Cowboys vs. Chargers prediction, odds, time, line: 2024 NFL preseason Week 3 picks by expert on 23-7 roll

The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers close out their 2024 NFL preseason schedule on Saturday when they meet in Arlington, Texas. The Chargers, who finished fourth in the AFC West at 5-12 a year ago, have opened the preseason 0-2 after a 16-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and 13-9 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. The Cowboys, who won the NFC East at 12-5, lost a 13-12 decision to the Rams before rebounding with a 27-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Not many key starters on either team are expected to see the field.

Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is set for 4 p.m. ET. Dallas is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Chargers vs. Cowboys odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 33.5. Before making any Cowboys vs. Chargers picks or predictions, make sure you check out what SportsLine NFL expert Larry Hartstein has to say .

A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed while working for Pro Football Focus. Hartstein tied for 52nd place (out of 1,598 entries) in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, going 53-34-3 ATS. Those selections formed the basis of his SportsLine NFL best bets article, which finished 36-25-1.

In addition, Hartstein was 218-172-2 (+1181) on all NFL picks last season and is 23-7 on his last 30 picks involving the Cowboys, returning $1,515. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, Hartstein has zeroed in on Chargers vs. Cowboys. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks . Here are several NFL odds and NFL betting lines on the spread , money line , and over-under Chargers vs. Cowboys:

• Cowboys vs. Chargers spread: Dallas -3.5
• Cowboys vs. Chargers over/under: 33.5 points
• Cowboys vs. Chargers money line: Los Angeles +162, Dallas -195
• LAC: The Chargers have a -17 point differential in two preseason games this year
• DAL: The Cowboys were 8-0 at home during the regular season in 2023
• Cowboys vs. Chargers picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why the Cowboys can cover

Quarterback Trey Lance has made enough of an impression in camp to land a spot on the 53-man roster, and is expected to see a lot of action against the Chargers. In two preseason games, Lance has completed 40 of 64 attempts (62.5%) for 339 yards and one touchdown, and has rushed for 80 yards. In last Saturday's 27-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, he was 15 of 23 for 151 yards and a score. He hit Ryan Flournoy for a 1-yard TD with 1:11 left in the first half. He also rushed seven times for 34 yards and a score.

Flournoy is one of those players fighting for a roster spot and could be penciled in as the sixth wide receiver. He has six receptions for 31 yards in two games. He was a sixth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft from Southeast Missouri State. Last year for Southeast Missouri State, he caught 57 passes for 839 yards (14.7 average) and six touchdowns, including a long of 89 yards. See who to back at SportsLine .

Why the Chargers can cover

Los Angeles will likely continue to try to sort out its backup quarterback situation with both Easton Stick and Luis Perez expected to see action. Stick, who is expected to start at Dallas, has had mixed results in the Chargers' first two games. In the loss to Seattle, Stick was 5 of 13 for 31 yards and one interception. He improved slightly in the loss to the Rams, completing 8 of 13 passes for 85 yards and one interception.

Perez, who led the United Football League in passing this past spring, has yet to seize the moment as well. In the loss to the Seahawks, Perez was 5 of 12 for 61 yards. He followed that up with a 13-for-20 performance for 78 yards against the Rams. In 10 games for Arlington of the UFL, Perez was 225 of 336 (67%) for 2,310 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was picked off four times. See who to back at SportsLine .

How to make Chargers vs. Cowboys picks

For Saturday's matchup, Hartstein is leaning Under the total, but he also says a critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine .

Who wins Chargers vs. Cowboys on Saturday, and which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see Saturday's Chargers vs. Cowboys picks, all from the expert on a 23-7 roll on picks involving Dallas .