Football will officially return on Thursday. The Hall of Fame kicks off the NFL preseason slate, as the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys will face off in Canton, Ohio. Each team has a Hall of Fame inductee -- quarterback Kurt Warner for Arizona and owner Jerry Jones for Dallas -- which is why they were invited to face off.
The game will be nationally televised, but there may not be a lot of familiar faces on the field. Since this is an extra preseason game for both teams, neither wants to see key starters exposed to unnecessary injury risk. With that in mind, there should be a lot of focus put on the backup quarterback situation as those are the players that could help decide this contest.
This first game of the preseason will go down Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. ET at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arizona Cardinals +1
Dallas Cowboys -1
Over/Under 36.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
This game is being played at a neutral site and most of the big names won’t be playing, so it truly seems likes a toss-up pick. Not surprisingly the spread is small, with the Cowboys holding a one-point advantage. The may be done because of the popularity of the team to get some action on the Cardinals. While a one-point win for Dallas is unlikely, it makes sense to take Arizona on the off chance the game is close and that can earn a bettor a push.
The scoring total is relatively low as the first preseason game will often be choppy because it features backups who are still trying to learn a new system. Big plays could be the determining factor as a defensive touchdown or a couple of big plays could push this one “over” the total.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
The Cardinals have already announced that neither starting quarterback Carson Palmer nor star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will play in this game. Palmer is 37 years old and has been in the system for five years so there is no need to put him onto the field of play.
Drew Stanton is the veteran backup and while he could get some work, it may not be a ton. This game could be looked at as more of a showcase for third-stringer Blaine Gabbert, a former first-round pick who has not found success in the NFL with the Jaguars of 49ers. Gabbert has talent but needs to play well in order to lock up his spot on the team. Trevor Knight is fourth on the Cardinals’ depth chart and he should also see extensive action.
The Cowboys seem likely to either play Dak Prescott sparingly or not at all. Kellen Moore is the backup and he should see some action. Dallas had Zac Dysert on the roster but he will miss the season after having back surgery. Luke McCown was recently signed and while he is a veteran, he could have a tough time in this one if he is unfamiliar with what the team wants to run. Undrafted rookie free agent Cooper Rush is another player on the Cowboys’ roster.
The Cardinals have more established backup quarterbacks and should have the advantage in this area, unless Prescott plays a series or two, which could tilt the odds in Dallas’ favor.
COACHING HISTORY
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has gone 7-9 in his career in the preseason. The team won only one of four contests a year ago. The Cardinals were 2-2 in 2015, 1-3 in 2014 and 3-1 in 2013 under Arians during preseason play.
Jason Garrett is 9-16 in preseason play. The Cowboys’ coach has gone just 2-10 in the preseason over the past three seasons, including 1-3 a year ago. That poor record is definitely something to keep in mind.
QUICK PICK
The Cowboys lost starting quarterback Tony Romo to injury last season. It turned out better than anyone could have imagined as rookie Dak Prescott took the reins and did an incredible job, but it is still a warning sign. Dallas likely won’t have any inclination to put any of its stars in harm’s way, and even the secondary starters will likely see very few reps.
Neither side will have a lot of starters in for very long, but it seems like the Cardinals have the quarterback advantage. That’s why Arizona should be the pick to come away victorious in the Hall of Fame Game.
NFL Odds: Cardinals 24, Cowboys 16
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