NFL Betting – Cowboys vs Giants odds give New York big edge
Posted on 10/28/2008 1:40:42 PM
By Stan Simmons
Cowboys vs Giants odds: huge NFC East clash
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WHO: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (-8.5)
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WHAT: NFL football betting
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WHEN: Sunday, November 2 at 4:15 p.m. ET
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WHERE: Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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KEY STATS: Dallas and New York have split their last 10 meetings
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PICK: New York Giants
Dallas may be the most-ridiculed team in the NFL with a winning record, as online betting fans anointed the Cowboys as the Super Bowl favorite once New England’s Tom Brady went down for the season.
However, it’s the defending Super Bowl champions from New York who are leading the NFC East heading into this Sunday’s battle with Dallas. If you’re looking to bet online, the Cowboys vs Giants line gives a major edge to the hometown team.
The Dallas (5-3) defense came up huge in a 13-9 win at home over Tampa Bay; it’s hand was forced as the offense could only muster 192 yards. Brad Johnson was 19-of-33 for 122 yards and a touchdown, but the Cowboys couldn’t make any big plays downfield.
Granted, Tampa Bay’s defense is no slouch and played the Cowboys hard, but with weapons like Terrell Owens, Roy Williams and Jason Witten, Dallas should be able to go deep once in a while.
The Dallas defense held the Buccaneers in check, especially on third down where Tampa Bay was 6-of-17. The defense may need a similar effort if Dallas plans on overcoming these Cowboys vs Giants odds, because the offense has lost all of its explosive capabilities.
The Giants (6-1) used a couple of big plays late in the game—and a turnover-prone Ben Roethlisberger—to tough out a 21-14 win in Pittsburgh. The opportunistic New York defense picked off “Big Ben” four times.
Eli Manning also made a couple of huge throws down the stretch, including the game-winning touchdown to Kevin Boss from two yards out with 3:07 to go. This is the type of game Super Bowl champions win: a tough battle on the road in front of a hostile crowd. The Giants never looked like they were panicking.
This Cowboys vs Giants spread of 8.5 points is the highest in nine meetings between these two because the New York defense looks like they could feast on the slumping Dallas offense.
STAN’S PICK: Cowboys vs Giants betting certainly is not giving Dallas any credit after winning two straight in New York (though just four of their last 10 overall in the “Big Apple”).
The Cowboys haven’t even committed to Johnson as their starting quarterback for this game; Brooks Bollinger might get the start. Obviously, sportsbook odds favor the Giants for a reason.
For the Giants and Manning, it’s simple: take care of the ball. The Giants’ lone loss came in a three-pick game for Manning in Cleveland, and he’ll will have to be careful because the Dallas defense now knows it must carry the team. With homefield advantage and the Cowboys’ quarterback problems lingering, bet on the New York Giants to take a stranglehold on the NFC East.
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Stan
Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping
has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much
time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps
the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or
questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
