New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys Picks and Odds Week 13

New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys Betting Preview

WagerTalk NFL handicapper Tony Mejia offers his New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys NFL Week 13 Thursday Night Football betting preview. At the time of posting, the Cowboys are a 4.5-point road favorite in New Orleans with the total sitting at 47 points.

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New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys Predictions

New Orleans Saints +4.5 vs Dallas Cowboys
Total: 47 Points
The under has cashed in four of Dallas’ last five games.
The Saints are 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 games as an underdog.

Mike McCarthy won’t coach Thursday night’s NFC clash against the Saints due to COVID-19, and you probably won’t have to look hard to catch the addition by subtraction jokes.

Although no one can deny he’s built up a track record of developing teams and getting guys ready to play, there’s also no question in-game decisions and clock management aren’t a strength, so it’s no surprise the betting line hasn’t moved much in the wake of the news that he’d be absent from the sideline. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, formerly head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, will step in and serve as interim head coach.

On the heels of back-to-back losses, Dallas looks to get back on track against the Saints in what will be its fourth nationally-televised primetime game of the season. That doesn’t include that Thanksgiving afternoon game against the Raiders that was the NFL’s most-watched contest since 1990. Whether you love or hate “America’s Team,” there’s no doubt they’re relevant again as they look to finish strong in reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Las Vegas pulled off a 36-33 upset in Arlington last Thursday, but the fact the Eagles can’t throw or catch means Dallas still enjoys a multi-game lead in the NFC East. The opportunity to get right arrives thanks to the team with the longest losing streak in pro football arriving at the Caesars Superdome. New Orleans has dropped four straight contests since its upset of Tampa Bay on Halloween but remains in the thick of the playoff race since 5-6 is currently good enough for the seventh and final spot in the NFC postseason landscape.

Saints head coach Sean Payton’s brilliance has kept his team afloat despite the retirement of Drew Brees and injuries to his successors, Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill. Still, the team completed a winless November by getting blown out in Buffalo on Thanksgiving night after scoring a season-low six points. Trevor Siemian isn’t solely to blame considering the Saints’ lack of weapons with Alvin Kamara injured, but it is expected that Hill will play more of a role since he’s been practicing again after dealing with a foot injury. The need to keep the ball out of Dak Prescott’s hands certainly calls for a ball-control approach from Payton and the Saints.

Hill is expected to start against the Cowboys after opening the week taking first-team reps while Siemian works with the backups. Kamara and Mark Ingram are hopeful to return for this matchup against the Cowboys, who could get back Amari Cooper off the COVID list in time for this contest.

McCarthy told reporters that Cooper still has a lingering cough and was “still not feeling the best” after his bout with the virus, adding that he likely won’t play against New Orleans if he doesn’t practice.

Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb is back from concussion protocol after missing out on the Raiders game and will play. There were whispers that Ezekiel Elliott would be asked to sit out what would be a third game in 12 days in order to get his knee back closer to full strength, but he practiced in full on Monday and is expected to participate.

Kamara and tackle Ryan Ramczyk were limited in Monday’s practice for New Orleans but are expected to be a go come game-time. Both Hill and Ingram worked in full. LT Terron Armstrong and defensive ends Marcus Davenport and Tanoh Kpassagnon were out on Monday, so their availability will be a huge question mark for this one. Getting those guys back up front to keep Prescott from getting comfortable will be a major factor in the Saints potentially pulling off an upset.

Even after disappointing backers with a lifeless offensive effort last Thursday since Buffalo’s defense pitched a shutout through three quarters, the Saints are still 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog. The Cowboys are 5-2 SU/ATS in a favorite’s role.

The total for this one opened at 48 and has been bet down to 47.5, but there may be value in riding the high side indoors since both teams are getting healthier. However, that also may include DeMarcus Lawrence being back in the fold for the ‘Boys, who should also get back Randy Gregory. The Cowboys hope that they’ll be able to add the speed and dynamic pass-rushing ability of Lawrence and Gregory since they’ll be without starting DT Trysten Hill has been suspended for two games after throwing a punch at Raiders guard John Simpson as the teams were dispersing following last Thursday’s contest. Hill is appealing the NFL’s ruling but isn’t expected to get a reprieve. A decision will likely be made prior to kickoff in New Orleans, so make sure you’re aware of developments.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told Dallas’ 105.3 The FAN that Lawrence is going to play against the Saints but believed a more realistic timetable for Gregory and DT Neville Gallimore would be for them to return for their Week 14 visit to Washington.

Laying the points with Dallas extending New Orleans’ misery could be the right call with the offense looking like it will be closer to full strength. The Saints are hoping to get a number of key players on both sides of the ball back in order tor pull back even at .500, but not having until Sunday to get guys healthy definitely doesn’t help matters. With the number coming down towards four points, the Cowboys look like the more attractive side.

🏈 There are a lot of moving pieces in advance of Thursday’s Cowboys vs Saints showdown. How is the betting market reacting? On this morning’s edition of WagerTalk Today, @SportsbkConsig shared his thoughts on the #NFL Week 13 movement.
📺 Full episode: https://t.co/T23PbH7o5O pic.twitter.com/SJtqjLnnXu

— WagerTalk (@WagerTalk) December 1, 2021

New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys Analysis from The GoldSheet

Bet On It | Saints vs Cowboys Preview

The barking dogs, sandwiches, teasers, and steam plays are back! Join Kelly, Marco, Gianni and Ralph every Wednesday for Bet On It. as they share their thoughts on the NFL card. Pull up a chair as we discuss the Week 13 card from a variety of betting angles. We kick off the New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys discussion at the 13:45 timestamp.

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