The Dallas Cowboys head to Bank of America Stadium to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, December 15.
This is the first time the Black Cats have been a favorite since Week 15 in 2022, and our top Cowboys vs. Panthers predictions and NFL picks are calling for Carolina running back Chuba Hubbard to be in for a busy day.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with the game airing on FOX.
Cowboys vs Panthers predictions and picks
- Spread: Cowboys +3 (-125 at BetMGM)
- Moneyline: Cowboys (+120 at BetMGM)
- Over/Under: Over 43.0 (-110 at BetMGM)
- Best bet: Chuba Hubbard Over 80.5 rushing yards (-110 at BetMGM)
Cowboys vs Panthers spread
It’s easy to forget that Dallas quarterback Cooper Rush is 7-4 as a starter during his career (2-3 in 2024), and the Cowboys have won two of their past three while playing much better defense. Dallas has surrendered the third-lowest EPA per play and second-lowest EPA per dropback while generating four turnovers during the stretch. Carolina is receiving a lot of credit for admirably contending with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles the past three weeks, but the Panthers still lost all three, and there’s a reason they haven’t been a favorite since Week 15 of the 2022 season.
Cowboys vs Panthers moneyline
I also expect Carolina QB Bryce Young to have some difficulties against the Dallas pass rush. The Cowboys generate pressure at a higher rate (28.5%) than any team in the league and rank fifth in PFF pass rush grade. Young sports a confidence-shattering 43.5 completion percentage under pressure, and his overall 5.9 yards per attempt and 59.0 completion percentage are bottom-tier marks.
Cowboys vs Panthers Over/Under
Both Dallas and Carolina have trended to the Over this season with respective 8-5 and 9-4 records, and Dallas has gone Over the number in all three games with a total of 43 or lower. Additionally, as noted, Carolina has also been more competitive the past three weeks and put up an average of 22 points per game compared to just 16.7 through the first 10.
Cowboys vs Panthers best bet
My best bet: Chuba Hubbard Over 80.5 rushing yards (-115 at BetMGM)
The Carolina Panthers backfield took a hit with 2024 second-round selection Jonathan Brooks retearing his right ACL during the Week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and it leaves veteran rusher Chuba Hubbard alone at the top of the depth chart and in line for a bell-cow workload Sunday.
Brooks joined RB Miles Sanders (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday, and inexperienced back Raheem Blackshear is also dealing with a chest injury and hasn’t had a carry all season. It leaves 27-year-old rusher Velus Jones as the only healthy back behind Hubbard on the team, and Jones was just added off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on Tuesday, so I’m not anticipating him seeing much action against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
It all adds up to Hubbard having a huge snap share and handling the majority of carries out of the Carolina backfield in Week 15.
Hubbard rushed 26 times last week against the Eagles, and it was the third time he handled 20-plus carries this season and 10th in his career. He’s also averaging an impressive 4.7 yards per tote with career highs in yards after contact per attempt (3.4) and breakaway percentage (28.5%).
Additionally, he’s topped this 80.5 rushing yards benchmark six times this season.
It’s also a good matchup for Hubbard to have success on the ground, which should encourage Carolina head coach and play-caller Dave Canales to give him plenty of run. Dallas has allowed the highest EPA per rush, ranks 30th in PFF run defense grade, and 29th in run-stop win rate, after all.
Cowboys vs Panthers same-game parlay
Cowboys moneyline
Chuba Hubbard Over 80.5 rushing yards
Brandon Aubrey Over 1.5 field goals
In addition to the already highlighted reasons to back the Cowboys as a road underdog, I also anticipate Dallas being motivated to win Sunday. It’s been a lost season, but head coach Mike McCarthy and the rest of the Cowboys brass still have plenty on the line, and I’m not expecting Dallas to be looking past Carolina.
I also value the Cowboys having both wide receiver Brandin Cooks and tight end Jake Ferguson back in the fold and off the injury report to give the Dallas offense a more dynamic look through the air.
Turning to Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey, he’s hit two or more field goals in 11 of 13 games this season and 22 of 30 for his career. Additionally, Carolina is tied for the third most field goals allowed (seven) over the past three weeks, and the Panthers are tied for the seventh-most field goals surrendered this season with 27 across 13 games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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More NFL picks and odds from Covers
Cowboys vs Panthers odds
Cowboys vs Panthers live odds
Cowboys vs Panthers opening odds
- Spread: Dallas +2 | Carolina -2
- Moneyline: Dallas +115 | Carolina -130
- Over/Under: Over 43.5 | Under 43.5
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
Cowboys vs Panthers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Despite a clear move to the Carolina side of this moneyline and spread, there has been buyback on Dallas multiple times this week.
- BetMGM opened Carolina -1.5 and is at -3 as of Friday afternoon, but they’ve also tested Carolina -1, and following a move to the Panthers -2.5 on Thursday, there was money on Dallas to return the number to -1.5. I don’t anticipate this Dallas +3 spread will be available Sunday.
- There has been similar action to the total for this game, with BetMGM opening at 42.5 and then testing 43.5 Thursday before returning to 43.
- As noted, both Dallas and Carolina have trended to the Over this season.
- 53% of Covers Consensus users are backing Carolina on the spread, while 60% are taking the Over.
Cowboys vs Panthers betting trend to know
The Dallas Cowboys have hit the moneyline in 6 of their last 11 away games (+4.85 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NFL betting trends for Cowboys vs. Panthers.
Cowboys vs Panthers game info
| Location: | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
| Date: | Sunday, 12-15, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Cowboys vs Panthers latest injuries
Cowboys vs Panthers weather
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