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The Dallas Cowboys bring a four-game series winning streak into their Week 1 matchup on Sunday night with the New York Giants, going 3-1 against the spread over the past two years. The Giants had previously dominated the NFC East rivalry against the Cowboys from 2009 through 2012 with a 6-2 record both straight up and against the spread.
Point spread: The Cowboys opened as five-point favorites; the total was 50 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 28.8-23.4 Cowboys
Why the Giants can cover the spread
Despite a disappointing season in 2014, New York finished strong with a 3-1 mark SU and ATS in the final four games. That stretch showcased Offensive Rookie of the Year Odell Beckham Jr., as the speedy wide receiver from LSU totaled at least 130 yards and one touchdown in each of the games to clinch the award.
Beckham scored the most spectacular touchdown of his rookie year against Dallas in a 31-28 home loss with a one-handed catch that ended up being the NFL play of the year.
The Giants led that game 21-10 at halftime and still managed to cover the spread as 4.5-point home underdogs. Beckham has already scored four touchdowns in two career games against the Cowboys and should be able to help New York cover again here.
Why the Cowboys can cover the spread
Dallas is the defending NFC East champion and won five of six to close out last season, with the lone loss coming against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Cowboys barely beat the spread at Green Bay as 5.5-point road underdogs in a 26-21 loss but improved to 5-1 in their past six versus the number and carry that momentum in this game.
As noted earlier, Dallas has enjoyed recent success against the Giants and simply has better overall talent. Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant will make sure he is not outdone by Beckham, especially after inking a big contract extension in the offseason.
The key, though, will likely be the play of Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, who reined in his game last season and became more of a leader rather than forcing the ball into traffic too much and turning it over.
Smart pick
The Cowboys were not a particularly good home team last year, going 2-5 ATS in their first seven games there before routing an Indianapolis Colts team 42-7 that had already clinched the AFC South.
New York has a tendency to surprise when you least expect it, and this appears to be one of those times from a handicapping perspective. While the Giants may not win the game, they certainly have the potential to keep it close, cover the spread and make it another entertaining matchup on Sunday night.
Betting trends
The Giants are 1-5 SU and ATS in their last six games on the road in September.
The total has gone over in six of the Giants' last seven games as underdogs.
The Cowboys are 5-1 SU in their last six games at home in September.
All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...
Point spread: The Cowboys opened as five-point favorites; the total was 50 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 28.8-23.4 Cowboys
Why the Giants can cover the spread
Despite a disappointing season in 2014, New York finished strong with a 3-1 mark SU and ATS in the final four games. That stretch showcased Offensive Rookie of the Year Odell Beckham Jr., as the speedy wide receiver from LSU totaled at least 130 yards and one touchdown in each of the games to clinch the award.
Beckham scored the most spectacular touchdown of his rookie year against Dallas in a 31-28 home loss with a one-handed catch that ended up being the NFL play of the year.
The Giants led that game 21-10 at halftime and still managed to cover the spread as 4.5-point home underdogs. Beckham has already scored four touchdowns in two career games against the Cowboys and should be able to help New York cover again here.
Why the Cowboys can cover the spread
Dallas is the defending NFC East champion and won five of six to close out last season, with the lone loss coming against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Cowboys barely beat the spread at Green Bay as 5.5-point road underdogs in a 26-21 loss but improved to 5-1 in their past six versus the number and carry that momentum in this game.
As noted earlier, Dallas has enjoyed recent success against the Giants and simply has better overall talent. Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant will make sure he is not outdone by Beckham, especially after inking a big contract extension in the offseason.
The key, though, will likely be the play of Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, who reined in his game last season and became more of a leader rather than forcing the ball into traffic too much and turning it over.
Smart pick
The Cowboys were not a particularly good home team last year, going 2-5 ATS in their first seven games there before routing an Indianapolis Colts team 42-7 that had already clinched the AFC South.
New York has a tendency to surprise when you least expect it, and this appears to be one of those times from a handicapping perspective. While the Giants may not win the game, they certainly have the potential to keep it close, cover the spread and make it another entertaining matchup on Sunday night.
Betting trends
The Giants are 1-5 SU and ATS in their last six games on the road in September.
The total has gone over in six of the Giants' last seven games as underdogs.
The Cowboys are 5-1 SU in their last six games at home in September.
All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...