MNF Week 9 Preview: Cowboys Aim to Rebound vs. Cardinals as Receivers Take Center Stage

Week 9 of the NFL season concludes with the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. Dallas enters the matchup looking to bounce back after last week’s lopsided loss to the Denver Broncos. The Cowboys have had no trouble putting points on the board — but their defense has struggled to contain opposing offenses.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, are searching for answers after dropping five straight and will once again be without quarterback Kyler Murray.

Oddsmakers list the Cowboys as 3.5-point favorites, with an over/under of 54.5.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen, Liz Loza, Pamela Maldonado, and Seth Walder share their game predictions, prop plays, and betting insights to help you prepare for tonight’s matchup.

Odds accurate at time of publication. For live updates, visit ESPN BET.

Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys

📺 ABC / ESPN — 8:15 p.m. ET
📊 Line: DAL -3.5 (Even) | O/U: 54.5 (-105 / -115)
💰 Moneyline: DAL -165, ARI +140
📈 FPI Projection: DAL by 4.0 (61.4% chance to win)

Analyst Game Picks

AnalystStraight UpSpreadO/UMatt Bowen——UnderPamela Maldonado——UnderLiz Loza——OverSeth Walder——Under

Key Player Props and Betting Angles

Passing Props

PlayerYards (O/U)TDs (O/U)Dak Prescott266.5 (-120 / -110)2.5 (+160 / -220)Jacoby Brissett248.5 (-115 / -115)1.5 (-150 / +120)

Rushing Props

PlayerYards (O/U)To Score TDJavonte Williams66.5 (-115 / -115)-185Bam Knight51.5 (-115 / -115)+145

Analyst Prop Picks

Trey McBride — Anytime TD (Even)
Bowen: “McBride has scored in back-to-back games with Brissett under center, earning four end-zone targets over that stretch. Expect Arizona to scheme him into scoring position once again tonight.”

Trey McBride — Under 7.5 Receptions (-145)
Walder: “Dallas may be soft defensively overall, ranking last in EPA per play entering Sunday, but they excel at limiting short and intermediate routes over the middle — McBride’s primary territory.”

Marvin Harrison Jr. — Over 59.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
Loza: “Harrison hasn’t surpassed 58 yards in Brissett’s starts yet, but that should change tonight. The Cowboys have allowed the most receiving yards in the league (273 per game), and Harrison’s deep-threat ability (16.5 YPR) makes him a strong bet in a projected high-scoring contest.”

CeeDee Lamb — 7+ Receptions (-125)
Maldonado: “At home, this offense runs through Lamb. Arizona’s zone-heavy Cover 4 defense forces underneath throws — right in Lamb’s wheelhouse. Prescott has completed nearly 78% of his passes vs. zone, and Lamb has cleared seven receptions in every home game this season. This is a volume play rooted in trust and role.”

Receiving Props

PlayerYards (O/U)To Score TDCeeDee Lamb81.5 (-115 / -115)EvenTrey McBride68.5 (-115 / -115)EvenGeorge Pickens65.5 (-115 / -115)+125Marvin Harrison Jr.60.5 (-115 / -115)+125Jake Ferguson41.5 (-120 / -110)+125

Betting Trends (via ESPN Research)

• The Cardinals have won 7 of their past 8 meetings with Dallas.

• The Cowboys’ last five games have all gone over the total.

• Arizona is 3-0 ATS on the road this season and 7-1 ATS as road underdogs since 2024.

• The Cardinals have lost five straight, each by four points or fewer.