Monday Night Football Betting - Desperate Panthers to cover; Cowboys to win

The Panthers vs Cowboys odds were supposed to be a potential NFC Championship game matchup, but online betting fans will realize that there will be only two wins between these two teams after a combined six games of action. The Panthers are trying to avoid a 0-3 start, but the Cowboys are unlikely to lose at home two weeks running.

Panthers vs Cowboys odds: Cowboys -9.5

• WHAT: NFL betting
  
• WHEN: Monday, September 29th – 8:30 PM ET
  
• WHERE: Cowboys Stadium – Arlington, TX
  
• PICK: Panthers +9.5, Over 46

Panthers vs Cowboys odds maker breakdown: The Storyline
The Panthers were 12-4 last year and won the NFC South, but three weeks into this season, sportsbook odds makers might find them winless at 0-3. The Panthers have struggled on both offense and defense. Their run defense is a problem and so is quarterback Jake Delhomme. They’ll only win games where they can outscore their opponents via the ground game this year.

The Cowboys are 1-1 after losing a heartbreaker to the New York Giants. The good news is that the Cowboys have been very sloppy to start the season, but they still could have been 2-0. This is a very talented team that can overcome mistakes and when they start avoiding them, they’ll be one of the NFC’s best teams. Don’t expect them to lose two straight at home.

Betting Edge: Cowboys

Panthers vs Cowboys odds maker breakdown: Offense
The Panthers offense got back to business in Week 2, avoiding the plethora of turnovers they made in Week 1. Specifically, Delhomme was much better. But the Panthers are still limited by the fact that they don’t have enough other targets in their passing game outside of Steve Smith and they are far too reliant on their ground game. When it works, they’ll be in games but when they aren’t running, they will struggle to win. Good news for them is that everyone has been running on the Cowboys to start the season.

For the Cowboys, it’s really all about limiting the mistakes. They can pretty much score at will when they are focused but it seems like they consistently shoot themselves in the foot. Quarterback Tony Romo has to be more careful with the football and if he gives the Panthers extra opportunities to score, they’ll have a very good chance to win.

Betting Edge: Cowboys

Panthers vs Cowboys odds maker breakdown: Defense
NFL betting fans have watched the Panthers defense deteriorate in the first two weeks. They simply aren’t the same unit from last year. Their run defense is really struggling and they aren’t generating a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Those are big issues they have to deal with as they head to Dallas.

For the Cowboys, their defensive performance in the first two games has been inexcusable. They are the only team in the NFL without a sack or a turnover, and their secondary has been torched regularly. If they can’t figure out how to get to the quarterback, this defense will give up a lot of points this year.

Betting Edge: Even

Panthers vs Cowboys odds maker breakdown: Notable Injuries
Cowboys running back Marion Barber is questionable for Monday’s contest after pulling a quad muscle. The good news for Dallas is that they have plenty of depth at the position.

The Panthers lost defensive tackle Louis Leonard to a broken ankle on Sunday. Leonard was the replacement for Ma’ake Kemoeatu, who is also out for the year. The Panthers are very thin at defensive tackle, which is why it’s become so easy to run on them.

Betting Edge: Even

Panthers vs Cowboys odds for total: 46
Both teams have decent offenses and both teams are really struggling on defense right now. Although both squads foundation is to run the ball, they should have plenty of success doing that and the over should be the play.

Pick: Over 46

Panthers vs Cowboys betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
Since the Cowboys don’t generate much pressure on the quarterback, they’ll allow the Panthers to be in this contest. 10 points is too much for the Cowboys to cover right now but they’ll win the game.

DJ’s PICK: Panthers +9.5

For more sports betting analysis, visit the betonline.com Betting Edge daily. There’s also plenty more numbers on the Panthers vs Cowboys odds in our stats center.

D.J. Tomkins is one of betonline.com's NFL experts.