Dallas favored by 2 against Carolina

[Romo_To_Dez]

Carolina can go 15-1 as long as the one game that they lose is against our team. (hopefully)

 

[RJ_MacReady]

It all comes down to Sean Lee vs. Luke Kuechly. Sean Lee doesn't have much of a chin left, but his left hook is more than Luke can handle. Lee by 2nd round stoppage.

 

[bsbellomy]

Doesn't the home team usually get favored by 3 right off the bat? So, if we're favored by 2 at home, we'd be +4 if we were playing @Carolina? Or something like that??

It's different for different teams. Since the Cowboys have a better road record than home the last couple years, I don't think it's getting us any points. Maybe the fact that it's on thanksgiving gives a couple.

 

[AzCowboysFan]

Oh, ok, thanks

 

[theogt]

Two undefeated teams. We just had an 8 week bye that I've long forgotten.

 

[Dday22t]

Dallas home on short week, nationally televised must win game, now with Romo & Bryant back. Before the season did you all think it was ridiculous if the Cowboys were favored or a pick 'em for this game?

Vegas doesn't care about record or who is having a better season until now, just which team is more likely to win or get money bet on it. And yes, there are some fans betting on Dallas as homers, but most people making bets want to make money, so the line isn't that out of whack just to humor Dallas fans.

 

[TRUTH87]

I live in North Carolina and trust me when I tell you the fans here are not all that confident about facing us with Romo. Some people think they are going to lose the game.

really? bc i just went to their message board and theyre saying dallas fans are as delusional as greg hardy to think we have a chance to beat them. i mean i dont blame them. theyre 10-0

 

[JoeKing]

To date, there are only 3 undefeated QBs remaining in the NFL this season. Two of them are Romo and Newton. One of them has more experience playing on Turkey day. I like our chances.

 

[cowboyuptx]

I checked out the Panthers forums to see what they're saying, and most of them were making fun of us for thinking we even have a chance... I must admit that their wins over Seattle and Green Bay were pretty impressive, but the Packers' defense isn't as good as the Cowboys', and other than Rodgers the Panthers haven't faced another QB on Romo's level... They think it will be easy, they've already gotten too big for their britches, time to take them down a peg...

 

[TRUTH87]

To date, there are only 3 undefeated QBs remaining in the NFL this season. Two of them are Romo and Newton. One of them has more experience playing on Turkey day. I like our chances.

i see what u did there.. lol

 

[Michael88Irvin]

If it opened at 2 points, the home team gets 3 points. Thats basically still a line favoring the Panthers.

That is correct...3 points to the home team, then all other factors are considered. Oddsmakers in Vegas know exactly what they are doing. It is a science.
Keep in mind, the Cowboys are 3-0 this season with Romo starting. The Panthers are a good team, but not great. They are on a solid winning streak, but if you look at all their games, there were some that could have gone the other way, and they had some fortunate wins.

Covers.com has the opening line @ Cowboys -1, and the current line now at EVEN (pick 'em) - on a neutral field, this would be Panthers -3.

Aside from our 7 losses (without Romo), we are a solid team and are healthier now than most of the season.

Looking at the Panthers wins, they really have had a relatively easy schedule... barely winning their 1st 3 games against very weak teams.. then week 6 @ Seattle was a close game (and we lost to Seattle by ONE point), Week 8 they were fortunate to beat Indy (and Indy is not that good), and Week 9 - they caught GB in the middle of a 3 game losing streak (where GB even lost to DETROIT! @ GB!) when they were not playing well and still barely won that game, plus TENN and WASH are weak this year too, so they handled them as they should have.

I submit that the Panthers game on Thursday is a VERY winnable game for us. And they will likely come in to Dallas feeling a little over-confident. We can get out a fast start, and keep the foot on the gas, they won't know what hit em!

PREDICTION: COWBOYS 38 - PANTHERS 27

For reference, here is the Panthers schedule / scores:

