Cowboys vs Panthers NFL Football Spread/Handicapping
Dallas Cowboys (2-3) vs Carolina Panthers (1-4)
Sunday October 21
Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC
1:00PM
Moneyline: Dallas -133, Carolina +115
Spread: Dallas -2.5
O/U: 46
Dallas
Dallas is in last place in the NFC East so it has only taken 5 games for things to ride off the rails. Last week they came off their bye week with a spirited loss (with ATS cover) at Baltimore and they desperately need this one because the next three games will be very tough: @Giants, @Falcons and home to Philadelphia. This team has talent but makes way too many costly mistakes. I also don’t like the coach.
Dallas is 6th in yards but just 24th in points so clearly there is a disconnect. There is plenty of blame to go around but you have to start in the pivot with Tony Romo. Romo has more interceptions than TDs which makes it tough to play winning football. It also puts their defense in tough spots as evidenced by the fact that they are second in yards allowed while 20th in points allowed. The numbers just don’t add up but it is Dallas.
Based on talent level the Cowboys should be able to come into Charlotte and get a victory on Sunday. If they do they should easily cover the number and it wouldn’t surprise me to see a blowout because Carolina is not all that good. Still you have to be leary of the Cowboys who could just as easily lay an egg (we have seen it before). If you are going to bet them do it sooner rather than later for maximum value.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
Carolina
The promise of last year’s season hasn’t really played out in 2012. Cam Newton hasn’t looked as sharp and the defense which was supposed to be reinforced by the draft and players returning from injury hasn’t been all that good either. The only positive note so far was a surprising win hosting New Orleans in week 2. Though that might have backfired in terms of setting up some expectations that were hard to live up to.
The Panthers are as close to a one man team as their is in the NFL. Cam Newton is a beast but his passing has been off this year and they are probably running him too much – he leads the team in rushing. Newton may have to scramble even more than expected now that All-Pro centre Ryan Kalil has been placed on IR. Linebacker Jon Beason is also not likely to suit up, weakening an already limping defense.
Carolina had a bye last week so maybe they come out more focused and ready than we have seen this season…its possible. Still they are going to have a hard time stopping the Cowboys while their own attack does not command much respect. Newton is always the wild card, able to make the kind of plays to win games and steal covers when least expected. If you like the Panthers at least wait until it jumps to 3…it will.
Spread Pick: Dallas -2.5
O/U Pick: 46
Score Prediction: Dallas 30 – Carolina 19
