Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers

by Kris Lazaro

12/22/07

DAL 43 CAR 11

The Carolina Panthers play host this Saturday against the NFC East division leading Dallas Cowboys in a match up that may not mean much to Dallas, if it decides to forego the homefield during the NFC title game.  Dallas is currently tied with the Green Bay Packers for the best record in the NFC through 15 weeks of football. 

Dallas, who is 12-2 straight up and 9-5 against the number, is a spotless 6-0 on the road this season (while going 4-2 against the spread).  They come into this game off an upsetting loss to their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles—the Cowboys were stunned at home in a low scoring affair and lost 10-6 as 10 point home favorites.  Star quarterback Tony Romo managed just 6 total yards of aerial offense and the rushing attack produced –81 yards of rushing offense.  In perhaps their worst effort of the season, the Cowboys look as if they will settle for the 2nd best record in the NFC.  The mindset of these Cowboys will be hard to read, but the author sees yet another low scoring game for this Saturday evening tilt. 

The Carolina Panthers, fresh off their 7 point home underdog victory over the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday (by the score of 13-10) are enjoying playing the role of spoiler.  They are currently 6-8 both straight up and against the spread this season and are 2-5 both straight up and against the spread at home.  This team is not going anywhere and the troops are mostly playing for home pride during the rest of this NFL season.  Old man quarterback Vinny Testaverde will try to loosen up his tired arms once more this Saturday as he hopes to spoil the Cowboys’ quest of the best record in the NFC. 

The author just cannot pick a side in this matchup.  Dallas may opt to rest its players if it finds itself in trouble in the first quarter.  Yet, if Dallas feels that it ‘needs’ to win this game, then the Panthers may have no chance of covering even a double digit NFL spread.  The safest bet to take would be the under for this match up, as Carolina’s lack of offense and Dallas’ modified end of the season offense will combine for mediocre scoring. 

Game prediction:  17-10 Carolina.