The Dallas Cowboys have installed Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach, and his first task will be taking his squad to Southern California, where they’ll open up their preseason schedule against the Los Angeles Rams.
While most starters for either team aren’t expected to play, my Cowboys vs. Rams predictions will explain why a revamped Dallas offense could open up the scoring in this one.
Read below for my free NFL picks for Saturday, August 9.
Cowboys vs Rams prediction
Cowboys vs Rams Best bet: Over 33.5 (-110 at bet365)
We know that Sean McVay dislikes the preseason, given his incredibly conservative usage of anyone who’s remotely important to the team. With Matthew Stafford working through an injury, Jimmy Garoppolo would be next in line to suit up, but McVay isn’t planning on using the veteran.
Instead, it’ll be third-stringer Stetson Bennett under center for L.A. opposite Joe Milton III.
For Milton, it’ll be his first real test after playing just one game for New England last year, where he completed 75.9% of his passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. Most importantly, though he did lose a fumble, he didn’t throw any interceptions.
Now, Schottenheimer is an offensive-minded coach, so it will be somewhat exciting to see what he’s able to get out of so many of his young talents. Dallas’ line is a little banged up, which hurt its ground game a bit when these two held a joint practice this week.
On top of that, there are just two or three incumbent wideouts that are expected to play, and moving down to the second unit of a line that’s already inexperienced is only going to make the task tougher.
While I do worry a bit about Milton, especially with this line, he’s had plenty of experience getting the ball out quickly behind one of the worst lines in the league last year in New England. On top of that, the Rams’ defense is coming off a horrendous year where it especially struggled against the pass, and most of the intriguing names stand on the offensive side of the ball.
While the likes of KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert are set to take any opportunities on Saturday as an opportunity to prove their talent worthy of a big role, you can say the same about Tutu Atwell on the Rams’ side, who will be working alongside Xavier Smith — a standout in camp thus far.
Of course, Bennett will need to get them the ball, and he did throw four interceptions last preseason. With that said, however, we’re only hearing great things about the Rams’ tertiary options at receiver, and Dallas’ defense was already in a rough spot after finishing 2024 among the worst in the league. I think the task at hand will be an easy one for Bennett, who can make quick throws and utilize all the speed at his disposal, and together with the promise Milton has shown this summer, these teams should score some points.
Cowboys vs Rams odds
Cowboys vs Rams live odds
Cowboys vs Rams opening odds
- Spread: Cowboys -2.5| Rams +2.5
- Moneyline: Cowboys -140 | Rams +120
- Over/Under: Over 33.5 | Under 33.5
How to watch Cowboys vs Rams
| Location: | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Date: | Saturday, August 9, 2025 |
| Kickoff: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TBD |
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