Dallas at Los Angeles

Dallas has a game under its belt, topping Arizona in the opener, 20-18. As usual, it was a conservative game plan, running more times than passing. Dallas RBs ran 37 times but averaged just 3.4 ypc. Rookie QB Cooper Rush saw second half action, playing well, and will get snaps again. The Dallas defense was strong up front with 2 sacks, allowing 88 yards rushing, just 3.3 ypc. Arizona was 4-of-11 on third down. They faced a veteran QB in Blaine Gabbart most of the night, but that's not the case this week against the rebuilding Rams. The Rams have a new coach and offensive playbook, and go with QBs Jared Goff, Sean Mannion and Dan Orlovsky. The offensive line is still uncertain, as Coach Sean McVay made changes last week: the Rams flipped Jamon Brown, who went to right guard, and Rob Havenstein, who went to right tackle.  The Rams are carrying 14 receivers in training camp, but not one of them has proven to be a consistent deep target on the outside.  They were so shallow on receivers recently that they were forced to sign three new ones in a span of two days: K.D. Cannon (Baylor), C.J. Germany (Notre Dame), and Justin Thomas (Georgia Tech). They now have 14 receivers on the roster, 11 of whom are first or second-year players. It was evident at a recent practice against the Chargers when the vast majority of Goff's completions traveled 10 yards or fewer, with a sizable amount coming after play-action rollouts. Receivers like Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Pharoh Cooper thrive in the short-to-intermediate passing game, as do tight ends like Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett. The Rams have more established talent and depth on defense and have added longtime defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Los Angeles is 0-5 ATS in Week 1 of preseason and has far too much to work on with the offense. Meanwhile, a year ago Dallas walked all over the Rams in the first half in Week 1 of the preseason, leading 24-7. In Week 2 they played their starters more and crushed Miami, 41-14. Back the team playing its second game in a defensive battle. Play Dallas and the UNDER.