Giants vs Cowboys Week 2 NFL Betting Preview – September 14, 2025

MyBookie Odds: Dallas -6 | Total 44 | 1:00 PM ET at AT&T Stadium

The NFC East rivalry continues as the New York Giants travel to Arlington to face the Dallas Cowboys in a pivotal Week 2 matchup. Both teams enter at 0-1, making this an essential early-season bounce-back opportunity for division positioning.

Game Overview and Betting Landscape

Dallas opened as home favorites and the line has held steady around the -6 mark across most books. The total sits at a modest 44 points, reflecting expectations of a lower-scoring divisional affair. Public betting action shows early support for the Cowboys both straight up and against the spread, while total action remains relatively balanced with a slight lean toward the under.

Why Dallas Covers the Six-Point Spread

The Cowboys present a case to cover as home favorites, backed by several key factors that make them the play in this spot.

Dominant Home Performance Against New York

The historical context heavily favors Dallas in this matchup. Dak Prescott is 7-1 at home all time against the Giants, while the Cowboys have won 15 of their last 16 games against New York. This level of dominance in the head-to-head series creates a psychological edge that shouldn’t be underestimated.

Rest and Preparation Advantage

Dallas benefits from additional rest and preparation time after playing Thursday night in Week 1. This extra time allows the coaching staff to make necessary adjustments while giving players additional recovery time. The Cowboys demonstrated resilience in their opener, staying competitive with defending champion Philadelphia despite falling short.

Offensive Efficiency Indicators

The Cowboys showed promising signs on offense in Week 1, particularly in their ground game effectiveness. Dallas posted strong rushing metrics and maintained offensive balance against a quality Philadelphia defense. The passing attack, led by Prescott and featuring weapons like CeeDee Lamb, should find more success against a Giants secondary that allowed significant yardage in their opener.

Giants’ Offensive Struggles

New York’s Week 1 performance raises serious concerns about their ability to move the football consistently. Russell Wilson’s completion percentage fell below 50% in the opener, and the entire offensive unit managed just six points against Washington. The Giants’ inability to sustain drives and convert on third downs creates a significant disadvantage against a rested Dallas defense.

Defensive Matchup Considerations

While New York possesses pass rush capabilities, Dallas demonstrated the ability to protect Prescott against Philadelphia’s formidable front seven. The Cowboys’ offensive line should handle the Giants’ pressure packages more effectively than they did against the Eagles’ championship-caliber defense.

Total Points Analysis: Under 44 is the Smart Play

The under presents exceptional value in this divisional matchup for multiple reasons that align with historical trends and current team situations.

Divisional Game Dynamics

NFC East matchups frequently feature physical, methodical gameplay that limits explosive scoring plays. Early-season NFC East matchups frequently trend Under unless early explosives hit. Both teams understand each other’s tendencies, leading to conservative game planning that emphasizes field position and mistake avoidance.

Offensive Limitations

The Giants’ offensive struggles in Week 1 were substantial, managing just 231 total yards with poor third-down conversion rates. Even with potential improvements, their ceiling appears limited against a Dallas defense that showed competitiveness against elite Philadelphia offensive talent.

Game Script Expectations

Dallas should control this game’s tempo, particularly if they establish an early lead. This creates a game flow that favors clock management and shorter possessions, naturally reducing the total number of scoring opportunities for both teams.

Weather and Venue Factors

While AT&T Stadium provides controlled conditions, the indoor environment won’t necessarily boost scoring if both offenses struggle with execution. The Giants’ road performance concerns combined with their Week 1 offensive issues suggest they’ll have difficulty reaching their implied total.

Key Betting Trends Supporting Our Position

Several important trends reinforce our betting recommendations:

Cowboys Spread Trends:

• The Cowboys have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games as home favorites against NFC East opponents
• The Cowboys have scored the first touchdown in six of their last seven games as favorites against NFC East opponents

Giants Concerning Trends:

• The Giants have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games against NFC opponents
• The Giants have lost each of their last nine games against NFC opponents
• The Giants have lost the first half in each of their last nine games against NFC opponents

Total Trends:

• Each of the Giants’ last nine September games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line
• Five of the last six games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total points line

Injury Considerations

Both teams enter relatively healthy, with no major injury concerns that significantly impact the betting outlook. Key skill position players remain available, allowing both coaching staffs to deploy their preferred game plans without major adjustments.

Final Betting Recommendations

Primary Play: Dallas Cowboys -6 (-110)

The Cowboys’ home dominance against New York, combined with their rest advantage and superior offensive capabilities, creates clear value at the current number. Dallas should control this game from the opening drive and maintain that advantage throughout.

Secondary Play: Under 44 Total Points (-110)

The combination of New York’s offensive struggles, divisional game dynamics, and historical trends strongly supports the under. Expect a physical, field-position battle that falls short of the posted total.

Projected Final Score: Cowboys 24, Giants 16

This scoreline allows Dallas to cover the spread while keeping the total comfortably under 44 points, aligning with our betting recommendations and the underlying game dynamics.

The Cowboys represent the clear superior side in this matchup, while the under provides excellent value based on both teams’ current offensive limitations and the typical nature of early-season divisional contests.