.gif&AffUrlID=80){kind=small}
Dallas Cowboys (11-1) -10.5, 51.5 O/U at Detroit Lions (6-6) +10.5, Ford Field, Detroit, 1.00pm EST Sunday
by The Crazy Snake of Predictem.com
Whatever happened to Detroit? A month after it looked for all the world like Jon Kitna's 10 win call was nothing more than a formality, one now has to wonder whether they have even 1 win left in them this season, let alone four. They have dropped their past four games after a 6-2 start and sit precariously at 6-6 with two other NFC teams, including the team that trounced them 42-10 last week, the Minnesota Vikings. Their schedule doesn't really get any easier, either. They meet San Diego and Green Bay away in the final 3 weeks of the season. They really have to win this game to give themselves any chance of seeing the post season, and I can't see how we can realistically expect them to do it.
Meanwhile, their polar opposite in the NFC, Dallas is looking unstoppable. They are on a 6 game winning streak (their only loss was to New England) and the form of Terrell Owens is getting ridiculous now. He had another 100+ yard game and 1 TD (7 catches for 156 yards). Dallas chose to run him in the slot to avoid Al Harris and he loved it, carving up the Green Bay secondary all night long. He won't need to avoid anyone in the Detroit secondary this day. Detroit gets torched on a regular basis through the air. They weren't hurt through the air much last week, however. They had to contend with the Adrian Peterson/Chester Taylor 1-2 punch. Minnesota decided to rest Peterson a little and only gave him 15 carries. Adrian decided to test out his knee with cutbacks in every direction and eclipsed the 100 yard mark with 15 yards to spare, despite limited opportunities.
The Julius Jones/Marion Barber 1-2 punch isn't as potentially devastating as Minnesota's version, but as has been proven time and again this season, it is a great foil for Tony Romo and the aerial attack. One entirely compliments the other and makes Dallas an extremely potent offensive force. Dallas' defense should not be underestimated, however, despite the relative heroics of their offense. It is still the highly effective equal of last season's version and will keep them in games when their offense loses its way.
Online Sportsbooks have installed the Cowboys as 10.5 point favorites in this game, despite them being on the road, and this is a legacy of the Lion's poor form as much as anything. With these teams heading in opposing directions with ever increasing intensity, something pretty drastic will have to change for this to be anything other than a blood bath. It has to be said that Minnesota's form has been irresistible lately, though, and maybe Detroit just met them at the wrong time. Dallas is coming off a landmark game for their franchise. Not only did they clinch a playoff berth last week, but they reached an 11-1 mark for the first time in their history.
It would be a no-brainer to tip Dallas to win and cover here but the wood has been amplified by the relative directions of these teams. I am not all that happy to give up 10.5 points on the road to a team on a 4 game skid with all the motivation in the world to try and turn it around. I don't doubt that Dallas will be able to score pretty easily. I just suspect that Detroit will find the Dallas secondary slightly softer than Minnesota's has been lately.
The Snake's Bite: I can't really come at either of these numbers. If I suggest we give up the points on Dallas the motivation factors will play against each other and keep this tight. But I can't have Detroit on a promise either. There is no evidence that they have any impetus to arrest this slide against the NFC's top ranked team. 51.5 is a whopping points total but it is about the only bet I feel comfortable with. Detroit games have eclipsed that mark two weeks in a row and Dallas and Green Bay combined for 52 points last week as well. This promises to be high scoring and if Detroit can find their passing game this could be a shoot out.
Super Bowl Picks - Everybody here in the Predictem office takes their best shot at predicting Superbowl XLII against the spread. Pride is on the line here! Oh, and LOOT too!
Editor's Picks - Each week our in house pro's tackle the week's card and make predictions on the week's games ATS! Best bets, top plays, premium selections, etc. FREE!
Expert Picks - Free premium plays from the "real" expert handicappers from around the web. Don't fall for second rate picks from ESPN, the NFL Network, Hank Goldberg or the screaming touts on TV.
Underdog of the Week - We pick out the loudest barking dog of the week. Expect a 60% winning percentage with these selections.
Favorite of the Week - We examine "the chalk" and determine the safest bet in which who you should lay the points with.
Over/Under of the Week - Our in house cappers report which NFL game is most likely to go over or under the posted total.
The Armchair Quarterback - ACQ makes an appearance at Predictem to give out his much coveted troika of free weekly NFL picks. Put your helmet on and tackle your bookie with these sick picks. He is simply FLAT NASTY!
Line Movement - We report all the major line moves from the gridiron and distinguish whether it's public money or sharp action causing the move.
NFL Consensus Picks - See what the general public is betting on. We use this info to fade the public to the tune of big profits over the course of the season.
Computer Picks - We enter stats into our in house database and the computer predicts the final scores. (This should be used as a guide only.)
NFL Trends - Don't ever let anybody tell you that the trend is your friend. These picks make great fades which is exactly what we do with them.
Monday Night Football Picks - The ultimate bailout play. Our MNF picks are golden and have hit 62% or better the past 3 years. Did we mention that their FREE?
Superbowl Predictions - Our take before and during the season on who we think will win Superbowl XLII.
Sportsbook - Tired of deposit hassles? This place has a 90% acceptance rate of accepting credit cards. Even from Americans!
5Dimes - 15 team parlays! 20 point teasers! Pleasers and huge point buying opportunities as well!
Sportbet - Bet NFL games at -105 odds up to $500 when making your bets on Tuesday's!
PlayersOnly - Offers progressive parlays in which you can have losers on your card and still cash in!
Statless NFL Handicapping - The quick, easy way and yes, it's effective!
Betting NFL Underdogs - It's the first thing you should consider every Sunday. We explain why.
Choosing an Online Sportsbook - We talk about things to consider before you commit to play at one.
Famous Football Quotes - From the inspirational to the greatest touchdown calls of all time. We've got them!
Pro Football Hall of Fame - A full list of NFL players who have been inducted into the NFL HOF.
The Spread NFL Football - Offers free game predictions, matchups, stats including both offensive and defensive and more!
Fantasy Football Sites - Get recommendations on where to find weekly updated player news, depth charts and legit websites that offer the best stat and record tracking for your fantasy football league.
