Opening Cowboys vs Saints Odds and Betting Lines for TNF Week 13

• The Dallas Cowboys are 5.5-point road favorites over the New Orleans Saints in the opening odds for the NFL’s Week 13 edition of TNF on Thursday, December 2
• New Orleans (5-6) has lost four games in a row
• Dallas (7-4) are losers of two straight and three of four games

The once-promising NFL seasons of the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints are rapidly running out of steam. Luckily for both teams, the NFC isn’t exactly chock full of quality squads this season.

Even though Dallas is 1-3 through the last four games, the Cowboys maintain a healthy 2.5-game lead atop the mostly dreadful NFC East. New Orleans has dropped four in a row, sliding to 5-6. Most seasons, that would prove a death knell to a team’s postseason hopes. In the 2021 NFC, the Saints sit one game out of a Wild Card playoff spot.

For that reason, as the two teams clash in the Week 13 edition of TNF, it’s hard to make the case that this is a must-win game for either club. Oddsmakers are setting up the Cowboys as 5.5-point road favorites in the opening betting line. Dallas (7-4) is actually a better team against the spread (8-3) than straight up this season.

Cowboys vs Saints Odds

Odds as of November 28th at FanDuel
Kickoff for Thursday’s game at Caesars Superdome is slated for 8:20pm ET. FOX Sports is carrying the broadcast.

Dallas Cowboys Betting Trends

The Cowboys are the NFL’s #1 offence. They’ve gone over 400 yards in total offense in eight games this season. That’s the most in the NFL. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott passed for 375 yards last week, with 209 yards of that total coming in the fourth quarter.

A historic streak ended Thursday when Cowboys QB Dak Prescott threw an incompletion in overtime vs. Raiders. Prescott began his overtime career with a streak of 20 straight completions. He's now 20-of-21 for 220 yards, three TDs and a 149.9 passer rating after regulation. pic.twitter.com/mM76ZJXdDA

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 28, 2021

However, it’s not doing much good when the defense is handing the opposition offense extra opportunities. Last Thursday’s 36-33 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders was fueled by an Anthony Brown pass interference call that set up the winning field goal. Brown was flagged four times in the game for PI, all on third-down incompletions.

The NFL leader in penalty yardage entering the game, Dallas committed 14 fouls for a franchise-record 166 yards.

New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

It was turn back the clock night last Thursday in New Orleans. The Saints managed to do something that the franchise hadn’t accomplished in 23 years – they lost at home to the Buffalo Bills. The 64 yards in total offense gained in the first half of the 31-6 loss was also the lowest posted by the team since 1998.

The #Falcons are now in second place in the NFC South, holding the tie-breaker over New Orleans because of their win over the Saints.

— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) November 28, 2021

Limited to 190 yards in total offense for the game, the Saints are 0-4 since Jameis Winston was lost for the season and Trevor Siemian took over at QB for New Orleans. Slow starts are burying the Saints. New Orleans has scored seven points or fewer in the first half in each of their six losses this season.

Cowboys-Saints Injury Report

Both of these teams are riddled by injury at key positions. The Saints played the last three games minus RB Alvin Kamara (knee), the NFL’s best all-purpose player. All-Pro WR Michael Thomas (ankle) has missed the entire season. In total, New Orleans is missing seven offensive starters through injury.

The #Cowboys announced that RT Terence Steele was placed the COVID-19 reserve list and he’s out Thursday vs. the #Saints.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2021

The Cowboys have their own issues. They played Thursday minus wideouts CeeDee Lamb (concussion) and Amari Cooper (COVID-19 reserve) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (knee).

Lamb is expected back this week. However, news broke Sunday that  a COVID-19 outbreak is ruling out starting right tackle Terence Steele, three Dallas offensive coaches and two of three strength coaches .

Cowboys-Saints Line Movement

While the Cowboys are certainly reeling, the wheels have completely come off the chassis in the case of Saints. Their seasons looks to be done like dinner.

This is very good news for the Saints. https://t.co/kvA7WrpwyC

— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) November 28, 2021

Line movement on this game is likely to be based upon the daily injury reports from both camps. If either team is showing an uptick in health at the offensive skill positions, expect the betting line to tilt in their favor.

Bottom line though is who are you taking in a Dak Prescott-Trevor Siemian QB showdown? And that the answer to this question is Dak is inherently obvious.