Do I love that Leighton Vander Esch is out? No, of course not, especially not against Saquon Barkley. But Sean Lee is a capable linebacker, and the Giants offense will be without Sterling Shepard, so there is one major loss on each side. The Cowboys are coming off a bye and more talented on both sides of the ball. I have Dallas as a 9-point favorite, and now that the spread is below the key number, I'm happy to roll with the Cowboys to be the only road team to win in Week 9.

The last time I saw the Cowboys in New York they were on a two-game losing streak and then got beat down by the Jets, more so than the 24-22 score suggests. But then they bounced back with a 37-10 win against the Eagles as if everything was all good. I’m still skeptical of the Cowboys, but I think the Giants' defensive woes will allow them to move the ball as they like. They have won and covered the last five against the Giants, but I think the best bet here is the over with the Giants generating a few scores. Over is the top play.

Amari Cooper was a full-go in practice late this week, and I'm expecting a huge game from the Dallas offense. The Cowboys are rested, plus they've covered five straight versus the Giants and 13 of their last 16 versus the NFC East. Lay it.

This used to be a close series, but the Cowboys have won handily in four of their last five, with the outlier being a Week 17 game they didn't need (but still won as big underdogs). Dallas' offense is No. 1 in DVOA and top three in both aspects of moving the ball, and they should roll against a defense that has allowed 27 points or more to everyone but Washington. The Cowboys defense is ninth in points per drive and top five in third down and red zone percentage, so I'll trust them to slow Daniel Jones and Co. With Dallas 8-3-1 in primetime since start of 2017, think this a great spot for them.

Coming off a bye week into a game against a division opponent is always a good thing. Dallas, which is 5-0 ATS in its last five meetings with New York, feels the urgency to keep winning because the Eagles are just one game back. Look for the Cowboys defense to force a few turnovers by rookie QB Daniel Jones on Monday night. Lay the points.