Up to NFL Betting Trends

posted December 21, 2007 at 16:37 in NFL Betting Trends

Saturday, the Dallas Cowboys (-10½) look to capture home-field advantage throughout the playoffs when they visit the Carolina Panthers (+10½), as they attempt to put their late season woes behind them in efforts of stuffing stockings for the NFL betting enthusiasts supporting them.

For more than a decade, the Cowboys have struggled late in the year. Since the 1996 season, when they earned their last playoff victory, the Cowboys haven't posted a winning record in regular season games in December and January, going 16-29 SU (straight up) in such contests.

The Cowboys have already claimed the NFC East crown and a first-round bye with a 12-2-0 SU record and a 9-5-0 ATS mark. However, they are 0-4 ATS in their last four games played in December.

They are tied with Green Bay for the best record in the NFC. The Cowboys own the tiebreaker after beating the Packers 37-27 on Nov. 29, so a win and a Green Bay loss in Chicago this weekend will ensure Dallas home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Last week, Dallas lost 10-6 to Philadelphia as the 10-point favorites, which snapped a seven-game winning streak ending with its first defeat since Oct. 14 against undefeated New England.

The Cowboys are 14-3-1 ATS in their last 18 games following a SU loss and 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous contest.

Despite last week's effort, the Cowboys rank second in the league with 378.5 yards per game. They are scoring 30.6 points per game offensively anchored by a defense that's giving up 20.4 points and 310.9 yards.

The Cowboys have won the last six regular season meetings SU with the Panthers since losing the first-ever matchup 23-13 on Dec. 8, 1997.

- Cowboys are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. NFC.

- Cowboys are 10-4 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.

- Cowboys are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 games on grass.

- Cowboys are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in Week 16.

- Cowboys are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 road games.

Carolina has scored seven points or less in three of its five home games since Jake Delhomme was lost to a season-ending elbow injury. Still, over the last 11 games, the Panthers have just eight touchdown passes, which is the same number Delhomme threw in his three contests this season before being sidelined.

Offensively, Carolina ranks near the bottom and is scoring a stagnant 15.9 points per game and collecting just 285.3 yards. The passing game is posting only 184.6 yards which is fifth-worst in the league.

The Panthers are better on defense, holding opponents to a respectable 21.7 points per game and 320.6 yards. They're allowing 212.4 yards through the air and 108.3 on the ground.

They are 6-8 SU and ATS and are coming off a 13-10 win over Seattle as the 7-point underdogs at home, where they're 2-5 SU and ATS this season.

The Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a SU win but 17-7-1 ATS in their last 25 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous matchup.

- Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in December.

- Panthers are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

- Panthers are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games on grass.

- Panthers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 home games.

- Panthers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.

NFL betting odds list Dallas a 10½-point favorite with a game total of 42½. When oddsmakers give the Cowboys double-digit respect away from home they've not responded well, as they're 0-5 ATS in their last five games as a road favorite of 10½ or greater.

- Panthers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.

- Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog.

Analysis: Expect the Cowboys to bounce back strong following their lost to Philadelphia, and watch for quarter Tony Romo to rebound after his dismal outing last week.

The road team is 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight meetings and it's unlikely the super hot Jessica Simpson will be in attendance as Dallas rolls in this one.

NFL Free Picks: Dallas Cowboys -10½

> > Check Week 16 Odds Here

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