2026 NFL Odds: Back Cowboys to Shine; Fade Cardinals' Win Total

May 21, 2026 - 22:39

As the 2025 NFL season fades into the rearview mirror, betting markets are already sharpening their focus on 2026. FOX Sports betting analyst Geoff Schwartz has identified two win total bets that stand out to him for the upcoming campaign. One team he sees as a prime candidate to outperform expectations. The other, a squad he believes is being overvalued by oddsmakers.

Schwartz is high on the Dallas Cowboys. After a disappointing 2025 season that fell well short of Super Bowl aspirations, the Cowboys are drawing skepticism from the betting public. But Schwartz views this as an opportunity. He points to the team's core talent, particularly on offense, and a schedule that should be more favorable. He expects the Cowboys to rebound and clear their projected win total, which has been set lower than in previous years due to their recent struggles. The return of key players from injury and a renewed focus in the locker room are factors he believes will drive Dallas back toward double-digit wins.

On the other side of the coin, Schwartz advises bettors to fade the Arizona Cardinals. While the Cardinals showed flashes of promise in 2025, Schwartz argues their win total for 2026 has been inflated by those moments. He questions the consistency of the roster, especially on defense, and notes that the team's division remains highly competitive. He sees a ceiling on how many games Arizona can realistically win, making the under on their projected total a more sensible play. For Schwartz, the Cardinals are a team that looks better on paper than they perform on the field, and he expects that gap to cost bettors who buy into the hype.