Cowboys Corner – Week 12 Betting

With NFL odds for the Thanksgiving action already posted and our Dallas Cowboys in action this Thursday as they always are at this time of year, Cowboy Corner arrives early this week. The Cowboys barely escaped the Washington Redskins; will they be sharper against an Oakland team fresh off a massive upset win over Cincinnati?

Week 12

OAKLAND RAIDERS @ DALLAS COWBOYS

Thursday, November 26, 4:15 p.m. ET

Favorite: Cowboys -13.5

Cowboys offense vs Raiders defense

True Cowboy fans were happy to just see the Cowboys get the “W” but sports betting fans sure weren’t happy; the Cowboys scored just seven points and questions are starting to pop up again about Tony Romo’s ability to lead this team down the stretch. Romo’s career quarterback rating is higher for November than for any other month – 106.0 over the last three seasons with 30 touchdowns and 11 picks over 12 games. December is the bane of Romo’s existence – a 69.0 rating and eight touchdowns versus 11 picks over eight games during the last three seasons.

This season, however, Romo may be starting his annual slide early. Facing strong pass defenses from Green Bay, Philadelphia and Washington over the past three weeks, he’s thrown just three touchdown passes. The Raiders defend the pass better than many people expect, ranking 12^th in the NFL. Nnamdi Asomugha can shut pretty much anyone down and won’t have trouble with the enigmatic Miles Austin or Roy Williams depending on who his assignment is.

To up its sportsbook odds, America’s Team will have to run the ball – something they’ve done well of late through Marion Barber and Felix Jones.

Cowboys defense vs Raiders offense

Despite the Cowboys’ anemic offense run, the defense is holding strong, as Dallas has allowed more than 21 points just once this year and held the Redskins to six points last week. Against the mobile Jason Campbell last week, the Cowboys didn’t blitz like crazy and their game plan worked. Bruce Gradkowski’s footwork is underrated – he doesn’t take off like Campbell but he does move around a lot – so Dallas may use a similar strategy against him.

Quantity doesn’t equal quality in the Oakland backfield; none of Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush scares Dallas, which ranks seventh in the league in run defense.

Outlook

Most people planning their Thanksgiving Thursday or making their NFL picks were probably disappointed to hear Dallas was hosting the anemic Raiders on Thursday but they may be in for a surprise. Because of their solid pass defense, Oakland may keep this game closer than people expect. Dallas should still pull out the win in the end, though; Cowboys Stadium will give them a boost.

Cowboy Corner Week 11 | Betting Odds Spread

COWBOY CORNER – WEEK 11

The strange NFL betting trend continues, as my endorsement of the Cowboys against Green Bay last week once again amounted to a Dallas loss. Time for a change; I once again like the Cowboys’ chances this week but, against Washington, the Cowboys will make good and end my football predictions slump.

Week 11

WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ DALLAS COWBOYS

Sunday, November 22, 1:00 p.m. ET

Favorite: Cowboys -11

Cowboys offense vs Redskins defense

Facing an elite Packers pass defense last week, Tony Romo and the Cowboys showed that they’re beatable. Now, facing the Redskins’ league-leading pass defense, the Cowboys have their work cut out for them again. Don’t be surprised if America’s team doesn’t do a ton in the passing game.  It seems Romo can’t get Miles Austin and Roy Williams going in the same week; when one flourishes, the other disappears.

The Cowboy coaching staff hinted at committing to the run more this week; that would boost their sportsbook prospects, as the Redskins are weak against the run. Felix Jones seems to be losing snaps because of his pass protection woes but Marion Barber and/or Tashard Choice will get the job done.

Cowboys defense vs Redskins offense

Jason Campbell may be losing sleep as this week’s game approaches. He’s settled back into acceptable caretaker status after a horrible start, posting a quarterback rating of 90 or better in three straight contests. However, Campbell has taken 15 sacks over his last four games; he still gets rattled in the pocket and never seems to hang there long enough to unleash a deep throw. You can therefore expect the Cowboys to bring the pressure with DaMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff, who’ve combined for 11 sacks this season.

Washington’s running game is in shambles with Clinton Portis sidelined by a concussion and the offensive line both ineffective and banged up. A bright spot for Washington in recent weeks, however, has been Laddell Betts. In rushing for 114 yards on 26 carries against a tough Denver run defense last week, he showed he can handle feature back duties.

Outlook

As long as the Cowboys get an early lead, they should remain in the driver’s seat for this contest. If the Redskins fall behind, they’ll put the ball in Campbell’s hands and that should amount to multiple three-and-outs. That will send the Redskins’ defense out again and again and tire it out, softening it up for some Dallas scores. Happy to be home for the first time in a few weeks, the Cowboys will win on Sunday. Sports betting sharps and Cowboy fans alike will agree.

Cowboy Corner Betting Information – Week 10

Do I control NFL odds for the Dallas Cowboys? Seems they win whenever I pick them to lose and lose whenever I pick them to win. Well, folks, I may or may not have bad news. I like Dallas’ chances to beat the Packers this week. Is that a good thing?

Week 10

DALLAS COWBOYS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

Sunday, November 15, 4:15 p.m. ET

Favorite: Cowboys -3

Cowboys offense vs Packers defense

Tony Romo and company shouldn’t expect a total offensive cakewalk this week. The good news is that Green Bay struggles mightily to pressure the quarterback; the Pack have 13 sacks, good for last in the NFC. The bad news is that they’re still a big-play defense. They rank fourth in the NFL with 12 interceptions and have scored two defensive touchdowns. Historically, Tony Romo gets worse as an NFL season progresses and the weather gets colder. He therefore could make a few mistakes at Lambeau Field on the tundra.

Thankfully for Romo, his rapport with Miles Austin continues to grow. Austin overcame double teams against the Eagles last week for another 40-plus-yard touchdown. Since the Pack are also solid against the run, however, the Cowboys may not score big points this week. Remember that if you like betting on totals with your NFL picks.

Cowboys defense vs Packers offense

Here’s where the Cowboys will win the game. The Cowboys “D” started slowly this season but is really rounding into form of late – especially the pass rush, which led the NFL in sacks last year. The Cowboys sacked Donovan McNabb four times last week. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can sack Aaron Rodgers six times, which they did last week, you know Green Bay has major O-line woes. The Packer linemen are revolving doors, allowing an NFL-worst 37 sacks this season. The Pack’s franchise worst for sacks allowed is 62; they’re on pace to allow 74 this season. Making matters worse, Aaron Rodgers holds onto the ball too long even when he has time. He’s having a phenomenal year but isn’t taking many shots downfield. Sportsbook betting fans should expect the improving Cowboy pass rush to have an absolute field day against poor Rodgers.

Outlook

The Cowboys are gaining serious momentum in the NFC playoff picture and, even though they have another tough road game this week, the matchup is favorable. They should ride their “D” to another win in a potentially low-scoring matchup. The Pack will look like the loser of Pacquiao Cotto betting in the end: battered and bruised.