Cowboys vs. Rams prediction, odds, time, line: 2024 NFL preseason ...

The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams will square off Sunday to wrap up the NFL preseason Week 1 schedule. Both teams' starters will rest in this matchup, so the backups will be getting the bulk of action. These teams have linked up 38 times in history, with Dallas leading the all-time series, 20-18. In 2023, Dallas was first in the league in scoring offense (29.9). On the other side, Los Angeles was eighth in points per game (23.8). Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium. Dallas is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Cowboys vs. Rams odds from FanDuel. The over/under for total points is 34.5. Before making any Rams vs. Cowboys picks or NFL preseason predictions, you need to see what SportsLine NFL expert Larry Hartstein has to say.

A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed working for Pro Football Focus. He tied for 52nd place (out of 1,598 entries) in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, going 53-34-3 ATS. Hartstein's weekly Vegas contest selections form the basis of his NFL best bets column, which is 79-48-2 (62.2%, +25.95 units) since its inception in 2022. Furthermore, Hartstein is on a 23-7 roll on Cowboys sides picks (+1515) Anyone who has followed his NFL picks is way up.

Now, Hartstein has set his sights on Cowboys vs. Rams and just locked in his picks and NFL preseason predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Now, here are several NFL odds and NFL betting lines for Rams vs. Cowboys:

• Cowboys vs. Rams spread: Dallas -3.5
• Cowboys vs. Rams over/under: 34.5 points
• Cowboys vs. Rams money line: Dallas -170, Los Angeles +145
• DAL: Cowboys were ranked fifth in the NFL in total offense (371.6) in 2023
• LAR: Los Angeles was 10th in passing offense (239) last season
• Cowboys vs. Rams picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why the Cowboys can cover

Cowboys stars like Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons will sit out of this matchup. This will give backups like Trey Lance a chance to showcase their skills. Last August, the Cowboys traded for the young signal-caller with hopes he'll be a player for the future. Lance owns a strong throwing arm and has the athleticism to make some plays with his feet.

Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert could make a jump this year, starting with the preseason. Tolbert has the length and speed to stretch the field verticality. Last season, the South Alabama product finished with 22 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns. See which team to pick here.

Why the Rams can cover

Linebacker Jared Verse was the Rams' first-round pick in 2024 and will get a taste of his first NFL action. Verse owns the speed and power to get past offensive lineman. Over the last two seasons at Florida State, he finished with 29.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks.

In addition, Safety Kamren Kinchens has the versatility to play in multiple schemes with a nose for the ball. Across three seasons at Miami University, he finished with 162 total tackles, 15 pass deflections, and 11 interceptions. Defensive tackle Tyler Davis was the sixth-round pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Davis has a quick get-off and can penetrate the backfield consistently. In his collegiate career at Clemson, he had 144 total tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks. He will be the main backup behind Bobby Brown III and will try to get a positive start to the 2024 season. See which team to pick here.

How to make Rams vs. Cowboys picks

Hartstein is leaning Under the point total, but he has unearthed critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.

Who wins Cowboys vs. Rams, and which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Rams vs. Cowboys spread hits hard, all from the expert who is on a 23-7 roll on picks involving the Cowboys, and find out.