Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers 2018: Prediction, Betting Odds, Preview For NFL Week 1

Few matchups on the first NFL Sunday of the 2018 season are more intriguing than the one between the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. It’s the schedule’s only meeting of two NFC teams that finished last season with winning records, and the betting odds indicate that the contest would be a pick’em on a neutral field.

Carolina is a three-point favorite at home, according to OddsShark, and the over/under is 42.5. The two teams are looking to get off to a strong start after dealing with similar problems in the preseason.

Offensive line issues have plagued both the Cowboys and Panthers in recent weeks. Dak Prescott and Cam Newton are looking to bounce back from down statistical seasons, though neither one has an established No.1 wide receiver on the roster. Both teams have questions in the secondary but are very strong up front.

That could mean Dallas and Carolina are headed for one of the lowest-scoring contests in Week 1.

The Cowboys are used to playing without some of the best players on their roster. Injuries to their vaunted offensive line and a six-game suspension for Ezekiel Elliott played a major role in a three-game losing streak last season that ultimately kept Dallas out of the playoffs. Prescott threw for no touchdowns and five interceptions during that skid.

There’s reason for Dallas to be optimistic ahead of the season opener. Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick won’t suit up because of a rare autoimmune disorder, though it sounds like Zack Martin, La’el Collins and Tyron Smith will all be good to go. Elliott will start at running back after nearly totaling 1,000 yards on the ground in just 10 games a season ago.

For the Panthers, left tackle Matt Kalil is on injured reserve because of knee surgery. Right tackle Daryl Williams, who was a 2017 Second-team All-Pro selection, returned to practice this week after dislocating his kneecap in July. It’s not yet known if he’ll play Sunday.

Whoever is assigned to protect Newton in Week 1 will have their hands full. The Cowboys used the franchise tag on defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence in the offseason after he registered 14.5 sacks, which was tied for second in the NFL. Defensive tackle David Irving was second on the team in 2017 with seven sacks in just 13 games, though he’ll miss the first four games of 2018 with a suspension.

Dallas has thrived on the road with Prescott under center. The quarterback went 6-2 outside of AT&T Stadium in each of his first two NFL seasons. The Cowboys have just one loss against the spread in their last seven road games, according to OddsShark.

Prescott has shown how well he can play when protected by an elite offensive line. He posted a passer rating of 99.0 or better 12 times in 2016 and avoided throwing an interception in all but three games. Prescott threw for 21 scores and 10 picks when Tyron Smith played in 2017. The quarterback has a 101.6 career passer rating when Elliott suits up.

Despite the obstacles they faced last year, Dallas still managed to win nine games. Carolina seemingly overachieved with an 11-5 record in a strong division, overcoming Newton’s 80.7 passer rating and an offense that ranked 19th in the league.

The Panthers could take a step back this season, starting with a loss at home in the season opener.

Prediction: Dallas over Carolina, 24-16