Cowboys Browns Spread
-Brad Marchetti
The bad boys of the NFC East the Dallas Cowboys will be tested under the glaring lights Sunday at 4:15 when they travel to Cleveland for the Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns game. The stars of D-town are the NFL odds on favorites to take the NFC title but first they must get by a tough AFC foe in Cleveland. Last season the Browns opened eyes with a surprising 10-6 mark but the jury is still out on the dawg pound boys. The opening line on this game was Dallas -3 but the wiseguys have hopped all over America’s team sensing that the Brownies are overrated. The NFL betting odds for the Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns has the Cowboys as -5.5 point chalk.
The Cleveland Browns 3-4 defense is still a work in progress. The Browns shaky secondary could get torched in this one by Dallas QB Tony Romo. Cowboys Terrell Owens is one of the elite wideouts in the game, able to take over a game against lesser opposition. Although Owens has big-play capability, the real monster on the Dallas offense is RB Marion Barber. Barber has emerged as a Marshall Faulk type; a dynamic force that must be accounted for on every play. Also added into the Cowboy mix is rookie RB Felix Jones. Although green, Jones has the speed and potential to turn the corner and run for the hills. Cleveland has improved on the D-line, but they still lack a true pass-rushing threat that can disrupt Dallas QB Tony Romo. Romo has a massive O-line to work behind and if he has time to throw he could rip the Browns to shreds through the air. The NFL betting odds OVERUNDER for the Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns game is at 49 points.
The Cleveland Browns offense is currently not operating on all cylinders; starting QB Derek Anderson and RB Jamal Lewis are both battling injuries. Anderson could be a little out of sync having not played since he suffered a concussion Aug. 18th. Despite the setbacks, the Browns offense has some playmakers that know how to get the ball in the end zone. The 6′6 Anderson has a cannon for an arm and his #1 target WR Braylon Edwards could break some gains against a suspect Dallas secondary. If Anderson falters, backup Brady Quinn has the tools to step in and be effective. Regardless of who is throwing the ball, they will need to get rid of the ball quickly against a swarming Dallas pass-rush. OLB DeMarcus Ware is an impact player that can separate any player on the field from their senses. Also added into the mix is ILB Zach Thomas, who should provide leadership and bone jarring hits that will keep players honest. Cleveland RB Jamal Lewis is a punishing downhill runner when healthy but his balky hamstring is a major concern. Backup Cleveland RB Jason Wright has some ability but the dropoff from Lewis to Wright is significant. The Cleveland O-line is one of the better units in the league and whoever totes the rock should be able to move the chains. Can Cleveland win a shootout at home if their defense flounders? Can Tony Romo make the strides necessary this season to bring back the glory to Dallas is his 5th NFL season?
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