Cowboy Corner – Betting Advice – Week 14

COWBOY CORNER – WEEK 14

Sportsbook bettors and Cowboy fans shared the sting of defeat last week. What happened? Everything pointed to a Dallas win over the broken New York Giants. Instead, Brandon Jacobs shocked America’s Team with his 74-yard touchdown catch. Dallas will try to pick up the pieces this week but it won’t be easy against the San Diego Chargers, who have won 15 straight December games.

Week 14

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ DALLAS COWBOYS

Sunday, December 13, 4:15 p.m. ET

Favorite: Cowboys -3

Cowboys offense vs Chargers defense

Last week we discussed Tony Romo’s historical struggles in December. Against the Giants on December 6, however, the hex was nowhere to be found. Romo threw for a career-high 392 yards and three touchdowns. He and the Cowboy passing attack weren’t the problem. How will Dallas fare against the Chargers’ No. 8 pass defense? It’s tough to say, as the Chargers normally defend the pass well but let Brady Quinn of all people light them up for multiple scores last week.

Romo and the Chargers may battle to a stalemate. NFL odds suggest Romo may score a few big plays with Miles Austin but that the Chargers will also force a turnover or two. Dallas’ better option may be to focus on the running game, as the Chargers allow 117.8 rushing yards per contest – more than any other NFL team with a winning record this season. Dallas’ committee approach yields no stars between Marian Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard choice but the trio has combined to give the ’Boys the league’s No. 8 rushing attack.

Cowboys defense vs Chargers offense

We have to favor San Diego’s offense in this matchup. Phil Rivers simply doesn’t make many mistakes; he’s thrown just six interceptions all season and has none in his last four games versus seven touchdown passes. The Chargers’ No. 6 passing attack has sizzled of late – particularly through the Rivers-to-Antonio Gates connection. The Cowboys are just so-so against the pass so they may have trouble holding Rivers down. The Chargers don’t run too much anymore, only really handing off to LaDainian Tomlinson in scoring situations. If the Cowboys can stake an out an early lead and force San Diego to pass, they’ll have to hope their pass rush does a better job than it did against Eli Manning last week.

Outlook

With Romo possibly shedding his December jinx and the Cowboy runners poised for a big day against the Chargers, America’s Team has a good chance in this one, especially at home. However, it’s tough to ignore San Diego’s momentum – seven straight wins this season and 15 straight in December are impressive.

In the end, I like Dallas to pull it out and sports betting sharps should agree. Four of San Diego’s seven straight wins came against Kansas City (twice), Oakland and Denver. Winning on the road against a healthy Dallas team is another story. I like the Cowboys’ more balanced offense to make the difference in this one. They’re good football picks for Week 14.