Falcons at Cowboys Pick
The Dallas Cowboys home a win on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons will carry them throughout the rest of the 2009 NFL season.
The Falcons weren’t impressively offensive last week in a 21-14 win over the Bears, but defensively they were outstanding while stuffing Chicago’s running game and forcing three turnovers. Matt Ryan threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns, while Roddy White hauled in four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys had their bye last week, but defeated the Chiefs 26-20 in Kansas City in Week 5. Miles Austin went off in that game, catching 10 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns as Dallas failed to cover the spread as 9-point favorites.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Cowboys 4-point home favorites over the Falcons on Sunday. The over/under total for this game has been set at 47.5.
Some touts think that this is a perfect matchup for the Cowboys because the Falcons are coming off a road trip to San Francisco and an emotional win last week against the Bears. Dallas is also coming off its bye and will have both Marion Barber and Felix Jones back in their lineup after the two missed some game time due to injuries.
But the thing that those same touts are missing is that Atlanta is playing extremely well defensively right now, as the young unit is starting to gel. Offensively, the Cowboys are going to have a tough time generating pressure on Ryan, who gets the ball out of his hand quickly and into the awaiting arms of dynamic receivers White and Tony Gonzalez.
We understand that the Cowboys are at home and are fresh off their bye. But the Bears were fresh last week off their bye too and the Falcons beat them. Granted, that was in the comforts of the Georgia Dome, but we love the fact that the better team is getting points in this matchup and will gladly take Atlanta plus the four.
Our NFL Week 7 Free Pick for this matchup is: ATLANTA FALCONS +4 and OVER 47.5.
Falcons at Cowboys Current Odds
433 Atlanta Falcons +4 (+185 moneyline) Over 47.5
434 Dallas Cowboys –4 (-225 moneyline) Under 47.5
Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Dallas is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Atlanta Falcons |
||
Antoine Harris |
S |
Out Week 7 (knee) |
William Moore |
S |
Doubtful Week 7 (hamstring) |
Jerious Norwood |
RB |
Doubtful Week 7 (hip) |
Ovie Mughelli |
RB |
Questionable Week 7 (calf) |
Justin Peelle |
TE |
Probable Week 7 (ankle) |
Michael Turner |
RB |
Probable Week 7 (chest) |
Dallas Cowboys |
||
Marion Barber |
RB |
Probable Week 7 (thigh, thumb) |
Marc Colombo |
T |
Probable Week 7 (ankle) |
Leonard Davis |
G |
Probable Week 7 (thumb) |
Andre Gurode |
C |
Probable Week 7 (knee) |
Posted: 10/25/09 2:50PM ET