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Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys NFL Betting Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd

panthers cowboys 92609 The Carolina Panthers head to Dallas looking for their first win of the season when they take on the 1-1 Cowboys on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Last week, each of these teams fell to a division rival with Carolina losing to Atlanta and Dallas falling to the New York Giants on a last second field goal. These teams have not met since 2007 when the Cowboys won 20-13 behind a big day on the ground by Marion Barber. That win marked the seventh straight regular season win for the Cowboys over the Panthers. NFL odds makers have listed the Dallas Cowboys as the commanding 8.5-point favorite with the total set at 47.

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Panthers QB Jake Delhomme played much better in Week 2 against the Falcons than he did in Week 1, but it wasn’t enough to get the defending NFC South champs in the win column. Perhaps the Monday night stage will do the trick as Delhomme has won three of his last four starts on Monday Night Football. But Delhomme has five interceptions already this season and is hearing the grumblings of those displeased. He has to do a better job of taking care of the football first and foremost. Next, he has to have enough confidence to go out there and make the throws he’s always made. If he plays tight, it’s only going to get worse. Teams are going to sit on Carolina’s running game and make Delhomme beat them through the air and they will continue to do so until he gives them a reason not to. His performance is crucial because the Panthers are at their best when they are running the football. In fact, they are a perfect 8-0 when DeAngelo Williams rushers for 110 or more yards. I fully expect Carolina to send a steady diet of Williams and Jonathan Stewart Dallas’ way this week. The Cowboys defense has struggled early on so the Panthers should be able to move the football. It is also worth noting that the underdog is 7-2-1 against the spread in the last 10 meetings and the Cowboys are 0-4 against the number in their last four Monday Night Football games. If you think Carolina keeps this one close, bet the Panthers at +8.5 at BetUS.

Dallas wins last week if Tony Romo has any kind of a game at all. He threw three interceptions against the Giants and was never really able to find his rhythm. Romo got his way with the Cowboys giving Terrell Owens the boot. Now that there are no distractions, it’s time for him to star. The bottom line is the Cowboys aren’t going to win too many football games when Romo’s QB rating is 29.6. The Cowboys have put more of an emphasis on running the football and enter this week as the NFL’s top-ranked rushing attack. But Marion Barber, who gashed the Giants for 124 yards last week, is now listed as doubtful for this contest with a thigh injury. While Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are both capable backs if Barber can’t go, neither can run inside the way Barber can. This means the Cowboys may have to rely more on the arm of their QB this week.

If Dallas expects to compete for an NFC East title, it is going to have to start getting things figured out on the defensive side of the football. The Cowboys have allowed 877 yards through the first two weeks, which is third-worst in the league. In fact, Dallas has the only defense in the NFL that is yet to come up with a turnover or a QB sack. That’s pretty shocking when you consider that the ‘boys had an NFL-best 59 sacks in 2008. But Carolina’s defense hasn’t been much better and the Panthers are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game. If you like Dallas to bounce back from last week’s loss with a big double digit win, bet the Cowboys at -8.5 at BetUS.

Bet on the NFL with World Champion Handicapper Jimmy Boyd this Monday night. His NFL expert picks will be ready to take the books to school!

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