Cowboys @ Rams: What the experts predict about the game

Experts share their picks for the Cowboys week one game versus the Los Angeles Rams.

ProFootballTalk (Mike Florio): Cowboys 30, Rams 21

Four years after the Cowboys and Rams kicked of L.A. 2.0 with a packed house at the Coliseum, they’ll christen SoFi Stadium before a crowd of crickets. That actually could help the home team, because the place could have been overrun by Cowboys fans. It won’t help enough.

ProFootballTalk (Michael Smith): Cowboys 31, Rams 23

Dak Prescott will be on a mission to show this year that he deserves to be paid like an elite quarterback, and he’ll add a few million to his eventual long-term contract with a big showing on Sunday night.

Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer): Cowboys 31, Rams 24

The Cowboys won’t be traveling to Southern California to train in Oxnard ahead of this season so they will want to make amends for missing out on their L.A.-area fans. Dak Prescott doesn’t have his long-term contract, but he will still be focused and motivated to have another big year with an extra elite weapon in rookie wideout CeeDee Lamb. Mike McCarthy will leave a strong first impression with his offense and defense pumped for the new coach. McVay saw his team further gutted talent-wise and Prescott will easily outduel Jared Goff as Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey can do only so much against Dallas.

CBS Sports (Will Brinson): Rams 28, Cowboys 24

Dak Prescott is awesome, the Cowboys are stacked on offense and will win a bunch of games. But EVERYONE is betting on them. Ask anyone you know over the next 48 hours who will win this game and they’ll tell you the Cowboys. Sean McCoy ain’t no dummy, man. Take the Rams. And probably the under too.

NFL.com (Gregg Rosenthal): Rams 31, Cowboys 28

This game features two offenses with plenty of talent, continuity and track records of success. But the Cowboys have all the hype. That could change after Sunday night, especially when Al and Cris watch what Dallas’ offensive line looks like without right tackle La’el Collins. The once-proud Cowboys line is down to two difference-makers and three potential liabilities. It’s not like the Rams’ line is any better, but their offense looks deeper than it did a year ago with rookie wideout Van Jefferson making noise and two quality tight ends to test the Cowboys’ shaky secondary. The Rams would love to have fans in the house to open up their new stadium, but an upset win over America’s Team will have to suffice.

Los Angeles Times (Sam Farmer): Rams 30, Cowboys 28

The Rams cut ribbon on SoFi Stadium with a big win. Cowboys are struggling with injuries and the Rams could be sneaky on offense. Getting rid of Todd Gurley helps unlock weapons.

CBS Sports (Pete Prisco): Rams 21, Cowboys 17

The Cowboys seem to be loaded this season in Mike McCarthy’s first as the team’s coach. But this is a tough opener. The Rams were down last year, but Sean McVay will have them playing better this time around. It starts here. The Rams take it in a close one.