The Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys face off in the final week of NFL preseason action before the 2022 season kicks off.
This will be an intriguing matchup with Seattle's starting quarterback job still up in the air between Geno Smith and Drew Lock. With Dallas expected to rest almost all of its starters, the line has grown to favor the Seahawks as 7-point chalk as they head to AT&T Stadium for Friday's game.
Here are our best free NFL betting picks and predictions for Seahawks vs. Cowboys on August 26.
Seahawks vs Cowboys odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
This line hit the board with the Seahawks as 2.5-point favorites with the Over/Under at 40. With this game meaning more to the Seahawks due to their starting QB battle, the line has grown to Seattle -7 with the total ticking down to 37.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full NFL odds before placing your bets.
Seahawks vs Cowboys predictions
Predictions made on 8/25/2022 at 1 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Seahawks vs Cowboys game info
• Location: AT&T Stadium, Dallas, TX
• Date: Friday, August 26, 2022
• Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NFL Network
Seahawks at Cowboys betting preview
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Betting trend to know
The Over is 4-1 in the Seahawks' last 5 games on fieldturf. Find more NFL betting trends for Seahawks vs. Cowboys.
Seahawks vs Cowboys picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
In their first preseason game, Lock and Smith combined to complete 70% of their passes for 203 yards and a pair of scores, but the defense was shredded for 409 yards in a 32-25 loss to the Steelers. Last week Lock was sidelined with COVID-19 and Smith split time with Jacob Eason in a 27-11 defeat to the Bears.
The Cowboys fell 17-7 to the Broncos in their preseason opener and bounced back with a 32-18 victory against the Chargers last Saturday. That win was due to their special teams and defense with KaVontae Turpin exploding for a pair of touchdown returns — and their stop unit forcing two turnovers with three sacks while limiting the Bolts to 4.3 yards per play.
While the Seahawks will lean on Smith and Lock, the rest of Seattle's lineup will likely be filled by guys fighting to just stay on the roster.
Starting running back Rashaad Penny and receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett haven't played this preseason, while second-round Kenneth Walker III is out with a hernia injury so it isn't like either QB will have playmakers to utilize.
Dallas might not have any competition for its No. 1 QB gig but the backup battle between Will Grier and Cooper Rush is very real. Grier is a former third-round draft pick and he looked very sharp in preseason action for the Panthers last year while completing 6 of 10 passes for 98 yards in his lone preseason game this season.
Rush has taken plenty of reps in each of the past three preseasons and he started his first NFL game last year, completing 24 of 40 passes for 325 yards and a pair of scores in Week 8 against the Vikings.
Both look like solid backup options and should be able to move the ball in an exhibition game, especially against a Seattle defense that has been shredded in preseason action. I'll grab the home side with the points.
Prediction: Cowboys +7 (-110 at bet365)
Over/Under analysis
The Cowboys needed a pair of special teams touchdowns to hit 32 points last week, but should have more success on offense against this porous Seattle defense.
Keep in mind that Seattle was torched both on the ground and through the air against the Steelers in its preseason opener. Rush and Grier both flashed last week and RBs Malik Davis and Rico Dowdle will pick up chunks against a Seattle stop-unit that has been missing way too many tackles.
Via @PFF, the Seahawks had 14 missed tackles against the Bears. And, well, that's at least down from the 15 against the Steelers. Here's the tally: Blair 4, Mafe 2, Iyiegbuniwe 2, Nwosu 2, Dublanko 2, Robinson 1, Bryant 1.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) August 20, 2022
That said, the Seahawks' offense should also to able to put up points with Lock and Smith at the helm. Carroll will certainly be putting extra emphasis on preparation and play calling as he looks to decide on a starter, and if they can't get it done in the preseason, that doesn't bode well for the upcoming regular season. I'm leaning towards the Over here.
Prediction: Over 37.5 (-110 at SportsInteraction)
Best bet
This line seems to be placing a bit too much weight on Lock and Smith battling for the starting QB job.
Neither passer has been that impressive in the preseason so far and there aren't a whole lot of other starting spots up for competition for the Seahawks. Not to mention that the rest of Seattle's roster has been subpar — especially on the defensive side of the ball.
The Cowboys are more competitive on defense with several rotation spots up for grabs and their quarterback platoon of Grier and Rush is more than good enough to pick up yards against second and third-stringers. A touchdown is too much to spot them in this spot.
Pick: Cowboys +7 (-110 at bet365)
