Favre vs. Romo tops Sunday's NFL playoffs
When the Cowboys and Vikings met in the playoffs back in the 1970s, the most intriguing matchup on the field was between the two coaches, Tom Landry and Bud Grant. Fast-forward to this Sunday and the two quarterbacks, Tony Romo and Brett Favre, are in the spotlight. In the end, however, it will be how the two defenses are able to contain each other's offense when Dallas and Minnesota meet at the Metrodome.
Sunday afternoon’s NFC Divisional Round game between the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys is the toughest wagering challenge handicappers have faced in the playoffs – and perhaps all season long.
The Cowboys look like the easy choice against the spread because of what they’ve done in recent weeks. After their dismantling of rival Philadelphia in last week’s Wild Card Round, there’s no doubt the Cowboys are playing better than any team in the NFC.
But questions remain about Dallas. Does Tony Romo have the chops to roll into the hostile environment that is the Metrodome and keep the Cowboys close? He’s certainly been impressive during Dallas’ recent four-game SU and ATS winning streak, but aren’t you just waiting for Romo to self-destruct?
Thing is, matters aren’t exactly peaches and cream on the other side of the field. Sure, the Vikings (-9) ripped the Giants 44-7 in Week 17, but that performance came against a team that had already packed it in. With the win, Minnesota is only 2-3 SU and against the number in its last five games.
Dallas at Minnesota (-2½, 45½)
Sunday – 1 PM ET, FOX
If this game was going down at Cowboys Stadium instead of the Metrodome, there’s no doubt you’d take the points and bet on the Cowboys (12-5, 10-7 ATS) against the Vikings (12-4, 9-6-1 ATS) for Sunday’s tilt.
Dallas’ defense is on fire right now, and I have my doubts if Minnesota has enough on its offensive line to keep Brett Favre from heading into retirement in a few days.
The overall numbers don’t do the Cowboys justice. Dallas ranks fourth in run defense (90.6 yards per game) and second in scoring defense (15.6 PPG), but it has upped the ante on its opponents during its current four-game streak.
The Cowboys have allowed a mere 31 total points in their last four games, which includes shutouts of the Eagles and Redskins. 17 of those points came in Dallas’ seven-point win as 7 ½-point underdogs at then-undefeated New Orleans.
DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer made a mess of Philly’s offensive line last week, and I’d say Minnesota’s unit doesn’t compare to that of the Eagles. Ware and Spencer were chasing down the likes of Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick last Saturday, and now they’ll get to feast on 40-year old Brett Favre’s veteran legs.
If Favre sees plenty of pressure early, don’t be surprised if Brad Childress turns to Adrian Peterson ad nauseum. At the beginning of the season, this would have been a good strategy, but the reality is the Vikes have (surprise, surprise) morphed into a pass-first team with Favre strutting around the lockeroom.
If Minnesota has no choice but to run the ball against the league’s fourth-best rush defense, look for Dallas to not only cover but to advance to the NFC championship game.
NY Jets at San Diego (-7, 42)
Sunday – 4:40 PM ET, CBS
The line is all over the place for Sunday’s battle at Qualcomm Stadium between the Chargers (13-3, 8-7-1 ATS) and Jets (10-7, 10-7 ATS), so make sure to shop around before making a play on the spread.
Oddsmakers opened San Diego as a nine-point favorite, but it has been bet down to minus seven at most shops. That said, the Chargers were available from -6 ½ to minus eight when this article went to press; it looks like bettors are conflicted about what to do with this one.
Much of that centers around Mark Sanchez’s performance in New York’s 24-14 upset of Cincinnati last Saturday as 2½-point road pups.
Let’s be honest: The hot-dog eatin’ Sanchez is what’s keeping the Jets from elite status this season, but he managed to outduel Carson Palmer last week, going an efficient 12-of-15 for 182 yards with a touchdown.
New York is 6-1 SU and against the number in its last seven contests, and is undefeated both SU and at the window in its last four games on the road. The Jets also match up well with the Bolts’ powerful passing game, which ranks fifth in the NFL (271.1 YPG.
Tops in total defense (251.8 YPG) and scoring defense (14.8 PPG), New York also has the league’s best pass defense (152.9 YPG). As Rex Ryan happily pointed out when asked about Charles Woodson’s election as Defensive Player of the Year over his own Derrell Revis, the Jets have allowed only eight passing TDs all season.
