San Francisco 49ers (3-7) +10, 47 O/U at Dallas Cowboys (6-4)
Texas Stadium, Dallas, T.X., 1:00PM Eastern, Sunday
By Jay Horne of Predictem.com
Tony Romo is back and perhaps so are the Cowboys. Dallas bounced back last week with a tough win on the road against Washington in a low score game 14-10. The game marked the return of Tony Romo back to the lineup after the Cowboys had dropped 3 of their last 4 without their superstar quarterback. The Cowboys will need to return to their winning ways if they plan on being in the post season at the end of the year.
San Francisco is under new interim coach Mike Singletary for the rest of the season and last week Singletary grabbed his first win as the 49ers new coach with a 35-16 win over the Rams. The 49ers will need to score some points if the Dallas offense returns to early season form with Romo back in the lineup. San Francisco has averaged 23 points on the season and I believe will have to put up at least that amount this Sunday.
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in the middle of the playoff hunt. Right now they are in a 3 way tie for the wildcard picture and desperately need to get a few wins in a row. In the last 4 weeks, the offense has really struggled scoring no less than 13 points a game and no more than 14 points in a game. The Cowboys must get the offense clicking again as they did in the beginning of the season. The Dallas defense has picked up in the recent weeks and the reason Dallas beat both Washington and Tampa Bay. In both those games, the Dallas defense allowed 10 points in one game and only 9 in the other. Dallas would love to see this defense continue this play for the rest of the season.
Oddsmakers have the betting line favoring the Cowboys by 10 points. Early betting statistics show that nearly 75% of the betting public is favoring the 49ers ATS and amazingly 90% is favoring the over total for the contest. The over/under total has been set at 47 and may start moving up as the week progresses. ML numbers have Dallas listed at -480 and San Francisco at +380.
The Cowboy offense is led by the arm of QB Tony Romo. Romo has 1887 passing yards on the year averaging 270 yards per game through the air. Romos favorite target is his TE Jason Witten. It may be surprising for a Tight End to lead a team in passing statistics, but make no mistake about it Jason Witten is a superstar at that position. Witten has 48 catches for 583 yards this season and 2 touchdowns. The Dallas offense has playmakers all over the field. Romo has the option to both Terrell Owens and newly acquired WR Roy Williams. The offensive talent is ready to explode, but can they get everyone on the same page?
San Francisco offense has been led this season by running back Frank Gore. Gore has 177 carries for 834 yards this season averaging 4.7 yards every carry along with 6 touchdowns. Gore also has 325 yards receiving with another touchdown. Gore could have another big performance this weekend when he battles with a Dallas defense that has struggled against the run at times this season. QB J.T OSullivan has been a little erratic this season throwing the ball. OSullivan has spread the ball well to many receivers but the problem comes with the 11 interceptions that have been thrown this season as well. The 49ers can not afford turning the ball over this Sunday if they try to pull off an upset.
Betting Trends
San Francisco is only 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games while going 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games on the road. The 49ers have come out on the over total in 5 of their last 6 ball games. Dallas is 2-3-1 ATS in their last 6 outings. The Cowboys have also been on the over side in 5 of their last 7 games.
Update- QB Tony Romo will remain wearing that splint on his pinky finger in this weeks game. Last week Romo may not have been consistent as he regularly is while wearing the splint.
Jays Pick: I think Dallas is just a little too strong on both sides of the ball for the 49ers. I like Dallas -10.
