Posted on 1/10/2008 3:23:39 PM

NFL Football Betting - NFC Playoffs, Giants at Cowboys

By Charles Jay

NOTABLE STAT: Giants average 156 yards rushing on road, tops in NFL

KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: The Giants have covered seven of their last eight road games

(For more useful trends and stats, visit our unique Matchup Tool)

The New York Giants (11-6 SU & ATS), losers of two games to the Dallas Cowboys (13-3 SU, 9-7 ATS) already this year, hope that the third time is a charm when they travel into Texas Stadium (artificial turf) for the NFC Divisional Round, in a game slated for 4:30 PM ET kickoff on Sunday.

In the BetUS NFL betting odds, the Cowboys are listed at -7.5, with the total posted at 46 points.

Here are some of the NFL betting trends and stats relative to this matchup:

* NY has covered five of its last six games

* NY has won its last eight road games

* NY has covered seven of its last eight road games

* NY has played seven of its last eight road games UNDER the total

* DALL has covered one of its last five games

* DALL has played four of its last six games UNDER the total

* DALL has won four of its last five home games SU

* NY is 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight meetings

* DALL has won four of the last six meetings SU

* DALL is 15-7-1 ATS in the last 23 meetings as the home team

* DALL is 12-5 SU in the last 17 meetings as the home team

* Nine of the last 13 meetings in Dallas have gone UNDER the total

Of course, these teams have met twice this season. Dallas won by scores of 45-35 and 31-20, though neither side really dominated on the stat sheet. Dallas did have more positives, obviously; Tony Romo threw eight touchdown passes against the Giants, and the Cowboys controlled the vaunted Giants pass rush.

Now let's talk about a few things that may not be of interest to you, but should. After that highly-publicized game against the Packers on November 29, Romo, a 64% passer, went 60% with three TD's and five INT's the rest of the way. Maybe it's the "Jessica" factor, maybe it isn't. But as Brian McNamee told Roger Clemens on the phone the other day (we know because we were invited to listen in), "It is what it is."

And the Giants, in the two games with Dallas, ran for 4.7 yards a carry. That's important because New York, which has had to deal with receiver injuries for most of the year (and again now, with Jeremy Shockey's absence) gained 156 rushing yards per game on the road. That is a figure exceeded by NO ONE in the NFL. And it's a big reason why the Giants, after losing that 45-35 season opener at Texas Stadium, have reeled off eight straight road wins since, covering seven of those.

After beating Green Bay 37-27 to virtually seal up home field advantage on the NFC side of the playoff ledger, Dallas went through a difficult period, where it had wins over Carolina and Detroit that were much tougher than they should have been, and losses to Philadelphia and Washington. Now, with the first-round bye, the question has to be asked: is this the first truly meaningful game for the Cowboys in SIX weeks? Maybe. Meanwhile, the Giants have played like they've been in "do or die" mode for some time, ever since their comeback win over Chicago on December 2.

Listen - we know about Terrell Owens' high ankle sprain, but we go into this assuming he's going to play anyway. T.O. or not, with a string of road performances like the Giants have turned in, they are definitely worth the nod against what could be a Dallas team coming out flat (and overpriced as it is). We'll take the New Yorkers, the 7.5-point underdogs in the BetUS NFL football betting odds.

BetUS NFL football betting odds: DALLAS -7.5, Total: 46

JAY'S PLAY: NY GIANTS

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The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!

(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com locker room)