Stu's 100 DIME Pro Football Blowout (SF5)
Baltimore (39') at Dallas (-4) - 8:15 p.m. EST
This number has dropped some in the last few days and that’s just fine by me as Dallas is going to roll tonight in the final regular season game in the 38-year history of Texas Stadium. With their convincing win over the G-Men last week, the Pokes are getting it done on both sides of the football and enter this must-win contest (Dallas controls its playoff destiny and could clinch a spot this weekend) on spread runs of 4-0 at home and 5-0 when laying points. Let’s look at this defense that is tied for seventh in the league in defending the run and has been abusing quarterbacks of late. Dallas limited New York’s standout offense to just 218 yards last week and sacked Eli Manning eight times. DeMarcus Ware (19 of Dallas’ league-leading 53 sacks) and the Pokes have gotten to the QB at least four times in five of their last six games. Make it six of seven as they will feast on Baltimore rookie passer Joe Flacco, who melted last week against Pittsburgh’s stop unit (11-28 passing with no scores and two picks). He just doesn’t have enough play-makers to get the ball to and tonight his favorite pass catcher, tight end Todd Heap, will have to stay in more to help with pass protection against the stout Dallas rush. LB Greg Ellis and Dallas, which has allowed just 67 yards per game rushing the last four games, will stuff the Baltimore run game, too. Baltimore RB Le’Ron MCClain has run for just 53 yards per game against three non-conference opponents this year while Willis McGahee is averaging just 2.1 yards per carry in those contests. Ray Rice is hurt and won’t be a factor. Yes the Baltimore defense is stout, but they can’t do it all (as evidence by last week’s loss at home to Pittsburgh) and they’re not has dominating on the road. Both cornerbacks, Fabian Washington (hamstring) and Samari Rolle (ankle) are hobbling and will face bigger receivers in Terrell Owens and Roy Williams. I expect Tony Romo at home to make some big plays. Last week he passed for 244 yards, two scores and no picks and on the year at Texas Stadium has averaged 284 yards per game with 17 TDs and just four INTs. RB Tashard Choice has performed well while Marion Barber has nursed his toe back to health and while running on Baltimore won’t be easy, the Dallas ground game is good enough to keep Baltimore honest so the field can open up for Romo & Co. Baltimore is on an ATS skid of 5-12 after a scoreboard loss and this pedestrian offense is facing a fierce Dallas stop unit that has 20 sacks and has forced nine turnovers in its last three games. The straight-up winner has covered in nine straight Dallas contests this season and that will again be the case tonight as Dallas rolls to this solid home win and cover.
DALLAS (-4) 100 Dimes<!-- / message -->
Baltimore (39') at Dallas (-4) - 8:15 p.m. EST
This number has dropped some in the last few days and that’s just fine by me as Dallas is going to roll tonight in the final regular season game in the 38-year history of Texas Stadium. With their convincing win over the G-Men last week, the Pokes are getting it done on both sides of the football and enter this must-win contest (Dallas controls its playoff destiny and could clinch a spot this weekend) on spread runs of 4-0 at home and 5-0 when laying points. Let’s look at this defense that is tied for seventh in the league in defending the run and has been abusing quarterbacks of late. Dallas limited New York’s standout offense to just 218 yards last week and sacked Eli Manning eight times. DeMarcus Ware (19 of Dallas’ league-leading 53 sacks) and the Pokes have gotten to the QB at least four times in five of their last six games. Make it six of seven as they will feast on Baltimore rookie passer Joe Flacco, who melted last week against Pittsburgh’s stop unit (11-28 passing with no scores and two picks). He just doesn’t have enough play-makers to get the ball to and tonight his favorite pass catcher, tight end Todd Heap, will have to stay in more to help with pass protection against the stout Dallas rush. LB Greg Ellis and Dallas, which has allowed just 67 yards per game rushing the last four games, will stuff the Baltimore run game, too. Baltimore RB Le’Ron MCClain has run for just 53 yards per game against three non-conference opponents this year while Willis McGahee is averaging just 2.1 yards per carry in those contests. Ray Rice is hurt and won’t be a factor. Yes the Baltimore defense is stout, but they can’t do it all (as evidence by last week’s loss at home to Pittsburgh) and they’re not has dominating on the road. Both cornerbacks, Fabian Washington (hamstring) and Samari Rolle (ankle) are hobbling and will face bigger receivers in Terrell Owens and Roy Williams. I expect Tony Romo at home to make some big plays. Last week he passed for 244 yards, two scores and no picks and on the year at Texas Stadium has averaged 284 yards per game with 17 TDs and just four INTs. RB Tashard Choice has performed well while Marion Barber has nursed his toe back to health and while running on Baltimore won’t be easy, the Dallas ground game is good enough to keep Baltimore honest so the field can open up for Romo & Co. Baltimore is on an ATS skid of 5-12 after a scoreboard loss and this pedestrian offense is facing a fierce Dallas stop unit that has 20 sacks and has forced nine turnovers in its last three games. The straight-up winner has covered in nine straight Dallas contests this season and that will again be the case tonight as Dallas rolls to this solid home win and cover.
DALLAS (-4) 100 Dimes<!-- / message -->
