It’s now been two years since the world was able to enjoy an NFL preseason game, thanks to COVID-19. Tonight sees the return of the season, with the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers featured in the Hall of Fame Game. Taking place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH, this game marks what will hopefully be the start of a long, uninterrupted season. Although neither team is expected to put their heavyweights on the field, it’s still a chance for football fans and sports bettors to get a taste of what’s to come. Most watching tonight’s game will want to see if the Cowboys are ready to flip back from the horrendous season they had last year.
Cowboys and Steelers Gear Up
The Steelers were well on their way to at least a strong playoff appearance last year when they started 11-0. Things fell apart after that, though, and they began losing games. Ending with a 12-4 record, they were quickly eliminated in the playoffs and are looking to regain their fans’ trust. Ben Roethlisberger is closing in on the end of his pro career, and he will likely be a strong force this season so he can go out with a bang. Oddsmakers, however, aren’t so sure. Big Ben won’t be in tonight, but he will have a chance to look at what to expect once the regular season begins.
The Cowboys get Dak Prescott back this season, but, like Roethlisberger, he’ll mostly be enjoying tonight’s game from the sidelines. He’s particularly interested in seeing how Mason Rudolph performs, as he could be next in line for QB if Prescott needs a break. His time with the Washington Football Team was short-lived, after having been selected first in the 2019 NFL Draft, and the Cowboys want to see what he’s got.
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For sports bettors, this game doesn’t carry a tremendous amount of weight, but it will still serve as a good way to get ready for the regular season. The lines are a little closer than they probably should be, but the lack of anything to compare this game to makes for a little more uncertainty over performances. Still, this is going to be a great contest between two teams that want to show the world that they’re driven and committed.
The Steelers are getting -145 on the moneyline, while the Cowboys are getting +105. The Steelers get the edge because of last year’s performance, as well as the Cowboys’ lack of a performance, and are going to come out on top. However, the spread, at 1.5 (-120), is a lock for a win. The NFL Over/Under stands at 32.5 (-115) and taking the Over is probably a smart choice. Scoring is up in the NFL, especially in the early-season games, and, with both teams out to prove themselves, there will be a few big plays tonight.
NFL Prop Bets Add Quality
Instead of looking at just the straight-up action, there are several interesting prop bets worth a glance. Either team scoring in the last two minutes of the game is getting +220 on the No (Yes is more likely) and the Steelers being the first team to 20 points is getting +200. Since the prop doesn’t mention “unanswered” points, this seems like a safe bet with a good payout.
