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The Arizona Cardinals are looking to stick it to their old NFC East rivals when they visit AT&T Stadium to take on the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. The teams played in the East together for more than 30 years before realignment for the 2002 season moved the Cardinals to the NFC West. The Cowboys hold a 56-32-1 mark all-time, including a 32-11 record in Dallas. Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray and top receiver DeAndre Hopkins make a potent combination, while Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton has plenty of talent all around him as he replaces the injured Dak Prescott (ankle). 

Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Dallas is a one-point favorite in the latest Cardinals vs. Cowboys NFL odds from William Hill, while the over-under is 55. Before making any Cowboys vs. Cardinals picks, be sure to see the latest Monday Night Football predictions from SportsLine expert Zack Cimini. 

Cimini is a highly respected Las Vegas handicapper who's never afraid to buck conventional wisdom. He also has an uncanny feel for the tendencies of both of these teams, going 6-1 on his last seven picks involving the Cardinals and 14-4 on against the spread picks for or against Arizona or Dallas. Anyone who has consistently followed him is way up. 

Now, he has studied Cardinals vs. Cowboys from every angle and released a confident against-the-spread pick. You can only see it here. Here are the NFL odds and betting trends for Cowboys vs. Cardinals:

  • Cardinals vs. Cowboys spread: Dallas -1
  • Cardinals vs. Cowboys over-under: 55 points
  • Cardinals vs. Cowboys money line: Dallas -120, Arizona +100
  • ARI: QB Kyler Murray has at least one TD pass in nine straight games.
  • DAL: Rookie WR CeeDee Lamb has at least five catches in every game this season.

Why the Cardinals can cover

Hopkins and Murray both have the speed to exploit the struggling Dallas defense. Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Murray has thrown for 1,299 yards and run for 265 while accounting for 13 touchdowns. Hopkins, acquired in an offseason trade with the Texans, led the league in both receptions (45) and yards (528) entering the week, and 29 of his receptions have gone for first downs. 

Veteran Larry Fitzgerald, with 18 catches for 123 yards, Christian Kirk, and Andy Isabella also are reliable options for Murray.

The Cardinals are 8-2-2 against the spread in their last 12 road games, and the defense has been hit with injuries but ranks 10th in the league in total yards allowed (346.6) and fifth against the pass (222.4). A secondary with cornerback Patrick Peterson and safety Budda Baker can make game-changing plays. 

Why the Cowboys can cover

Dallas is likely to lean on running back Ezekiel Elliott with Prescott out. The fifth-year pro has rushed for 364 yards and is third on the team with 24 catches for 173 yards. He also leads Big D in scoring with six touchdowns. Dalton went 70-61-2 in his nine seasons with the Bengals and led the winning drive against New York, with a 38-yard completion to Michael Gallup to set up the winning field goal.

Gallup is one of numerous top receiving options for the Cowboys, who are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games as home underdogs. The wideout had 57 of his 73 yards on the final drive, while rookie CeeDee Lamb had 124 yards on eight catches. No. 1 option Amari Cooper had just two catches in the game but has a team-high 39 for 424 yards. The defense is yielding 404.4 yards per game but a rejuvenated Aldon Smith, who has four sacks, could give Murray trouble. 

How to make Cardinals vs. Cowboys picks

Cimini is leaning Over on the total, but his much stronger play is on the spread. He's found a critical X-factor that makes one side of the spread hit hard on Monday. He's only sharing it at SportsLine. 

Who wins Cowboys vs. Cardinals on Monday Night Football? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Cardinals vs. Cowboys spread you should jump on Monday, all from the expert who's 14-4 on picks involving Arizona or Dallas.