biggest rival, they need to find a way to hold their own against the massive Dallas offensive line. — Mike Randle

Expert Pick

Danny Donahue: Giants +7.5

Week 1 presents a great opportunity for bettors looking to take advantage of the public's overreaction to the previous season. Teams that made the playoffs tend to be overvalued the following year, and teams that struggled to put together wins are written off.

So when you get a first-week matchup consisting of one of each, it's been very profitable to take the uncomfortable side. Specifically, teams coming off a season of six wins or fewer have gone 82-58-4 the following Week 1, and 36-20 against teams coming off a playoff year.

In divisional matchups, that record improves to 20-4.