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The Cowboys vs. Cardinals spread opened at -6.5 in favor of Dallas and has since been cut to -4.5 at Sportsbook.com. Be sure to claim your FREE CASH up to $250 depending on how much you open your online betting account with.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Dallas -4.5 & 45.5
Opening Line & Total: Cowboys -6.5 & 45.5
The Cowboys try to extend their win streak to five when they journey to the Arizona desert to face an improving Cardinals team.
Dallas won four straight, but it has gone just 1-3 ATS during that stretch and is 2-5-1 ATS in its seven SU wins this season. The Cards have gotten their running game going and might also have starting QB Kevin Kolb (toe) back under center. Meanwhile, the Cowboys offense has been much less explosive than expected, and teams have consistently hung around with them. The Dallas ground game that ran over Seattle and Buffalo for 163 yards each game to start November, has totaled 174 yards on 3.2 YPC in the past two games. The Cards are 4-1 ATS in the past five games, racking up three SU wins in those five contests and nearly upsetting the Ravens in Baltimore (30-27 loss). Lastly, Dallas is 3-13 ATS (19%) as a favorite in the past two years.
The Cowboys’ lone road win during the current win streak came in overtime against the lowly Redskins. On Christmas Day a year ago, Dallas lost a wild one in the desert. The Cards got two defensive touchdowns and kicked a field goal in the final seconds to win 27-26. Dallas was without Tony Romo for that game, and back-up Jon Kitna was injured mid-game, replaced by Stephen McGee. Dallas still outgained the John-Skelton-led Cards 382-271 in that game. Since the 1999 season, these clubs are both 6-6 against one another.
Dallas has struggled running the football, but Romo has led the offense to the seventh-most passing yards in the NFL (272 YPG). Although he tossed two interceptions against Miami on Thanksgiving, he also threw multiple touchdowns for the fourth straight game. He could have the services of WR Miles Austin (hamstring) this week, but if not, Laurent Robinson has filled in admirably for Austin over the past five weeks, catching 24 passes for 321 yards and 7 TD, scoring at least once in all five games.
Although Kolb could return to the starting lineup, the Cards are 3-1 SU in games Skelton has played. But in the past two weeks, Skelton has thrown for just 213 yards (5.1 YPA), 0 TD and 5 INT. The bad news is that No. 1 rusher Beanie Wells is back on the injury list with his recurring knee problems. He is expected to play, but he could be limited. Last week, Wells rushed for a franchise-record 228 yards and scored a TD. WR Larry Fitzgerald always comes to play (888 rec yds, 6 TD), and he’ll benefit the most of any player if the strong-armed Kolb returns to the field.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
