Desperate Cowboys can cover at home against Seahawks
It has been more than a month since the Dallas Cowboys won a game. In the meantime, there has been no shortage of drama and discontent, and no sign of injured quarterback Tony Romo returning.
Win or lose, it’s always a soap opera in Dallas — only without J.R. Ewing, Miss Ellie and the crew from Southfork ranch. This reality TV show now stars Jerry Jones, who owns an NFL team and pretends to coach it, and gun-toting outlaw Greg Hardy.
Jones creates a dysfunctional atmosphere that he seems to like. But he’s going to turn into a grumpy old man in his postgame media sessions if the Cowboys don’t get well soon.
Here’s one reason for optimism: Dez Bryant is making a reappearance, and the presence of the playmaking wide receiver should help Matt Cassel, the second quarterback to struggle in Romo’s absence. Bryant, sidelined since suffering a broken right foot in Week 1, is listed as questionable.
When asked Friday if he’s ready to go Sunday against Seattle, Bryant said in his typical understated fashion, “Of course, hell yeah, I’m playing.”
Drama aside, Dallas’ hopes of stopping a four-game losing streak hinge on its ability to contain Russell Wilson, a wild card who’s usually the key figure for the Seahawks. Wilson can scramble to fix broken plays, but he’s dynamic and controllable at the same time. He has been sacked 31 times this season, more than any other quarterback in the league.
Seattle’s offensive line has been a weakness, and Dallas’ defensive line is a strength. Hardy has made a difference on the line. In his debut against New England on Oct. 11, the Cowboys sacked Tom Brady five times, with Hardy dropping him twice.
Still, Cassel needs to find ways to move the chains against a Seattle defense that ranks No. 3 in the league. Darren McFadden, finally healthy and running with power again, should provide a boost. McFadden rushed for 152 yards on 29 carries against the New York Giants last week.
A year ago, when the Cowboys stormed into Seattle and pulled a 30-23 upset, Romo and DeMarco Murray were the stars. It has to be a combination of Cassel, McFadden, Bryant and tight end Jason Witten this time.
I’m not convinced the Seahawks have solved most of their problems. The Cowboys are desperate, and while I always avoid them as home favorites, I’ll back them as 6-point home ‘dogs.
Four more plays for Week 8 (home team in CAPS):
Giants (+3) over SAINTS: Despite their horrific performance in Philadelphia two weeks ago, the Giants are typically better in the road ‘dog role. Eli Manning and wideout Odell Beckham Jr. can exploit a New Orleans defense that ranks 25th in scoring, allowing 26.4 points per game. This is a big homecoming for Beckham, who starred at Louisiana State. A couple of Las Vegas books are at 3½ on this game.
RAVENS (-3) over Chargers: One week after getting blown out at home by Oakland — it was 37-6 before Philip Rivers started padding his passing stats — it’s doubtful San Diego can put it all together. The Chargers are 4-14 against the spread in their past 18 games. Baltimore is a tough-luck team that is better than its 1-6 record. Ravens coach John Harbaugh will regroup. Instead of laying 3½ points, bet this at minus-3 (minus-125).
BRONCOS (+3) over Packers: A 6-0 team with the league’s No. 1 defense is a home ‘dog. I have to take the field goal. Sure, it’s a fading Peyton Manning against Aaron Rodgers, and that’s a big edge for Green Bay, but Rodgers was out of rhythm in the past three games. The crowd in Denver will be electric in prime time.
Colts (+7) over PANTHERS: Carolina is the league’s biggest surprise at 6-0. Count me as stunned. But it’s not a fluke. The defense is legit, and Cam Newton is becoming an elite quarterback. Indianapolis is a mess with a lame-duck coach. All of that aside, I’ll take a lot of points with Andrew Luck in what has to be the Colts’ circle-the-wagons spot.
Last week: 4-1 against the spread
Season: 19-15-1
Las Vegas Review-Journal sports betting columnist Matt Youmans can be reached at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. He co-hosts “The Las Vegas Sportsline” weekdays at 2 p.m. on ESPN Radio (1100 AM). Follow: @mattyoumans247
