Oakland vs Dallas Betting on Thanksgiving?
Cowboys Continue Playoff Push – Host Raiders in Thanksgiving Showdown
The Dallas Cowboys return home this week after a crucial, character-building win against the Giants to take on the Oakland Raiders – a team that saw their playoff hopes all-but-dashed last week with their home loss to the Titans.
Oakland (4-7) at Dallas (6-5)
When: 4:30 PM ET, Thursday, November 28, 2013
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Broadcast: CBS
Raiders vs. Cowboys Betting Lines
Oakland Raiders +9½ -110 +375 Ov 45½ -110
Dallas Cowboys -9½ -110 -460 Un 45½ -110
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Dallas is 4-0 in their division so far this season but just 3-7 against the rest of the league – the Boys have had a knack of forgetting to show up at times this year but can’t afford another let-down. It will be a battle of Oakland’s slightly below average offense and the Cowboys’ awful but improving defense that will likely decide the outcome of this game.
The Oakland Raiders have been banged up on offense this year. It is unclear whether or not Darren McFadden will return this week to action and it appears as though undrafted rookie Matt McGloin will make his third straight start at quarterback for Oakland, earning another turn in favor of now-healthy Terrelle Pryor.
McGloin has thrown for 457 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in the past two games – not bad numbers for an unheralded rookie! Darren McFadden still may need some time to heal his boo-boos and hopes are that receiver Denarius Moore is aiming to return after sitting out last week.
Rashad Jennings has been good in relief of McFadden and Rod Streater stepped up last week to become a legitimate receiving threat. Need more good news for the Raiders? They get a crack at a Cowboys defense that is dead last in the NFL – they rank 32nd, giving up 432.2 yards per contest.
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That’s right – the Dallas defense is awful and despite playing OK last week against the Giants it was as much of a product of the G-Men playing poorly as it was a product of Dallas playing well. Dallas is surrendering 298.5 yards in the air (31st) and 133.6 yards on the ground (30th). Dallas gave up 202 yards rushing against New York last week and can expect a heavy dose of Rashad Jennings.
It’s a good thing for the Dallas offense – they themselves get a look at one of the worst defensive units in the game Thursday. Tony Romo has thrown for 23 touchdowns this year, against only seven interceptions. His 97.2 QB rating in 2013 is seventh in the NFL. The receiving corps includes Dez Bryant (61 catches for 851 yards and eight TDs) and tight end Jason Witten (51-569-6) with 13 different receivers catching passes this year. But somehow the Dallas offense ranks just 21st in the league at 327.7 yards per game.
The reason? The rushing game – 29th ranked and averaging just 79.7 yards per game. Running back DeMarco Murray has been a forgotten man at times this year due to injury and a curious game plan. He has just 125 carries through the first 11 games — something that is going to have to change for this team going forward.
Betting Prediction:
A few trends to consider:
• OAK are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games in Week 13.
• OAK are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games in November.
• Under is 7-3 in OAK last 10 games on fieldturf.
• DAL are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Thu. games.
• DAL are 2-6 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
• DAL are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games on fieldturf.
Historically, the Cowboys have excelled on Thanksgiving. They are 28-15-1 on the holiday. The Cowboys are 8-3 ATS this season and they have failed to cover just once at home this season. I think the trend continues Thursday.
The Cowboys are superior in every aspect of this game and the fact that they are embroiled in such an insane playoff battle means that we should see the best of the Cowboys. Short weeks favor the experienced teams – there is absolutely no doubt which is the more seasoned squad in this one.
Pick: Dallas Cowboys -9 1/2
