Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams Odds, Spread, Preview: NFL Week 5 Predictions

Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams Week 5 matchup preview and current betting lines

The Los Angeles Rams appear to be in the midst of a Super Bowl hangover which many teams have suffered in previous years after lifting the Lombardi Trophy. Sean McVay’s team hosts the Cowboys at 4:25 p.m. Sunday.

The Rams (2-2) played horrifically in their 24-9 loss away to the 49ers. McVay has had trouble with a 3-7 record when facing his friend and former Washington colleague, Kyle Shanahan. Both coaches are a part of the Mike Shanahan coaching tree along with Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur. 

After taking a 3-0 lead with a field goal through Matt Gay in the first quarter against the 49ers, the Rams gave up a 32-yard rushing touchdown to Jeff Wilson Jr. and never led again. Los Angeles was outscored 24-6 after their first score and only tacked on two more field goals. 

Matthew Stafford isn’t playing at a high level and threw for 254 yards with an interception against the Niners. The Super Bowl MVP has six picks this season (31st in the NFL) and only has four touchdown passes. It’s evident he misses his no. 2 and 3 receivers from last season: Odell Beckham and Van Jefferson (injured). 

Dallas has quietly put together a three-game winning streak with backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Dak Prescott is out with a fractured thumb he suffered in week 1 against the Buccaneers. 

Rush hasn’t posted crazy stat lines, but has protected the ball by not throwing any interceptions (ranked first in the NFL). The Central Michigan product has a quarterback rating of 73.9 (4th) throughout his four games played.

The current moneyline odds for this matchup on BetMGM Sportsbook are Dallas (+200) vs. Los Angeles (-250). Oddsmakers favor the Rams as 5.5-point favorites at -110 odds. Among the public, 61% of spread bets have been placed on the Cowboys to cover. 

Players to watch in the Dallas vs. Los Angeles contest

Dallas

CeeDee Lamb: The 2020 No. 17 overall pick became Dallas’ primary weapon on the outside after Amari Cooper was traded to the Browns in the offseason. The former Oklahoma star has posted at least 75 yards in his last three games. Lamb has also broken the plane in each of his previous two contests. Michael Gallup returned from injury as the No. 2 receiver in the offense but was only targeted three times in his 2022 debut versus Washington compared to Lamb (eight).

Los Angeles

Allen Robinson: The former Bear signed a three-year, $46 million contract in the offseason. McVay hoped Robinson could be the No. 2 receiver and replace the departures of Beckham (injured) and Robert Woods (left for Tennessee). Through four games, the 29-year-old only has four receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. Woods has eclipsed 23 receiving yards only once in 2022.

Our NFL bet of the week for the Cowboys vs. Rams

ESTNN is providing wagerers with two free selections for this game.

Dallas vs Los Angeles Spread: Dallas +5.5 @ -110

This game has “defensive battle” written all over it. The Cowboys rank third in the league for points allowed (15.5) and are sixth in total defense (308.5 yards per game). The Rams are 16th in the league in total defense (341.5) and 18th in points surrendered per contest (23.5).

The Rams haven’t performed up to par defensively with their defensive stars which include Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. In last year’s playoffs, the Rams were second in total defense and third in points allowed among 14 teams. Ramsey hasn’t been the lockdown corner of the past and has let opposing receivers beat him deep.

Los Angeles hasn’t struggled only in the passing category, but also in establishing the run. Running back duo Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson have failed to get things going on the ground which allows the passing lanes to open up. The Rams rank 30th in the league with 60.5 rushing yards per game and 29th in yards per carry (3.3).

Dallas is fifth against the pass allowing only 171 yards per contest. Micah Parsons (linebacker) and Trevon Diggs (cornerback) have posed many problems for opposing offenses. 

Stafford has struggled mightily and now he’ll face a defense that is allowing teams to score on only 15.4% of drives. If Cooper Rush can continue to not turn the ball over, Dallas should keep this game close. The Cowboys are 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 contests while the Rams are 1-5 ATS in their last six.

Our prediction at ESTNN is the Cowboys will cover the 5.5-point spread. BetMGM is offering -110 odds on its sportsbook.

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Cowboys vs. Rams odds: Cooper Kupp over 8.5 receptions @ +100

While the winning ways of the Rams haven’t stayed similar to last season, Cooper Kupp’s consistently stellar play has. The 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year has smashed the over receptions prop in three of his last four games. Aside from week 3 against the Cardinals, Kupp has recorded 13, 11 and 14 catches

The 29-year-old is averaging 10.5 receptions per game in 2022 and has been targeted 52 times (an average of 13 per outing). In 2021, Kupp had 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns on 145 receptions (8.5 per game).

The Eastern Washington product remains Stafford’s favorite target and will likely hit the over for his receptions prop. Our pick is to take over 8.5 receptions at +100 odds on the bet365 sportsbook.

If you’re interested in learning about more prop bets for week 5, read our NFL player props page.

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