Dallas Cowboys Large Favorite (-7.5+) Betting Trend
ATS Record, ROI Analysis & Historical Performance Data (2014-2024)
The data suggests caution when backing the Dallas Cowboys in this spot. Since 2014, when playing as large favorite (-7.5+), the Dallas Cowboys are just 5-18-0 against the spread. That's a 0.0% win rate and a -58.5% ROI. Sharp bettors have found value fading this situation—the opposite side would have returned +58.5%.
Year-by-Year Performance
| Season | Record | Win % | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1-0-0 | 0.0% | +90.9% |
| 2015 | 0-4-0 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2016 | 0-1-0 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2017 | 0-1-0 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2019 | 0-2-0 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2021 | 1-3-0 | 0.0% | -52.3% |
| 2022 | 1-3-0 | 0.0% | -52.3% |
| 2023 | 1-0-0 | 0.0% | +90.9% |
| 2024 | 1-4-0 | 0.0% | -61.8% |
Why This Trend Exists
The Cowboys' struggles as large favorites stem from a combination of organizational arrogance and tactical inflexibility that has plagued the franchise for decades. When Dallas enters games with significant point spreads, they often approach opponents with a sense of entitlement that leads to sloppy preparation and unfocused execution. This mentality manifests in predictable play-calling, where the Cowboys rely too heavily on their perceived talent advantage rather than maintaining the strategic discipline that made them favorites in the first place. Dallas has historically struggled with what psychologists call "outcome bias" – assuming victory is inevitable based on talent differentials rather than game-specific preparation. Their coaching staff tends to become conservative with large leads, abandoning the aggressive approaches that built those advantages. The team's high-profile nature also creates additional pressure in prime-time spots where large spreads are most common, as players often press to make highlight-reel plays rather than execute fundamental football. Smart bettors should view Dallas as a fade candidate when laying significant points, particularly in divisional games where motivated underdogs have extra incentive to compete. This trend carries the most weight during December games when playoff implications amplify both the pressure on Dallas and the motivation of their opponents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dallas Cowboys's ATS record as large favorite (-7.5+)?
The Dallas Cowboys have a 5-18-0 ATS record as large favorites (-7.5+) from 2014-2024. This represents a 21.7% ATS win rate over 23 games.
Is betting on the Dallas Cowboys as large favorite (-7.5+) profitable?
No, betting on the Dallas Cowboys as large favorites has been extremely unprofitable with a -58.5% ROI. They have failed to cover the spread in 78% of games when favored by 7.5+ points.
How does this compare to the league average?
This performance is significantly worse than the league average, where teams typically cover around 50% of spreads as large favorites. The Cowboys' 21.7% ATS rate as big favorites is among the worst in the NFL during this period.
FADE This Trend
The data suggests fading this situation has been profitable. Compare odds to find the best value on the other side.
Compare Sportsbook OddsMethodology
All trends in The Archives are calculated from official game results and closing point spreads from 2014 to 2024. ROI assumes a flat $100 bet at standard -110 juice. Win rate is calculated as wins divided by total decisions (pushes excluded). A minimum of 10 games is required for a trend to be published. Data is sourced from The Odds API and verified against official league records.