Dallas Cowboys 2022 NFL Season Betting Preview (Can Mike McCarthy Lead Them to the Promise Land?)

The Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East in 2021, but were eliminated from the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers in the opening round.

The team hopes to take the next step forward this year, eyeing their first NFC Championship since 1995.

The offense once again revolves around Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, and some added pressure falls on the shoulders of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb after the offseason departure of Amari Cooper.

Let's take a look at what the oddsmakers think about the Cowboys this season, as well as my own predictions.

Don't forget to check out the full list of team previews here. We'll release one each day until all 32 NFL teams are covered.

Dallas Cowboys Offseason Moves and Signings

• WR Amari Cooper was traded to the Browns for 5th + 6th round draft picks.
• Signed LB Anthony Barr from the Vikings.
• Signed DE Dante Fowler from the Falcons.
• Drafted OT Tyler Smith from Tulsa with the 24th overall picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Dallas Cowboys 2022 Schedule

The Dallas Cowboys get their season kicked-off on Sunday Night Football in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Cowboys play in five prime time games in 2022:

• Week 1 vs. Buccaneers (Sunday Night Football)
• Week 3 at Giants (Monday Night Football)
• Week 6 at Eagles (Sunday Night Football)
• Week 13 vs. Colts (Sunday Night Football)
• Week 17 at Titans (Thursday Night Football)

Week 9 serves as the team's BYE Week.

Dallas Cowboys 2022 Win Total Prediction

• OVER 10 Wins (-110)
• UNDER 10 Wins (-110)

Mike McCarthy is the worst head coach in the NFL; I truly believe that. The Cowboys have one of the most talented and skilled rosters in the league, but as long as McCarthy is their head coach, they’ll never reach their full potential.

The Cowboys' defense led the NFL in takeaways per game last year, averaging 1.9. While that seems like a positive note to most people, I actually think it’s a sign that we’ll see regression. Takeaways are more of the result of offense making a mistake, than the defense making the play.

Example: In 2020, the Dolphins defense led the NFL in this stat. People were claiming they had one of the best defenses in the league heading into last year. Then, they finished 12th in opponent yards per game and 15th in opponent points per game. Average at best.

The Cowboys lost receiver Amari Cooper, right tackle La'el Collins, receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. and defensive end Randy Gregory, among others. They did little to replace those players, and they now enter 2022 with a slightly worse roster than 2021.

PICK: Cowboys UNDER 10 wins (-110)

Dallas Cowboys 2022 Odds to Win NFC East, NFC, and Super Bowl

• To Make the Playoffs: -225
• Odds to Win NFC East: +140
• Odds to Win NFC: +900
• Odds to Win Super Bowl 57: +2000

I don't think there's going to be any in-between with the Cowboys this season. Either, they're going to be Super Bowl contenders, or they're going to miss the playoffs.

If you disagree with what I wrote about them above, then go ahead and skip the betting options for them to make the playoffs or win the NFC East, and sprinkle on them to win the NFC at +900, or win the Super Bowl at +2000.

The good thing is, we'll get a chance to immediately see how they matchup with the league's best when they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.

With all of that being said, I stand by what I wrote. I'll never trust this team as long as they have Mike McCarthy as their head coach.

BEST BET: Miss the Playoffs +175

Follow along with BetSided's picks on Betstamp all season long