The Dallas Cowboys lost their opener, and the blame game has started. But the smart money isn’t on the team spread. It is on one specific player prop that the owner himself says should be easy. George Pickens is the only bet that makes sense for Week 2.
Owner Jerry Jones did not mince words after the loss to the New York Giants. Five days following the 28-20 loss, he addressed the K&C Masterpiece on 105.3 The Fan. Jones pointed out that Pickens had moments in that game that were simple for him to handle. “For whatever the reason, George had a couple of plays that are a piece of cake for him to make,” Jones said. He noted that these plays are usually superhuman for others, but Pickens makes them look routine. The drops were glaring because the team had so few chances to score.
The Washington Mismatch Is Real
Betting on Pickens to clear 70 receiving yards is the right move against Washington. The Commanders gave up 165 rushing yards to the Philadelphia Eagles, but their secondary is the real weak link here. Pickens may face cornerback Mike Sainristil, and that is a clear advantage for the receiver. Blogging The Boys noted that the Cowboys need more possessions to fix their offense. They had only two possessions after halftime in the last game. A better start against a below-average secondary means more targets for Pickens.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer is not worried about the receiver’s confidence. He said he does not say anything to George because he will be just fine. The coach described Pickens’ usual style of play vividly. “He’s going to usually catch that ball going down the sideline and probably pull through it, then jump over people and spin and then jump into the end zone,” Schottenheimer said. That kind of playmaking is exactly what the offense needs to get back on track.
Why The Prop Beat The Spread
The Cowboys are playing a division rival, which makes this week urgent for everyone on the roster. Pickens knows the pressure is on to limit mistakes and make the big plays. He told reporters on Wednesday that he knows what he is capable of. “It’s football. You’re gonna have some here, you’re gonna have some there,” Pickens said. But the stats from last season show he is a proven star. In 2025, he reached new career peaks by securing 93 catches, totaling 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl and was named a second-team All-Pro.
The betting preview from Blogging The Boys lists Pickens at 70+ receiving yards with odds of +116. That value is there because the market is still reacting to the Week 1 drop. The team needs more tries at it to win. If the offense gets more snaps, Pickens hits the number. The odds are in your favor when the owner calls the missed plays “piece of cake” moments. Trust the talent, not the noise from last Sunday.
