Cowboys vs Panthers Prediction & NFL Odds for Week 4

• This game will come down to who turns the ball over less.
• Panthers coming out party?
• Zek and Pollard will be key in keeping the Cowboy’s offense going.

When Carolina travels to Arlington Sunday to take on the Cowboys, they will be bringing one of the best defenses along with them. In the NFL, it is known that defenses travel rather you are on the road or at home, and that boats well for this Panthers squad.

So far this season, they rank first in the NFL with a 47.6 pressure percentage. Even without stud rookie corner Jaycee Horn, newly acquired CJ Henderson should fit into this defense like a puzzle, considering his run defense grade of 80.5 this season which plays perfectly into a defense that is the best against the run.

As for the Cowboys, they will be relying on Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard to end Carolina’s streak of holding rushers under 100 yards. Monday against the Eagles, the two combined for 181 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. If they can even get half of that, they would complete that feat.

Betting Odds & Lines for This Game

• Spread: CAR +4.5 (-110) | DAL -4.5 (-110)
• MoneyLine: CAR (+180) | DAL (-215)
• Total: 52.5 Over (-105) | Under (-115)

All odds listed are courtesy of (PointsBet | Caesars | DraftKings | Fanduel | BetRivers)

Cowboys vs Panthers Prediction: Spread

I’m taking the Panthers for the spread, this game will be close to the end, and I don’t think it will be as high scoring as it looks on paper. On one side, you have a top-five offense in the Cowboys, and against them, you have the best defense in the NFL.

On the other hand, the Cowboy’s defense is no slouch either. If Sam Darnold can hook up with DJ Moore and Robby Anderson frequently, they should keep this close. Twenty-one points might win them the ballgame.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys have been much improved from last season. This year they are only giving up 20.3 PA/G, seven points down from last season’s 27.6 PA/G.

A big reason why that defense is succeeding is because of the 12th overall selection Micah Parsons. When DeMarcus Lawrence went down with a fractured foot in their Week 1 contest against the defending champs. Parsons stepped in as a perennial pass rusher in his absence, and it has kept this team afloat.

Parsons’ 36% pass-rush win rate ties Nick Bosa for the highest by a rookie in a single game since 2017. If that high level of play can continue, when Lawrence comes back, the Cowboys will be able to move the young linebacker anywhere, giving them optimal flexibility.

When the Cowboys work together and are efficient on offense and defense, they are one of the best teams. Maintaining that level of play has been the problem, though—That’s why I’m taking Carolina to cover the 4.5.

• Free Prediction: Carolina +4.5

Cowboys vs Panthers Prediction: MoneyLine

When it comes to outright winner, I have to go with the cowboys, especially after that showing on Monday night football. If they can put up more than 30 points, I don’t see the Panthers keeping up with them, and somehow this Cowboys squad will most likely squeak out a win at home.

The Panther’s secondary is a bit banged up, and new additions AJ Bouye and Henderson might not be comfortable with DC Phil Snows scheme just yet, which makes me believe there will be opportunities for Prescott to air it out in this one.

• Free Prediction: DAL (-215)

Cowboys vs Panthers Prediction: Total

It’s tough to say on any given Sunday, but I like the under in this one. Both teams have the offensive capacity to make this a shootout, but this could be a defensive game with both sides looking solid through three weeks.

With the amount of pressure the Panthers produce, Prescott will not be able to stand up in the pocket all day and will be forced outside where anything can happen.

• Free Prediction: Under 52.5

Bet on This NFL Game

Check out this post for a full list of our weekly NFL predictions.

Prop Predictions

• Carolina to score first and lose +260

This prop is probably my favorite for this game. The Panthers typically choose to receive when they win the coin toss and are usually pretty good on game-opening drives. A lot of the Cowboys scoring will come in the second half based on adjustments they will have to make at halftime.

• First-half total under 27 points

These teams don’t play each other often, so chances are the first half will be a feeling-out process for either side. I’m not as confident about this one, but anything can happen considering the firepower on either side. With that being said, I like the under better than the over. 27 points is more than it looks like.

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