Expert Picks & Promo: Cowboys, Clippers & Sabres Highlight Monday’s Best Bets with DraftKings
Table of Contents
New users at DraftKings Sportsbook can capitalize on a lucrative promotion: $200 in bonus bets and three months of NBA League Pass, simply by placing a winning $5 wager. As Monday’s slate of games unfolds, a data-driven model identifies compelling opportunities across the NFL, NBA, and NHL, offering potential payouts for savvy bettors. Here’s a breakdown of the top picks, powered by a model boasting a $7,000+ return for $100 bettors on NFL selections since its inception and a 47-32 record on top-rated picks dating back to 2024.
Monday Night Football: Cowboys Favored to Cover Against Raiders
The Dallas Cowboys are heavily favored to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football, with the model projecting a Cowboys cover as 3.5-point favorites (-108 odds). While the Cowboys experienced recent setbacks with losses to the Broncos (44-24) and Cardinals (27-17), the team benefited from a bye week to refine their game plan. The Raiders, meanwhile, struggle defensively, ranking 20th in the league in scoring defense (24.4 points per game allowed) and conceding 30+ points in two of their last three contests.
The model anticipates the Raiders will be unable to match Dallas’ offensive output, even at average performance levels. Las Vegas currently ranks 31st in scoring, averaging a mere 15.4 points per game. According to simulations, the Cowboys are projected to cover the spread in 57% of scenarios.
NBA Action: Clippers Positioned to Upset 76ers
Despite injury challenges, the Clippers are identified as a strong value play, positioned to cover as 5.5-point underdogs (+5.5, -112 odds) against the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams are navigating significant injury concerns; the 76ers will be without Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr., while Paul George is listed as questionable for the Clippers.
The Clippers, initially aiming for a “Big Three” of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Bradley Beal, have been hampered by Beal’s season-ending hip injury and Leonard’s limited availability due to a foot injury. However, James Harden has stepped up, averaging 26 points and nine assists, supported by Ivica Zubac’s consistent 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Harden’s recent form, averaging 39 points over his last two games, further strengthens the Clippers’ position. The 76ers have lost two of their last three games and have failed to cover a 5.5-point spread in their recent matchups. The model forecasts the Clippers to cover in 67% of simulations.
NHL Upset Potential: Sabres to Challenge Oilers
An intriguing NHL matchup sees the Buffalo Sabres as a compelling pick, projected to cover a +1.5 spread (-198 odds) against the Edmonton Oilers. According to SportsLine expert Matt Severance, this presents a “trap game” scenario for Edmonton, fresh off a potential Stanley Cup Finals preview against Carolina and facing Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals next.
Severance notes the Oilers’ struggles on the road (4-6-2) and highlights Buffalo’s improved home form (5-3-2), particularly following the return of captain and blueliner Rasmus Dahlin from a personal leave. Dahlin’s presence significantly boosted the Sabres’ performance in their recent game against Detroit.
Parlay Potential: +448 Payout with DraftKings
Combining these three selections – Cowboys (-3.5), Clippers (+5.5), and Sabres (+1.5) – into a Monday parlay at DraftKings Sportsbook yields a potential payout of +448, meaning a $100 wager could return $448 in winnings.
Looking for More Picks?
Beyond these highlighted selections, the model provides data-driven picks across a wide range of sports, including college basketball, college football, and more, all based on simulations of 10,000 game iterations.
