2021 Hall of Fame Game Betting Analysis & Predictions – Cowboys vs. Steelers

Hope springs eternal at this time of year.  To illuminate the opening of NFL preseason is a time for dreams.  And nobody dreams bigger than Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.  The NFL’s ultimate salesman has a gift for getting burned fans and gamblers coming back for more.  In 2020, Dallas was hyped as Super Bowl material.  Instead, they crashed and burned in head coach Mike McCarthy’s first season.  Injuries and a defenseless defense exposed the Cowboys as Super Bowl best bet frauds.  But with a refortified lineup and coaching staff, Dallas is the NFC East betting favorite.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers CashBet Wagering Analysis

On this occasion, the NFL preseason matchup of the Cowboys and Steelers is between two sportsbook name brands.  Dallas and Pittsburgh epitomize marquee clubs that boast plenty of attention with the betting public.  Dallas is one of the most popular teams on any board.  As a result, gamblers are often forced to pay more than the Cowboys are worth.  That is the price for being “America’s Team.” Problematic is that Dallas is consistently more hype than substance.  Namely, Jones has built a powerful brand image.  Actual results show the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl appearance was in 1995.

Counter to that is the Steelers franchise that is among the most consistent and stable in any sport.  Gamblers like that Pittsburgh is about results and substance.  Yet the Steelers bring a fan base that goes back several generations.  Pittsburgh was the NFL’s first Super Bowl dynasty.  Consider that they won four Lombardi Trophies from 1974 through 1979.  With that comes countless gamblers that have never forgotten.  Still, these bettors see the Steelers as betting on Super Bowl material.  Oddsmakers adjust the betting lines accordingly.

Cowboys Get a Much-Needed Reset

To begin with, Dallas emphasized defense in the 2021 NFL Draft.  Former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn arrives to coordinate the defense.  Second-year head coach Mike McCarthy gets a reset with Dak Prescott’s return after missing almost all of 2020.  Defense will be the Dallas priority in preseason.  Several new players must be worked into the lineup.

Steelers Prepare for One Final Run With Big Ben

First-round draft pick Najee Harris is the running back Pittsburgh has pined for. Harris’ arrival has boosted the Steelers’ price with the Super Bowl betting odds.  Harris will take the heat off of Ben Roethlisberger and the defense.  Head coach Mike Tomlin will focus on backup quarterbacks Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins, and Joshua Dobbs in the preseason.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Against the Spread

Dallas is one of the worst NFL betting values found anywhere in the preseason.  To illustrate, the Cowboys covered only three of their previous 14 exhibitions.  Under the total paid in eight of their most recent 11 preseason games.  Further, the Cowboys paid in just one of their last five away preseason games.  Dallas went under the total in four straight preseason games away from home.

By contrast, the Steelers have been a reliable preseason wagering value.  To show, Pittsburgh lost only three of its most recent 12 preseason games to the spread.  Five of their last eight preseason games cleared the total.  Away from home, the Steelers got the money in four of their previous six exhibition games.  Three of their last five away games in preseason went over the total.

To be exact, this is the first preseason meeting between these teams since 2003.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers CashBet Free Pick  

In this situation, there will be plenty of substitutions.  Many of the players we’ll see aren’t known or recognizable.  As was previously noted, Dallas is a terrible preseason NFL gambling value.

Cowboys vs. Steelers CashBet Best Bet: 

Pittsburgh Steelers