National Football League

NFL odds: How to bet Cowboys vs. Saints, point spread, more

Updated Dec. 2, 2021 4:59 p.m. ET

There will be a change at quarterback when the New Orleans Saints play host to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds on the matchup between the 7-4 Cowboys and 5-6 Saints on Thursday Night Football — the point spread, moneyline, total over/under and pick from our betting expert (with all NFL odds via FOX Bet).

Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints (8:20 p.m. ET Thursday, FOX)

Point spread: Cowboys -5 (Cowboys favored to win by more than 5 points, otherwise Saints cover)
Moneyline: Cowboys -213 favorites to win (bet $10 to win $14.69 total); Saints +175 underdogs to win (bet $10 to win $27.50 total)
Total scoring over/under: 48 points scored by both teams combined

The Saints, mired in a four-game losing streak, reportedly will start Taysom Hill at quarterback against the Cowboys.

That won't be the only major change for this game. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and three assistant coaches tested positive for COVID-19. McCarthy is vaccinated but must sit out the game against the Saints. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the former coach of the Atlanta Falcons, will be in charge Thursday.

Hill, who has been battling a foot issue, would replace Trevor Siemian, who replaced Jameis Winston who suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament on Oct. 31. The Saints have not won a game since.

Hill is one of the most versatile players in the NFL. The undrafted free agent has played quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver and on special teams.

In his NFL career, Hill is 101-for-142 passing (71.1 percent) for 1,103 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. Hill also has 171 rushing attempts for 913 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's caught 34 passes for 388 yards and seven touchdowns.

Alvin Kamara, who has already missed three games with a knee injury, is officially out for Thursday's game. Kamara has 728 yards on 120 carries with eight touchdowns.

"While I'm not a believer in his long-term staying power at quarterback, it's tough to defend a Taysom Hill-led offense with just a week to prepare for it," FOX Sports betting analyst Geoff Schwartz said. "The Saints will revert to running some wildcat runs with play-action pass mixed in. The Cowboys rank 18th against the run this season, so I'd expect the Saints to hammer the Cowboys between the tackles."

The Cowboys are also in a slump, losing their past two games and three of their previous four.

Dallas starting right tackle Terence Steele and rookie cornerback Nahshon Wright, a third-round pick, also tested positive for COVID-19 and are out. Defensive tackle Trysten Hill has been suspended for two games for punching Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman John Simpson after the game Sunday.

The Cowboys should get a boost from the expected return of receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was out with a concussion. Lamb has 50 catches for 740 yards and six touchdowns this season.

That is good news for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott is 261-for-376 passing (69.4 percent) for 2,932 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

There were reports the Cowboys were considering resting running back Ezekiel Elliott, who has a bruised right knee, but Elliott said that was not true and he intends to play.

Receiver Amari Cooper is "still not feeling the best," McCarthy said but is expected to return for the Cowboys after missing two games after testing positive for COVID-19.

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 17-13, but the Saints have won five of the past seven contests.

Team Trends

The Cowboys are 8-4 against the spread (ATS) this season.

The Cowboys have eight games with at least 400 yards in total offense this season, the most in the NFL.

The Cowboys have covered the spread in all three of their prime-time games this season.

The Saints have scored seven points or fewer in the first half in each of their six losses this season.

The Saints are 5-7 ATS this season.

The Saints have hit the over six times in 12 games.

Click here for the latest NFL odds on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app for everything you need in the sports betting world.

FOX Sports' Geoff Schwartz: "The Cowboys look lost. They've lost three of their last four, getting blown out at home by the Broncos, losing by 10 on the road to the Chiefs and then in overtime against the Raiders on Thanksgiving Day. I was high on the Cowboys as NFC contenders, but it appears they are fugazi like most seasons.

"It doesn't help that the Cowboys have a massive COVID-19 outbreak and are without multiple coaches and players for their Thursday matchup in New Orleans. So there's no way to trust them to cover this spread on the road when they are playing this poorly, especially against a Saints team that's fifth in overall defense and first at stopping the run.

"The Saints have lost three in a row, and they need this win to keep playoff hopes alive."

PICK: Saints (+5 on FOX Bet) to lose by 5 points or fewer (or win outright)

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