Cowboy Corner – Week 7 | Betting Advice

Guest Contributor — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:01:43 +0000

Sportsbooks like BetOnline.com are rapidly downgrading the Cowboys’ odds to win it all this season. Let’s face it – America’s Team is a “weak” 3-2 compared to, say, the Philadelphia Eagles, who have the same record. For the Cowboys to get taken seriously again as playoff contenders, they’ll have to overcome a tough test against the Falcons this weekend.

NFL Week 7 – ATLANTA FALCONS @ DALLAS COWBOYS
Sunday, October 25, 4:15 p.m. ET
Favorite: Cowboys -4

Cowboys offense vs Falcons defense

As defendants, the Falcons have been pushed around like scared criminals on their first day in prison when it comes to the running game. Atlanta allows close to 120 yards per game and the Cowboys, whose offensive bread and butter has arguably been the running game in 2009, should have a big day. The Cowboys will throw a bit of everything at the Atlanta D-line: Marion Barber for power, returning Felix Jones for explosiveness and versatile Tashard Choice for a bit of everything.

No quarterback has totally torched the Atlanta pass defense but everyone has at least moved the ball decently, so Tony Romo’s NFL odds of succeeding are solid. Atlanta’s pass rush is puppy-dog-weak, so Romo should have plenty of time to hit Miles Austin downfield, as he did against the Chiefs two weeks ago.

Cowboys defense vs Falcons offense

There’s definitely reason to panic here. The Cowboys rank in the NFL’s bottom half in total defense, run defense and especially pass defense. That’s after facing Tampa Bay, Carolina and Kansas City plus the Giants and Denver. Arguably, the Giants are the only prolific offense Dallas has played; the Broncos rock but have dominated primarily through defense. If the Cowboys struggle to stop weaker offenses, it’s scary to imagine what the high-octane Falcons can do.

The Cowboys have lost their pass rushing ability after leading the league in that regard last season. If any Joe Blow Fafone can throw on the Cowboys, Matt Ryan could put on a show with favorite targets Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White. If the Cowboys’ pass defense buckles down – and it has in recent weeks – Ryan can still hand off to bruising Michael Turner. Dallas needs its best defensive performance of the season to stay competitive.

Outlook

In this disappointing season, the Cowboys need to earn back our trust. Unfortunately, the Falcons look like a better football team right now – just like the Yankees’ World Series odds over the Angels. I think they’ll edge Dallas in a hard-fought affair this Sunday with Matt Ryan making the difference.

Spread provided by BetOnline.com

Dallas Cowboys vs Atlanta Falcons

Matt Lawrence — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:58:24 +0000

**UPDATE** WR Miles Austin will start over WR Patrick Crayton

The Dallas Cowboys are back in action this week after a productive bye week, yeah thats right the Cowboys had one of their most productive weeks of the season without even playing a game. Heading into the bye week the local and national media ripped the Cowboys because the barely squeaked out a win against the ailing Chiefs. While sloppy play against poor teams is nothing to celebrate the Cowboys are 3 – 2 – 0, and last time I checked a winning record is a good thing. The Cowboys had a productive week for two reasons, the first of these reasons is that all three of the running backs are healthy again heading into the week 7 match-up against the Atlanta Falcons. Dallas also made a roster move that will help the special teams as well as help ensure that Felix Jones stays healthy. The signing of Allen Rossum a 12 veteran return man should keep RB Felix Jones and WR Patrick Crayton off the field in return situations. This is great for the Cowboys because it limits Felix Jones exposure to big hits as well as offer an upgrade to Patrick Crayton. The second way the bye week was productive was in the standings is in the NFC East Standings, all of the other teams in the NFC East lost during the Cowboys bye week, and these losses were to some bad teams. The problems in Washington run deep and were not helped by the loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. The Eagles also lost to a team / organization with huge problems, the Oakland Raiders knocked off the Eagles. Last but definitely not least, the New York Football Giants got a drubbing by the New Orleans Saints high octane offense. After all of this the Cowboys sit tied with the Eagles for 2nd place in the NFC East 2 games behind the Giants.

This week the Dallas Cowboys will face the Atlanta Falcons in a game that will test the Cowboys at their Death Star in Arlington, TX. The Falcons have the offensive weapons to be a match-up nightmare and their defense is ranked 24th in the league, to put this in perspective the Cowboys are ranked 22nd in total defense.

Gameday Information:

Cowboys-Falcons Game Information
Cowboys – Falcons Game Time: 3:15 PM – Central Time
Cowboys – Falcons Day / Date: Sunday – October 25 2009
Cowboys – Falcons Location: Cowboys Stadium – Arlington TX
Cowboys – Falcons TV Channel: FOX
Cowboys – Falcons Announcers: Troy Aikman and Thom Brennaman
Cowboys – Falcons Betting:

Odds, Spread, Advice
Early Point Spread: Cowboys -4.5
Early Over-Under: 47
Our Pick: Take the over, both teams have great offenses and mediocre defenses, so this should be a shootout.

Tickets:

Cowboys Stadium Parking Information

Team Information

First a message to Wade and Jason Garrett:

Jason and Wade,
It is clear that you do not work in unison so I am sending a message to try and clear this up. Jason please run run run the ball the Falcons are ranked 23rd against the run and have lots of weapons on offense. If we run the ball we can keep those weapons off the field. Wade please be careful blitzing, QB Matt Ryan actually has a better passer rating when teams blitz.

Atlanta Falcons Team Information

Falcons Team Status: Young Team on the Rise
Falcons Record: 4 – 1 – 0
Falcons Record 2008: 11 – 5 – 0
Falcons Stars: QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White, TE Tony Gonzalez
Falcons Offense: 18th – 327.8 yards per game
Falcons Defense: 24th – 359.2 yards allowed per game
Falcons Injuries:

Brian Finneran WR – No Injury | Did Not Practice
Antoine Harris S – Knee | Did Not Practice
William Moore S – Hamstring | Did Not Practice
Ovie Mugheli RB – Calf | Did Not Practice
Jerious Norwood RB – Hip | Did Not Practice
Justin Peelle TE – Ankle | Limited Practice Participation
Michael Turner RB – Chest | Limited Practice Participation

Dallas Cowboys Team Information

Cowboys Team Status: Uncertain, but looks positive after the bye
Cowboys Record: 3 – 2 – 0
Cowboys Record 2008: 9 – 7 – 0
Cowboys Stars: QB Tony Romo, RB Marion Barber, TE Jason Witten, LB DeMarcus Ware
Cowboys Offense: 2nd – 420.4 yards per game
Cowboys Defense: 22nd – 357.8 yards allowed per game
Cowboys Injuries:

Marion Barber RB – Thigh | Full Practice Participation
Marc Colombo OT – Ankle | Full Practice Participation
Leonard Davis G – Thumb | Full Practice Participation
Andre Gurode C – Knee | Full Practice Participation
Michael Hamlin S – Wrist | Full Practice Participation
Curtis Johnson LB – Hamstring | Full Practice Participation
Felix Jones RB – Knee | Full Practice Participation
Gerald Sensabaugh S – Thumb | Full Practice Participation
DeMarcus Ware LB – Foot | Full Practice Participation
Roy Williams WR – Ribs | Full Practice Participation

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Cowboy Corner – Week 7 | Betting Advice

Dallas Cowboys vs Atlanta Falcons

Gameday Information:

Team Information