REGULAR SEASON
WkDateGameTime (ET)AttendanceTop PasserTop RusherTop Receiver
1Sep 13CAR 20 @ JAX 9Final60,733Blake Bortles
183 Yds (JAC)Jonathan Stewart
56 Yds (CAR)Allen Hurns
60 Yds (JAC)
2Sep 20HOU 17 @ CAR 24Final73,254Ryan Mallett
244 Yds (HOU)Cam Newton
76 Yds (CAR)Greg Olsen
70 Yds (CAR)
3Sep 27NO 22 @ CAR 27Final73,402Cam Newton
315 Yds (CAR)Jonathan Stewart
52 Yds (CAR)Greg Olsen
134 Yds (CAR)
4Oct 04CAR 37 @ TB 23Final57,468Jameis Winston
287 Yds (TB)Doug Martin
106 Yds (TB)Vincent Jackson
147 Yds (TB)
5Bye
6Oct 18CAR 27 @ SEA 23Final69,020Cam Newton
269 Yds (CAR)Jonathan Stewart
78 Yds (CAR)Jimmy Graham
140 Yds (SEA)
7Oct 25PHI 16 @ CAR 27Final74,194Sam Bradford
205 Yds (PHI)Jonathan Stewart
125 Yds (CAR)Greg Olsen
65 Yds (CAR)
8Nov 02IND 26 @ CAR 29Final74,136Cam Newton
248 Yds (CAR)Jonathan Stewart
82 Yds (CAR)Andre Johnson
81 Yds (IND)
9Nov 08GB 29 @ CAR 37Final74,461Aaron Rodgers
369 Yds (GB)Jonathan Stewart
66 Yds (CAR)Randall Cobb
99 Yds (GB)
10Nov 15CAR 27 @ TEN 10Final63,591Cam Newton
217 Yds (CAR)Jonathan Stewart
91 Yds (CAR)Greg Olsen
80 Yds (CAR)
11Nov 22WAS 16 @ CAR 44Final74,418Cam Newton
246 Yds (CAR)Jonathan Stewart
102 Yds (CAR)DeSean Jackson
87 Yds (WAS)

 

[Michael88Irvin]

This can't be right . Can it ?

It is absolutely right... give our team credit. Romo is the determining factor. We are 3-0 WITH Romo, and 6 of our 7 losses without him were VERY close, could have won all except the Patriots game. We are not your normal 3-7 team by any means.

 

[DandyDon52]

Dallas won today and that was very important.
Dallas players now have some confidence that Romo will help them win, no matter how the game goes.
Ro is now playing better.
Hardy will want to play Carolina and beat them, so he will go all out.
Carolina has to travel in short week, and will be in the big dome circus. I dont know if they have ever been here ??
Romo is now "warmed up"

Our Defense is holding opponents to small scores recently.
Dallas is more desperate to win than Carolina.

Dallas is capable of beating any of the top teams if they have Romo, doesnt mean they will, it still depends on turnovers, luck, officiating etc.

So to me this is really a pickem game , should be close and either team could win.

 

[WoodysGirl]

 

[Bullflop]

Duly noted -- I would agree that there's much to be said for that idea. The smart money should say so, imho.

 

[dfense]

Early line has Dallas favored.

http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/las-vegas/

Panthers got a gift wrapped win this week. Washington gave them 5 turnovers. They're fat and happy. Just where you want 'em.

 

[dfense]

That's got to be the dumbest statement. Dallas could win because of the amount of people watching?

 

[cowboys2233]

I checked out the Panthers forums to see what they're saying, and most of them were making fun of us for thinking we even have a chance... I must admit that their wins over Seattle and Green Bay were pretty impressive, but the Packers' defense isn't as good as the Cowboys', and other than Rodgers the Panthers haven't faced another QB on Romo's level... They think it will be easy, they've already gotten too big for their britches, time to take them down a peg...

Well, these are the big games we had hoped to be a part of this year. Embrace it. I know I will -- the win yesterday ensured that we are still very relevant heading into the Thanksgiving Day game, have a relatively healthy team, and we are playing the best the NFC has to offer. What more can you ask for? Maybe Romo with slightly more game time under his belt, but I love the fact that he got this game against Miami first. Bring 'em on.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Carolina is no joke. Dallas needs to put on their big boy pants for this one. Probably the most physical team on the schedule, even moreso than Seattle. The defense needs to be sound and tackle their physical RBs. Romo needs to be careful as Carolina does a good job of disguising coverages leading to forced turnovers. I'll be surprised if the winning team scores more than 23.

 

[Bullflop]

That's got to be the dumbest statement. Dallas could win because of the amount of people watching?

That's not the way bookies think. They're believing the general public will be attracted to Dallas by their popularity to the average fan. Therefore, they're willing to allow Dallas some leeway and still come out on top. They're actually banking on Carolina winning by three or more.

If I were to estimate a true evaluation of how the points should end up, I'd favor the Panthers by 4, even though they'll be the one competing on the road. In essence, it's like giving Dallas 3 for being the home team and actually thinking Carolina is likely to win by 7, hence, making them a 4-point favorite.