It won’t be easy for Cowboys nor Saints in Big Easy
Yes, it has been a strange year on the field, with visiting teams 9087-1, not counting two neutral-site games in London. And this week’s betting lines are further proof home field isn’t necessarily an advantage.
Take a look, and you will find eight visitors as favourites, including Thursday night’s matchup in the Big Easy, which won’t be easy for either side.
The Cowboys, losers of three of their past four games, have COVID-19 issues that will sideline coach Mike McCarthy, among others.
They also have slumped recently, though life in the NFC East has allowed them some leeway.
“It’s like anything, we are far enough into this that everyone understands what we need to get done,” McCarthy said of the disruptions caused by virtual meetings and various protocols.
“I feel good about the prep. I think, with all the change going around us, it is making our team focus tighter.”
The focus for the Saints likely will be at quarterback. Since Jameis Winston’s season ended on Oct. 31, they’ve been in scramble mode and have dropped four straight games. Taysom Hill, the do-everything
playmaker who had success (3-1) in 2020 when Drew Brees was hurt, figures to see more action now that he’s recovered from a foot problem.
“There’s nothing like playing quarterback in this league, and so certainly that requires an additional amount of energy and responsibility,” Hill said. “You have a greater ability to affect the outcome of a game.”
No. 10 Dallas is a 4⁄-point favourite 1
2 over No. 23 New Orleans, according to FanDuel SportsBook. We like Hill’s chances of keeping it close, but ... Pick: Cowboys, 23-20
Sunday
No. 26 New York Giants (plus 41⁄2)
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at No. 21 Miami. The Dolphins are on a roll and their defence is for real. Tua might be, as well. Best bet:
Dolphins, 24-13
No. 6 Baltimore (minus 4) at No.
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20 Pittsburgh. Pro Picks can’t find a reason to back the spiralling Steelers right now, even though the Ravens aren’t close to top form. Pick:
Ravens, 22-16
No. 12 San Francisco (minus 31⁄2) at
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No. 28 Seattle. Pro Picks can’t find a reason to back the spiralling Seahawks, and the Niners are close to top form. Pick: 49ers, 26-13
No. 16 Denver (plus 10) at No. 5
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Kansas City. The Chiefs seem to have found their mojo, particularly on defence. Pick: Chiefs, 26-17
No. 18 Minnesota (minus 7) at No.
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32 Detroit. Minnesota makes a habit of not finishing, but Detroit has perfected that art. Pick: Vikings, 3018
No. 1 Arizona (minus 7) at No. 27
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Chicago. We think the Cardinals are for real. Chicago’s 4-7 record shows how real it is. Pick: Cardinals, 26-17
No. 3 Tampa Bay (minus 11) at No.
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24 Atlanta. Isn’t this about the time in 2020 when the Bucs took off toward the championship? Pick:
Buccaneers, 31-15
No. 13 Indianapolis (minus 9) at
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No. 30 Houston. The Colts won’t forget the running game this Sunday
against the leaky Texans. Pick:
Colts, 33-14
No. 22 Philadelphia (minus 61⁄2) at
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No. 29 New York Jets. After that stinker in the Meadowlands last week, you have to expect more from Philly this time. Pick: Eagles, 22-17
No. 14 Los Angeles Chargers (plus
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3) at No. 9 Cincinnati. The Bengals have a rough schedule ahead, so they desperately need this. Pick:
Bengals, 28-27
No. 19 Washington (plus 21⁄2) at
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No. 15 Las Vegas. Both teams are in the playoff mix, though the loser here will be straining to get there.
Pick: Raiders, 30-28
No. 31 Jacksonville (plus 13) at No.
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11 Los Angeles Rams. Those are a lot of points to lay on a team that has lost three straight games. Then again … Pick: Rams, 27-10
Monday
No. 4 New England (plus 21⁄2) at ■
No. 7 Buffalo. The AFC East title could be on the line here. Go with history ... Upset Special: Patriots, 23-21
2021 record
Last Week: Straight up: 11-4. Against spread: 9-6.
Season: Straight up: 114-65-1. Against spread: 101-76-2.