Cowboys at Jets Week 5 Betting Preview: Over Bettors Rejoice
The Dallas Cowboys head to MetLife Stadium on Sunday, October 5th to face the New York Jets in what shapes up to be a shootout between two teams whose defensive coordinators might want to update their resumes. MyBookie has the Cowboys as 2.5-point road favorites with a total set at 47.5.
Defense Optional Football
Coming off Monday night’s wild 40-40 tie with the Packers, the Cowboys proved once again that their offense can light up the scoreboard against anyone. The problem? Their defense proved the same thing—just for the opposition. That theme should continue in New Jersey against a Jets squad that has somehow made their once-vaunted defense disappear faster than a New York minute.
The numbers tell a brutal story for both defensive units. The Jets rank 30th in the NFL in defensive yards per point at just 11.1, while Dallas checks in at 23rd with a mark of 12.7. Translation: both teams are giving up points in bunches, and after just four weeks, it’s pretty safe to say both franchises will be watching Bad Bunny’s halftime show at Super Bowl 60 from their living rooms.
Offensive Firepower on Display
Unless the Cowboys are too gassed from Monday night’s track meet, this game should feature plenty of offensive fireworks. Dallas enters Week 5 averaging 31.5 points per game, ranking second in the league. Meanwhile, the Jets have been involved in some surprisingly high-scoring contests this season, a departure from their defensive identity of recent years.
The Cowboys’ passing attack has been particularly potent, and they’ll face a Jets secondary that has struggled to generate consistent pressure or coverage. On the flip side, New York’s offense has shown flashes of explosiveness that could exploit Dallas’s vulnerable defense.
Betting the Board
The Play: Over 47.5 (shop for 47 if possible)
This total feels almost disrespectful given what both defenses have shown—or rather, haven’t shown—through four weeks. With both teams ranking in the bottom third of the league in defensive efficiency and Dallas coming off a game where they combined for 80 points, the Over presents strong value. Even factoring in the short week for the Cowboys, the offensive talent on both sides should be able to exploit these porous defenses.
Secondary Play: Cowboys -2.5
While the Over is the primary recommendation, Dallas getting just 2.5 points feels like a gift. Our model projects this one finishing 37-31 in favor of the visitors. The Cowboys have the more consistent offense and, believe it or not, the slightly less problematic defense. In a game where both teams will struggle to get stops, having the team with the better offensive firepower at a key number like 2.5 provides solid value.
Dallas is 2-1-1 against the spread this season, while the Jets sit at 2-2 ATS. More importantly, the Cowboys have shown they can win shootouts, something they may need to do once again at MetLife Stadium.
The Bottom Line
This matchup has all the makings of another high-scoring affair for a Cowboys team that’s turning games into basketball contests. With two defenses ranking near the bottom of the league and offenses capable of moving the ball at will, bettors should embrace the chaos and ride the Over. Those looking for a side play can feel comfortable laying the short number with Dallas, who should have enough offensive firepower to cover on the road.