Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys vs. the Las Vegas Insiders

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Vegas did not move their line on the Dallas Cowboys after Tony Romo fell, almost as if it was predicted. Despite this, their over/under is 8.5 wins this year.

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett prepares to face the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys defeat the Dolphins 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The National Football League has been in the forefront of the gambling scene for many years. There are more bets placed on NFL games than any other sport in the United States. In fact, the only sport that compares in this field is English Premier League Soccer.

The West Ham United Football Club, among others, have had different betting companies be the named sponsor on their teams’ jerseys for years. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would be wise to look into this further, expanding the brand worldwide.

More and more, Las Vegas Insiders are consulted for tips on games across the world of sports. Because of this, more in the media have been using their lines to make predictions for their listeners. The line between betting public and media is blurring and people are putting money down in record numbers. The Cowboys are one of the big question marks for Vegas this year.

Vegas did not move their line on the Cowboys after quarterback Tony Romo fell, almost as if it was predicted. Regardless of this, the win/loss line for Dallas this year is 8.5 games. This means the betting public has to decide between an eight-or-lower win season, or a nine-or-better win campaign.

While hope always springs eternal, let us see what this fall has in store for The Silver and Blue. The Vegas lines, according to FootballLocks.com, will be in parenthesis.

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) scores the game winning touchdown as New York Giants linebacker Uani

The Cowboys have a favorable schedule this year, however nothing is ever certain in the NFC East. Ever.

Dallas begins the season with two consecutive division games; Sunday, September 11th, with the New York Giants and Week Two at the Washington Redskins. The rest are scattered after the Week Seven bye. Despite the work Dallas has done on the offense, the defense is still in question; especially in the first four weeks.

The Giants (8.5 games) are in a similar situation to the Cowboys and the Redskins (7.5 games) have made improvements, but how many? The Eagles (6.5 games) seem to be in rebuilding mode, and will struggle this year.

Historically, it seems like anything can happen in the NFC East. Because of this, anything above a 3-3 division record is a success. I must be overly optimistic; I do believe the Cowboys to split the games with the Giants, based on offenses alone.

Expect a load of points to be scored on both sides, especially with quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. on the other side. The defense of the Redskins is better than that of the Giants, especially with the addition of cornerback Josh Norman. I would hate a season split, but I hate the Redskins more, so I hope for a sweep here.

As for the Eagles, I do expect to win both games in this fight. With so many questions around starting quarterback, and the lack of defense head coach Doug Petersen has been inherited, this may not be as tough as it sounds.

However, Philly does get particularly nasty when playing Dallas. Doing the math, this makes Dallas 4-2 in the division, and probably battling New York for the crown.

Sep 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate a score by running back Daryl Richardson (38) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers finish the pre-season with a win 18-6 over the Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas has the task of battling the AFC North, including long time rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Dallas squad battles the Cincinnati Bengals (9.5 games) at home in Week Five. Then, after the bye week, they face the rest of the AFC North in three consecutive weeks, including away games in Pittsburgh (10.5 games) and Cleveland (5 games). None of these games will be easy, but they will be fun to watch.

Many pundits are looking at Pittsburgh to wave the AFC banner in the Super Bowl, and with the history between these teams, this Week Eleven battle will be epic. Both teams have offenses that can break records. Both teams had questionable defenses. Expect this game to 28-27 or higher.

Cincinnati is no cake walk. Even though their offense is not as prolific as Pittsburgh’s, it is still dangerous. Their defense is better, and will win the team games. Dallas may lose, but expect a fight.

Cleveland is in perpetual rebuilding mode, but the squad under new head coach Hue Jackson will be scrappy.

The Baltimore Ravens (8.5 games) have been oddly quiet the off-season, but will be tough, as every John Harbaugh team ever. If Dallas comes out of these games with a 2-2 record, they have played well.

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The remaining six games include two battles with NFC rivals; the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.

Week four has Dallas on the road versus the 49ers ( 5.5 games). With all the recent turmoil surrounding the team, many are expecting them to be the worst team in the league. Expect this one to be fairly easy.

Week Six in Green Bay versus the Packers (11 Games) however, is expected to be the toughest game on the schedule. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers seems to always have tricks up his sleeve, especially at Lambeau. Even though it will be a battle, expect a Dallas loss here.

The remaining games are against the Chicago Bears (7.5 games), at the Minnesota Vikings (9 games), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7.5 games) and at home with the Detroit Lions (7 games). I have these games grouped together because I think Vegas is wrong on these games.

Take the under on all four teams, but watch out for Tampa. Covering both quarterback Jameis Winston and wide receiver Mike Evans will be a task. Expect a toughly fought 3-1 record here.

In closing, the Dallas 2016 season can be above nine wins, possibly even ten, as I have projected here. I am in the minority in projecting such a high win total, but I am linking back to the Vegas line not moving when Romo went down.

Some Insiders have faith in the Dallas offense overcoming the odds, even with rookie quarterback Dak Prescott under center. I agree. As long as the Cowboys defense is not a sieve, they stand a good chance of making the NFC playoffs.