Sports Betting Odds & Lines : NFL SEP 15

1. In their last encounter on December 2, 2021, the Dallas Cowboys triumphed over the New Orleans Saints with a score of 27-17.

This Sunday, Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs will make his much-anticipated return to AT&T Stadium after nearly a year away. Diggs and the Cowboys are set to face off against the New Orleans Saints, both teams coming in with a 1-0 record. This marks Diggs' first game at home since September 17, 2023, when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during practice just days later, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.

After a rigorous rehabilitation process, Diggs made his comeback in Week 1, celebrating his return with his 19th career interception as the Cowboys dominated the Cleveland Browns, winning 33-17.

"It felt amazing," Diggs expressed. "The emotions were running high. I really missed being out there with my teammates. Competing again felt incredible. I'm getting comfortable, and for Game 2, I plan to be even better. It's all about improving every day and every game."

Should Diggs intercept Saints quarterback Derek Carr on Sunday, he would join an elite group of cornerbacks, becoming the fourth since 1990 to achieve 20 interceptions in his first 50 games. The others in this exclusive club include Hall of Famer Ed Reed (21 interceptions), Richard Sherman (20), and Marcus Peters (20).

Carr had a stellar performance in the Saints' previous game, throwing three touchdown passes and guiding New Orleans to score on nine straight drives in a commanding 47-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Following that, the team quickly shifted focus to prepare for Hurricane Francine.

"Our game preparation remained consistent; we just started it a bit earlier," Carr noted.

Late-week practices faced uncertainty, as head coach Dennis Allen mentioned. While reviewing the Cowboys' defensive performance against the Browns, where they recorded an impressive 24 quarterback hurries against Deshaun Watson, Carr acknowledged the talent of the Dallas defense. He specifically highlighted pass rusher Micah Parsons, stating, "You watch the tape, and he reminds me of Von Miller with that explosiveness and quickness off the line. He’s a player you need to locate before the snap."

1. The last encounter on September 13, 2021, saw the Baltimore Ravens face off against the Las Vegas Raiders, with the Raiders emerging victorious at 33-27.

BALTIMORE -- Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens has indicated that Derrick Henry won't be the type of player to receive the ball 30 times a game. However, he is expected to have ample chances to make an impact against the Las Vegas Raiders in their Week 2 clash this Sunday.

In the season opener, Henry struggled in a 27-20 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, managing just 46 yards on 13 carries, including a 5-yard touchdown. The Raiders, on the other hand, surrendered 176 rushing yards in their Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, which may prompt the Ravens to test Las Vegas' defensive line.

For the Raiders, the focus will be on containing Lamar Jackson, the league's premier dual-threat quarterback, who accounted for 395 total yards (122 rushing, 273 passing) of the Ravens' 452 yards against Kansas City.

Jackson missed practice on Monday but returned on Wednesday, and he was not listed on the injury report, easing concerns for the Ravens as they prepare for the Raiders.

"He's as dynamic as they come," said Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins about Jackson. "He embodies the dual-threat concept and poses a significant challenge for any defense. Coach Graham will put together a solid game plan to limit his impact, but facing him is always a different story. I have faith in our players, coaches, and our overall strategy."

The Ravens aim to diversify their offensive approach, moving away from an over-reliance on the run game that led the NFL in rushing yards last season. The combination of Jackson and Henry is expected to create challenging matchups for the Raiders.

Nonetheless, Harbaugh is keen on establishing a potent aerial attack featuring wide receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor, complemented by two of the league's top tight ends.

3. Last Encounter (Nov 19, 2023) N.Y. Giants 31, Washington 19

If New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had the chance to play against Washington every week, he might just secure a spot in the Hall of Fame.

In his seven matchups against this NFC East foe, Jones boasts a record of 5-1-1, throwing for 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions, while maintaining a passer rating of 98.0.

As the Giants (0-1) prepare to take on the Commanders (0-1) this Sunday in Landover, Md., they aim to extend their winning streak against Washington, led by Jones.

A visit to the D.C. area could be just what Jones needs after facing boos from the crowd during the Giants' 28-6 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings last week.

Making his return after ACL surgery in November, Jones struggled, throwing two interceptions, including a pick-six, and getting sacked five times. He completed 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards, finishing with a passer rating of 44.3, one of the lowest among NFL starters.

This week, Giants coach Brian Daboll has been fielding numerous questions about Jones, focusing on the team's overall performance. 

"I think we all have room for improvement," Daboll stated.

Jones' impressive record against Washington stands out, especially since he has only managed two wins against any other NFL team, holding a 17-36 record against the rest of the league.

"Everyone is supporting Daniel," said Giants guard Jon Runyan Jr. "He’s been here all offseason, putting in the effort."

On the other hand, Washington's rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels faces significantly less pressure. He was one of the few positives in the Commanders' 37-20 loss to Tampa Bay.

Daniels, the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, completed 17 of 24 passes for 184 yards and led the team in rushing with 88 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

While his rushing stats were impressive, Commanders coach Dan Quinn emphasized that many of Daniels' runs were not part of the game plan.

"We want him to prioritize passing, and I believe he’s on the right track."