It’s not easy to keep the spotlight off Cam Newton and the undefeated Panthers, but if someone is going to steal the illuminating effects it would be Tony Romo. The Cowboys welcomed back their quarterback and put an end to their seven-game losing streak with a win over the Dolphins, and handing Carolina its first loss would make the rest of the NFC East squirm with uneasiness.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Dallas Cowboys -1
Carolina Panthers +1
Over/Under 47
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Panthers have been good to their backers with an 8-2 ATS record, including a 4-0 ATS mark on the road. Dallas is 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in games started by Romo. The Cowboys were 1-6 ATS while he was out.
KEY INJURIES
Corey Brown – Missed Sunday’s game as he continues to mend from a shoulder injury and is questionable to play Thursday. He has been a key downfield threat in Carolina’s passing game and is expected back in the lineup soon. The Panthers had no injuries Sunday and are a healthy group entering the Dallas game.
Morris Claiborne – Dallas’ starting cornerback missed Sunday’s game with a lingering hamstring problem and an ankle injury and is questionable to play on Thursday. Tyler Patmon got the start against the Dolphins and likely would again if Claiborne can’t go. No significant injuries were reported after the Miami game.
KEY MISMATCH
The seven-game losing streak in between games started by Romo might be too much to overcome by the time the season ends, but the Cowboys can finally remember what a win feels like. There is still an upward climb to get back into the playoff chase, but a Dallas loss Sunday would have been devastating. Romo knows his offense and he got players involved who had been missing. Terrance Williams didn’t have more than four catches or more than 70 receiving yards in a game while Romo was out. He re-emerged with four receptions for 79 yards against the Dolphins. Gavin Escobar caught one pass in Romo’s absence. He had two in the first half for 20 yards. And Dez Bryant scored the decisive points on the first play of the fourth quarter with a 16-yard touchdown catch. It would be nice for the Cowboys to have a full week to prepare for the Panthers’ fourth-ranked defense. After a two-month absence, it’ll be interesting to see how Romo bounces back with two games in five days.
KEY STAT
+13 – Carolina’s NFL-best turnover margin. The Panthers forced five Washington turnovers Sunday and lead the league with 25 takeaways. Dallas is minus-9 in turnover differential.
BETTING ANGLE
We saw on Sunday just how much Romo means to the success – and failure – of the Cowboys. Dallas plays better with Romo at the controls, the record speaks for itself. The Cowboys are 3-0 when Romo starts and 0-7 when he doesn’t. He was a bit rusty on Sunday, that’s to be expected after sitting for two months with a broken collarbone, but he figures to get better as he plays more, barring another injury, of course. And despite the seven straight losses when Romo was sidelined, the Cowboys are still in the NFC East race. They trail the Giants by two games but have some tough ones coming up, starting with the Panthers. Even the oddsmakers like Romo as a difference maker, pegging the 3-7 Cowboys as 1-point chalk over the 10-0 Panthers. With Romo back, so are the Cowboys.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Panthers looked sharp in dismantling Washington last week to remain perfect. But perfection is hard to achieve in the NFL and the Cowboys are a desperate team with their starting quarterback in the lineup. Dallas is just a different team with Romo at the controls and a team that believes it can win, despite a 3-7 record. Robert Turbin, claimed last week on waivers, helped Darren McFadden in the running game, which will be a key for Dallas. The Panthers are not a big-play team. They like to control the clock with their power run game, wear down opponents and strike when they get close. Their defense swarms and has no glaring weaknesses, which is why they are undefeated. It’s tough to pin the hopes of a team on one player, but the Boys just have a different look with Romo and he elevates the play of everyone around him. Dallas will need that to knock off the Panthers, and they get it to stay alive in the playoff picture.
Dallas 27, Carolina 24
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