The Dallas Cowboys (3-2) will head west this week to take on the Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) on Monday Night Football. Dallas was blown out last week on Sunday Night Football and will be looking to avoid back-to-back embarrassing performances in primetime.
The Chargers are off to a so-so start, but this could be a good spot for them since they're coming off a bye. Can Justin Herbert get his squad back up over .500 for the year? We don't have an opinion on the side but have found a few player props that we like for Cowboys at Chargers. Let's get into it!
Tony Pollard OVER 66.5 Rushing Yards (DraftKings)
This is a good bounce-back spot for Pollard and the Cowboys running game. Sure, San Francisco held Pollard to just 29 rushing yards last week on 8 carries. That being said, this Chargers defensive line isn't nearly as stout as the Niners.
Los Angeles's defense ranks just 28th in rushing success rate allowed, while Dallas's offense ranks 8th. The Cowboys offensive line is also a lot healthier than they have been in weeks prior. Joey Bosa is listed as questionable for the Bolts, as he's dealing with a toe injury.
In the end I think this line is a smidge too low. Pollard's median rushing yardage is 70 this season, and he's gone over this total in 3 of his 5 games so far. The only 2 teams to keep him under wraps were New England and the aforementioned San Fran. Los Angeles doesn't have that level of rush defense, so let's play the Over.
Joshua Palmer UNDER 53.5 Receiving Yards
This sure looks like it's about 10 yards too high. Palmer has seen an increase in target share the past couple of games, so I think that has inflated this line a little bit. Palmer's median this season through 4 games is just 39.5 receiving yards.
With a total of over 50 and lots of expected yardage for both offenses, I did boost my number on Palmer up from the median. Even with doing that, I still came up with 46.5 receiving yards for Palmer. He'll also be going up against DaRon Bland, who has been playing well this year for the Cowboys.
Dallas had a rough game against San Fran, but their defense still ranks 4th in EPA allowed per drop back and 6th in passing success rate allowed. Look for Bland to keep Palmer at bay in this one. We'll ride the Under.
Brandin Cooks UNDER 36.5 Receiving Yards (BetMGM)
Cooks hasn't even come close to going over this number, and I don't see it happening tonight, even against the Chargers suspect pass defense. Dallas brought in Cooks to be a deep threat, but that just hasn't panned out so far this season.
The 30-year-old veteran is only averaging 8.11 yards per reception and just 3.84 yards per target. With Dak Prescott giving CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup the majority of the targets, look for Cooks to once again stay Under this total.
That'll wrap it up for our Monday Night Football props. Let's go 2-1 or better with these to get back on track. Good luck!