When the Cowboys and Vikings met in the playoffs back in the 1970s, the most intriguing matchup on the field was between the two coaches, Tom Landry and Bud Grant. Fast-forward to this Sunday and the two quarterbacks, Tony Romo and Brett Favre, are in the spotlight. In the end, however, it will be how the two defenses are able to contain each other's offense when Dallas and Minnesota meet at the Metrodome.
Sunday afternoon’s NFC Divisional Round game between the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys is the toughest wagering challenge handicappers have faced in the playoffs – and perhaps all season long.
The Cowboys look like the easy choice against the spread because of what they’ve done in recent weeks. After their dismantling of rival Philadelphia in last week’s Wild Card Round, there’s no doubt the Cowboys are playing better than any team in the NFC.
But questions remain about Dallas. Does Tony Romo have the chops to roll into the hostile environment that is the Metrodome and keep the Cowboys close? He’s certainly been impressive during Dallas’ recent four-game SU and ATS winning streak, but aren’t you just waiting for Romo to self-destruct?
Thing is, matters aren’t exactly peaches and cream on the other side of the field. Sure, the Vikings (-9) ripped the Giants 44-7 in Week 17, but that performance came against a team that had already packed it in. With the win, Minnesota is only 2-3 SU and against the number in its last five games.
Dallas at Minnesota (-2½, 45½)
Sunday – 1 PM ET, FOX
If this game was going down at Cowboys Stadium instead of the Metrodome, there’s no doubt you’d take the points and bet on the Cowboys (12-5, 10-7 ATS) against the Vikings (12-4, 9-6-1 ATS) for Sunday’s tilt.
Dallas’ defense is on fire right now, and I have my doubts if Minnesota has enough on its offensive line to keep Brett Favre from heading into retirement in a few days.
The overall numbers don’t do the Cowboys justice. Dallas ranks fourth in run defense (90.6 yards per game) and second in scoring defense (15.6 PPG), but it has upped the ante on its opponents during its current four-game streak.
The Cowboys have allowed a mere 31 total points in their last four games, which includes shutouts of the Eagles and Redskins. 17 of those points came in Dallas’ seven-point win as 7 ½-point underdogs at then-undefeated New Orleans.
DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer made a mess of Philly’s offensive line last week, and I’d say Minnesota’s unit doesn’t compare to that of the Eagles. Ware and Spencer were chasing down the likes of Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick last Saturday, and now they’ll get to feast on 40-year old Brett Favre’s veteran legs.
If Favre sees plenty of pressure early, don’t be surprised if Brad Childress turns to Adrian Peterson ad nauseum. At the beginning of the season, this would have been a good strategy, but the reality is the Vikes have (surprise, surprise) morphed into a pass-first team with Favre strutting around the lockeroom.
If Minnesota has no choice but to run the ball against the league’s fourth-best rush defense, look for Dallas to not only cover but to advance to the NFC championship game.
NY Jets at San Diego (-7, 42)
Sunday – 4:40 PM ET, CBS
The line is all over the place for Sunday’s battle at Qualcomm Stadium between the Chargers (13-3, 8-7-1 ATS) and Jets (10-7, 10-7 ATS), so make sure to shop around before making a play on the spread.
Oddsmakers opened San Diego as a nine-point favorite, but it has been bet down to minus seven at most shops. That said, the Chargers were available from -6 ½ to minus eight when this article went to press; it looks like bettors are conflicted about what to do with this one.
Much of that centers around Mark Sanchez’s performance in New York’s 24-14 upset of Cincinnati last Saturday as 2½-point road pups.
Let’s be honest: The hot-dog eatin’ Sanchez is what’s keeping the Jets from elite status this season, but he managed to outduel Carson Palmer last week, going an efficient 12-of-15 for 182 yards with a touchdown.
New York is 6-1 SU and against the number in its last seven contests, and is undefeated both SU and at the window in its last four games on the road. The Jets also match up well with the Bolts’ powerful passing game, which ranks fifth in the NFL (271.1 YPG.
Tops in total defense (251.8 YPG) and scoring defense (14.8 PPG), New York also has the league’s best pass defense (152.9 YPG). As Rex Ryan happily pointed out when asked about Charles Woodson’s election as Defensive Player of the Year over his own Derrell Revis, the Jets have allowed only eight passing TDs all season.
Favre meltdown imminent (crying press-conference to follow, but will not divulge intentions for next year, guaranteed) 
