All the Dallas Cowboys need this week is a win to reserve themselves of a seat in the playoffs. However, that’s going to be easier said than done, as they are on a collision course with the Indianapolis Colts, who have been winning a bunch of games of late just like Dallas. The sportsbook predicts a close one, giving the home team the win by a field goal.
Going into the game, current NFL Futures give the Cowboys +2200 odds to win Super Bowl 53 and +1000 odds to win the NFC Championship. The Colts are priced at +8000 to win the Super Bowl and +3300 to win the AFC Championship.
The Cowboys just keep on rolling. They are operating like a man possessed by some powerful element, which might as be wide receiver Amari Cooper. The Cowboys’ key trade deadline acquisition has been nothing but a gift that keeps on giving for Dallas. In Week 14, Cooper exploded for 217 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 10 catches and 13 targets. The task of containing Cooper was made especially difficult for the Eagles because of the presence of Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott, who kept Philly’s defense honest all the time. Elliott finished the game with 113 rushing yards on 28 carries and also had 79 receiving yards on 12 catches and 13 targets. Dallas is averaging 21.2 points on the season, but has improved that to 24.3 over the last three games. Cooper and Elliott, however, weren’t the only stars of late for Dallas, as the team’s defense has truly stepped it up, too, having allowed just 18.7 points in their last three games.
On the road so far this season, Dallas is 2-4 straight up (SU) and 3-3 against the spread (ATS), going 3-1 ATS in their last four road games.
Betting on the Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
The Colts just ended the Texans’ nine-game winning streak, taking down Deshaun Watson and company 24-21 on the road last Sunday. Now the Colts turn attention to breaking another in the form of Dallas’ five-game unbeaten run. “Right now, what we’re focused on is next week,” Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich said following the win over the Texans, via ESPN. The Colts, however, need their offensive line to fix some of the cracks it has manifested of late. After going on a five-game stretch without giving up a sack, the Colts have now surrendered six in their last three games. Keeping Luck on his feet almost always define the outcome of the game for Indianapolis, which is eighth in the league in scoring with 26.8 points per game. Against the Colts, Luck passed for 399 yards and two touchdowns with an interception on 27-of-41 completions. Meanwhile, the Colts’ pass rush seems to be in fine form after sacking Watson five times which resulted to a loss of 31 yards for the Texans.
The Colts are 2-1-1 ATS in their last four home games.
