Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks Picks and Prediction for Saturday August 15 2026
The Dallas Cowboys visit the Seattle Seahawks for an NFL preseason matchup at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, with KING 5 carrying the game in Seattle and NFL+ providing out-of-market streaming. The Seahawks are 2.5-point favorites, Dallas is available at +2.5, and the total is set at 37.5. Seattle is approximately -154 on the moneyline, while the Cowboys are priced around +129. Football bettors can find additional analysis throughout the season by visiting our free NFL picks.
Seattle enters its preseason opener after winning Super Bowl LX, while Dallas begins its second season under head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Both teams have established starting quarterbacks who require little exhibition work, placing considerable importance on Joe Milton III, Will Grier, Drew Lock, and Jalen Milroe.
Dallas Has a Competitive Backup Quarterback Battle
Dak Prescott enters his 11th NFL season as the unquestioned starter. He has reportedly performed well during training camp and already possesses strong timing with Dallas’ established receivers. The Cowboys have little reason to expose him to unnecessary contact, particularly after receiving competitive work during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams.
Milton should receive a substantial opportunity after serving as Prescott’s primary backup during the 2025 season. His size, powerful arm, and mobility make him particularly appealing in preseason football, where protection can become unreliable after the starting offensive linemen leave.
Milton has already demonstrated that he can produce against NFL competition. During his final game with New England, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while adding another score on the ground. He also received limited opportunities with Dallas last season, giving him greater familiarity with Schottenheimer’s system.
Grier provides additional experience behind Milton. He has spent time with Dallas during multiple stages of his career and understands the organization’s terminology. Although he lacks Milton’s physical upside, his familiarity should help the Cowboys maintain a functional offense during the second half.
Dallas will also evaluate several running backs competing for defined roles. A steady rushing approach would reduce the pressure on Milton and Grier while allowing the coaching staff to assess its reserve offensive line. However, the quarterback competition should still create enough passing opportunities for both players to demonstrate their value.
Seattle Begins Its Super Bowl Defense
The Seahawks return under head coach Mike Macdonald after defeating New England in Super Bowl LX. Seattle possesses a settled roster, but the offense is adjusting to new coordinator Brian Fleury. That transition creates an important preseason evaluation period even if the established starters receive limited action.
Sam Darnold is secure as Seattle’s starting quarterback following a championship season. He could receive a brief appearance in the opener, but the Seahawks have little reason to keep him on the field once he establishes an early rhythm. The more meaningful repetitions should belong to Lock and Milroe.
Lock returned to Seattle with extensive regular-season experience and a strong understanding of the organization. He has started games for multiple NFL teams and should be comfortable attacking Dallas’ reserve defense with a simplified preseason plan. His experience gives Seattle a dependable option immediately behind Darnold.
Milroe remains one of the most intriguing developmental quarterbacks in the league. He possesses exceptional mobility and enters his second professional season with a full year of experience in Seattle’s system. His running ability could become particularly dangerous during the second half when both teams begin using younger defenders and reserve offensive linemen.
Seattle can use Milroe on designed runs, option concepts, and movement passes without revealing much of Fleury’s regular-season offense. Those plays can also create favorable scoring opportunities near the goal line, where his physical running style becomes difficult for reserve defenders to contain.
The Seahawks’ running-back depth has been affected by minor training-camp injuries, but they still possess enough options to maintain a balanced offense. Seattle should be able to protect its quarterbacks without becoming completely conservative.
Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks Picks and Prediction
- Pick: Seattle Seahawks -2.5
Seattle is the preferred side because Lock provides proven starting experience during the middle portion of the game, while Milroe’s mobility could give the Seahawks a decisive fourth-quarter advantage against Dallas’ reserve defense. Milton offers Dallas comparable athletic upside and could keep the Cowboys competitive, but Seattle possesses the more complete quarterback rotation and will be playing its first game at Lumen Field since winning the Super Bowl. With the spread remaining below a field goal, the Seahawks are the better choice to cover at home.
- Pick: Over 37.5
The over is the preferred total because both teams have capable reserve quarterbacks who can continue generating offense after Prescott and Darnold leave. Milton and Milroe can extend possessions with their legs, while Grier and Lock possess enough professional experience to operate simplified passing attacks. Fleury’s new Seattle offense and the reserve-heavy lineups could produce stalled possessions, but quarterback mobility can turn protection breakdowns into first downs or scoring opportunities. Both teams have a reasonable path to reaching 20 points.
Final Score Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 23, Dallas Cowboys 20