NFL Preseason Week 1 – Dallas vs San Diego
On Thursday, the San Diego Chargers host the Dallas Cowboys at Qualcomm Stadium. These two teams are average at best and will likely fight for a wild card, but it’s an intriguing preseason match-up.
When: Thursday, Aug 7th 2014 at 10:00pm ET
Where: Qualcomm Stadium
TV: NFL Network
Line: Chargers –3 – O/U 36.5
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Dallas hasn’t made the playoffs since 2009 and they’re constant underachievers. For the last three years this team has somehow finished the regular season at 8-8 despite putting up big offensive numbers.
Last year Romo threw for 3828 yards (31 TD’s), Murray rushed for 1121 yards and Bryant had 1233 yards on 93 receptions. The offensive studs played well. The problem was a defense that couldn’t stop anyone.
The Cowboys defense allowed 27 PPG (26th), 128.5 RYPG (27th) and 286.8 PYPG (30th) last season. During the off-season they lost Ware and Sean Lee recently went down with a season ending injury.
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It’s hard to see the Dallas defense improving much, especially with the limited depth they now have. Any more injuries will cripple them. Expect to see a lot of back up players getting a lot of snaps this week.
San Diego should be improved from last season. They came on strong last season to earn a wild card and I expect them to get off to a better start with McCoy entering his second year as the head coach.
The Chargers went 1-3 in the preseason last year under McCoy. He has a better plan of where he wants this team to go this year though. Depth is an issue in SD and that’ll play a role in this game.
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On paper the SD starters are better than the Cowboys in my opinion. The problem is that most starters won’t be in the game long. Philip Rivers may lead 1-2 drivers, but I expect him to have success.
The bigger battle will be between back up QB’s Clemens (SD) and Weeden (DAL). Weeden was terrible with Cleveland while Clemens played reasonably well at times last season for the Rams.
Clemens is a competitor and I have more faith in him than Weeden. I also think the Cowboys defense is much worse than the Chargers. Dallas has little defensive leadership and a lot of holes to fill up quickly.
At RB Murray and Matthews are both studs, but we should see a lot of other RB’s getting snaps and I give the edge to SD. They have Woodhead still and Donald Brown now in the backfield.
With San Diego being at home they should be able to jump out early on the Cowboys and hold on to the lead for the game. I don’t imagine the Cowboys offense is going to do much with Weeden at the helm.
I’ve seen some talk online from a lot of people that think the Cowboys will keep the starters on the field for a few drivers longer than the Chargers, but I expect them to wait to do that until week 2 at home.
Dallas isn’t likely to suddenly start stopping opposing offenses in week 1 of the preseason on the road. SD is really strong at o-line and if they want they’ll be able to run all over Dallas on Thursday night.
Recent NFL Betting Trends:
- Over is 4-1 in Cowboys last 5 road games.
- Cowboys are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Over is 5-2 in Cowboys last 7 games overall.
- Chargers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Under is 4-1 in Chargers last 5 games overall.
- Chargers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.
Cowboys vs. Chargers Free Pick
San Diego Chargers –3 (-110)
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