The biggest star of the NFL’s opening week of the preseason was Cowboys fourth-round rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, a former Mississippi State star. Has Prescott solved the Cowboys’ backup quarterback situation or was he a fluke? We may find out Friday night as the Cowboys host the Miami Dolphins in a nationally televised game. Dallas is favored on NFL odds.
Taking a Quick Look at the Miami at Dallas Preseason Week 2 Free Pick, Odds & TV Info
It’s a wrap in Oxnard but you’ll never guess who won the final competition of #CowboysCamphttps://t.co/6V71JRAdAo
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 18, 2016
When: Friday, Aug. 19, 8 PM ET
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: NFL Network
Stream: NFL.com
Radio: Miami / Dallas
Opening NFL Lines: Cowboys -3.5 (40.5)
Miami vs Dallas Historic Betting Trends
This will be the 10th all-time preseason meeting between the two teams with the Cowboys holding a 6-3 edge. The Dolphins won the last preseason meeting, defeating Dallas 25-20 on Aug. 23, 2014. Miami hosted Dallas in Week 11 last regular season and lost 24-14. Tony Romo returned after missing more than two months with a broken collarbone and threw for two touchdowns. Dallas snapped a seven-game losing streak, their longest in a single season since 1989. Romo went 18 for 28 for 227 yards and overcame two interceptions by throwing touchdown passes of 31 yards to Terrance Williams and 16 yards to Dez Bryant. The Dolphins had the ball for only 21 minutes and went 1 for 10 on third-down conversions. Ryan Tannehill was just 13-for- 24 for 188 yards, two TDs and a pick.
Why Bet on Miami?
The Dolphins looked good in their preseason debut last week in winning 27-10 at the Giants. Tannehill finished 2 of 4 for 8 yards. Matt Moore was 10 of 14 for 122 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Doughty, the seventh-round pick from Western Kentucky, finished up and looked good, hitting 7 of 9 for 66 yards. Leonte Carroo, the former Rutgers star who was Miami’s third-round pick, had three catches for 18 yards.
Running back Arian Foster didn’t play for Miami but is likely to make his Dolphins debut on Friday. He was released by Houston this offseason and signed a few weeks ago by the Dolphins, who lost top running back Lamar Miller to, ironically, Houston this offseason. Foster actually ranks third in NFL history in average yards per scrimmage at 115.0 ypg. Foster trails only Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Barry Sanders.
“Right now I’m pretty sure he’s going to go unless I change my mind for some reason,” Coach Adam Gase said. “I want to see him get in there with that first group and get him a little feel for how we operate.”
No. 2 WR DeVante Parker also sat out the preseason opener, but he appears on track to be in the lineup against the Cowboys as well.
Why Bet on Dallas?
Romo didn’t play last week for Dallas in the Cowboys’ 28-24 loss at the Los Angeles Rams. Prescott showed exceptional poise and composure directing the Cowboys’ offense to 17 points on three scoring drives while completing 10 of 12 passes for 139 yards. At least for one day, Prescott outplayed the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, the Rams’ Jared Goff, and lent credence to the small circle of draft analysts who insisted that the former Mississippi State star was more pro-ready than expected.
Romo will play here but probably not much. Typically, Romo has sat out the first preseason game and then played only a couple of series in Week 2 before getting a full half in the third game. Nearly all of the starters sit out the fourth and final preseason game. It’s not clear if No. 4 overall pick Ezekiel Elliott will play. The running back from Ohio State returned to practice this week off a hamstring injury and sat out vs. the Rams. Elliott said standing on the sidelines for last week’s preseason opener was harder than he expected, but made him anxious to return.
“I haven’t missed any games in college. That was my first time being on the sideline and watching my team play,” Elliott said. “
It’s more likely that Elliott doesn’t play until next week.
My Free Pick
Hey, I’ll ride the Prescott train for now. Give the points on NFL odds and go under.
