Jones is not happy with America’s Team
Cowboys are coming off what should have been a win against the Patriots
BARRY WILNER
Never one to mince words, Jerry Jones has put Jason Garrett and his coaching staff on alert heading into what’s supposed to be a festive holiday.
Dallas plays its traditional Thanksgiving home game on Thursday, hosting the Bills. At 6-5 and coming off a very winnable game in New England that the Cowboys managed to mess up, the owner isn’t in a thankful mood. Maybe Jones should be, considering the NFC East Cowboys lead a very weak division, especially with Philadelphia so damaged by injuries.
A flop against an 8-3 Buffalo squad that’s in the thick of the AFC wild-card race — but like Dallas hasn’t played well against teams with winning records — could really sour Jones’ mood.
“It’s frustrating to be reminded of the fundamentals of football and coaching that beat us out there,” Jones said about the loss to they Patriots.
“There is no question they put pressure on people returning the kicks and people handling the ball on special teams. There is no question that (Patriots coach Bill Belichick) used that to put some special emphasis on it. So yeah, I’m frustrated.”
The Cowboys are a sevenpoint choice over No. 9 Buffalo. Dallas doesn’t rout anyone these days and they could fall here.
Pick: Cowboys, 20-16
THURSDAY
No. 20 Chicago (minus 21⁄ 2) at No. 27 Detroit Watch the parade, do the cooking, play some backyard ball instead of watching this.
Pick: Bears, 17-10 No. 5 New Orleans (minus 7) at No. 26 Atlanta The Falcons went to Big Easy and romped. Payback.
Pick: Saints, 36-21
SUNDAY
No. 15 Oakland (plus 10) at No. 8 Kansas City Raiders fell into a trap game last week. They’ll be focused enough for key AFC West match.
Best bet: Chiefs, 30-28 No. 21 Los Angeles Chargers (minus 21⁄ 2) at No. 28 Denver Is Philip Rivers ready for retirement? Sure has looked that way recently.
Upset special: Broncos, 20-19 No. 2 New England (minus 3) at No. 10 Houston Patriots are vulnerable, but Bill O’Brien’s team tends to disappear against New England.
Pick: Patriots, 16-14
No. 3 San Francisco (plus 6) at No. 1 Baltimore That stunning Lamar Jacksonled show on Monday night sure impressed oddsmakers.
Pick: Ravens, 27-24
No.13 Los Angeles Rams (minus 3) at No. 24 Arizona What was that we saw — or didn’t see — from Rams against Ravens?
Pick: Rams, 24-20
No. 19 Cleveland (minus 2) at No. 16 Pittsburgh
Easy remaining schedule has Browns thinking playoff run. Can’t stumble here.
Pick: Browns, 17-13 No. 7 Green Bay (minus 61⁄ 2) at No. 31 New York Giants
Not sure anyone on Giants D could start for Niners, who plagued Aaron Rodgers last week.
Pick: Packers, 30-14 No. 30 Washington (plus 10) at No. 18 Carolina
Big spread for slumping Panthers. We’ll buy into it.
Pick: Panthers, 31-20 No. 14 Tennessee (plus 21⁄ 2) at No 12 Indianapolis
Big matchup in AFC South, with loser in playoff trouble.
Pick: Colts, 24-23 No. 17 Philadelphia (minus 9) at No. 29 Miami
Eagles too banged up to be favoured by nine over Miami.
Pick: Eagles, 20-13 No. 23 Tampa Bay (plus 1) at No. 25 Jacksonville
A Super Sunshine State matchup? Not exactly.
Pick: Jaguars, 21-19 No. 22 New York Jets (minus 31⁄ 2) at No. 32 Cincinnati
Jets get their fourth straight victory, Bengals their 12th loss in row this season.
Pick: Jets, 30-22
MONDAY
No. 6 Minnesota (plus 3) at No. 4 Seattle Pretty even game — except for the coaching matchup.
Pick: Seahawks, 20-16
RECORD
Last week: 8-5-1 against spread, 9-5 straight up. Season: 93-80-2 against spread, 108-65-1 straight up.