Seven Reasons To Bet The Cowboys NFC Divisional Playoffs

The 2010 NFL Football Playoffs are into the second week. One of the most interesting games of all the NFL Divisional Playoff Games is slated for Sunday, January 17 @ 1:00 pm ET between two of the best teams in the NFC.

The Dallas Cowboys play at Minnesota in the 2010 NFC Divisional Playoffs. Although the Vikings may be the favorite in this NFC Divisional Playoff matchup, here are 7 reasons why the Cowboys will win:

1. Over their last three games the Cowboys are playing the best defense of any NFL team still alive.
2. the Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles 3 times this season by a combined score of 78 - 33, a team that many predicted to win the Super Bowl.
3. The Vikings lost 3 of their last 5 games (@ Arizona, @ Carolina and @ Chicago.) in the regular season.
4. In the last three games before the Vikings beat the "no-show" Giants in the final week of the season, Favre threw for 4 TDs and 3 interceptions. Some experts have surmised that Brett was going away from coach Ray Childress's game plan. Many suspect that is what caused the on-field argument between the two late in season.
5. Adrian Peterson has been amazingly mediocre over the second half of the season. He hasn't rushed for 100 yards in the last 8 games.
6. The injury to EJ Henderson was devastating to the Vikings defense. Since his absence, offenses have been able to double on DE Jared Allen and/or run the right side of the line.
7. Cowboys are playing their best football right now. Throw away the regular season statistics.- Can you see any parallels between the 2007 Super Bowl Giants and this year's Cowboys?

The 2010 NFC Divisional playoff will be a close game but in the end the Dallas Cowboys will defeat the Minnesota Vikings. For more on the NFC Divisional Playoffs preview and predictions go to The NFL This Week.

NFL Week 8 Pick Of The Week - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On Sunday, October 26, 2008, the National Football League will play week 8. In one of the more popular games of the week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) are visiting the Dallas Cowboys (4-3) in a 1:00 pm start.

SPREAD
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2) Under/Over 40 1/2 points

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MY PICK
Take the Buccaneers (+2) and the under (40 1/2 points)
Predicted Final Score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, Dallas Cowboys 10


TEAM STANDINGS
The Dallas Cowboys are in jeopardy of falling out of the NFC East playoff race with half the season to go. They trail the New York Giants (5-1) and Washington Redskins (5-2). The Philadelphia Eagles are right behind them at 3-3.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on the other hand, have reeled off two consecutive wins and are in a first place tie with the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. The surprising Atlanta Falcons (4-2) and the New Orleans Saints (3-4) round up the division.


MOMENTUM
The Dallas Cowboys (4-3) started the season strong, winning their first 3 games. Since then, they have dropped three of their last four games. The Dallas defense has been disappointing all season and the offense just hasn't clicked.

The Cowboys are 2-1 at home but 2-3 against NFC teams. They are also on a 2 game losing streak. The Cowboys are averaging 27 points a game but are giving up, on average, 25 points a game.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won two in a row, are 4-0 at home, and 1-2 on the road. However, they are 5-1 against NFC teams. The Tampa Bay Bucs are averaging 23 points a game while giving up a little over 13 points a game.

INJURY REPORT

TEAM	PLAYER	POS	INJURY	STATUS
Cowboys	Mike Jefferson	WR	Suspended	OUT
Cowboys	Felix Jones	RB	Hamstring	OUT
Cowboys	Adam Jones	DB	Suspension	OUT
Cowboys	Terence Newman	CB	Abdomen	OUT
Cowboys	Tony Romo	QB	Right Finger	OUT
Cowboys	Anthony Spencer	LB	Hamstring	OUT
Cowboys	Kevin Burnett	LB	Calf	PROBABLE
Cowboys	Greg Ellis	LB	Calf	PROBABLE
Cowboys	Breadie James	LB	Elbow	PROBABLE
Cowboys	Tank Johnson	DT	Ankle	PROBABLE
Cowboys	Pat Watkins	S	Neck	PROBABLE
Buccaneers	B.J. Askew	RB	Hamstring	DOUBTFUL
Buccaneers	Maurice Stoval	WR	Hamstring	DOUBTFUL
Buccaneers	Warrick Dunn	RB	Back	QUESTIONABLE
Buccaneers	Joey Galloway	WR	Foot	QUESTIONABLE
Buccaneers	Brian Griese	QB	Right Elbow	QUESTIONABLE
Buccaneers	Ike Hilliard	WR	Concussion	QUESTIONABLE
Buccaneers	Matt Bryant	K	Right Hamstring	PROBABLE
Buccaneers	Andrew Economos	C	Shoulder	PROBABLE
Buccaneers	BArret Ruud	LB	Knee	PROBABLE
Buccaneers	Arron Sears	G	Back	PROBABLE

THE BOTTOM LINE
Both teams are struggling with injuries. But without Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys must rely on Brad Johnson, the 42 year old backup quarterback. Brad has very limited mobility and does not have the confidence of his teammates.

While Romo was at quarterback, the Cowboys offense averages more than 24 points each game. But with Bard Johnson they are averaging only 14.

The Buccaneers have a banged up offense: Kicker Matt Bryant (hamstring), Quarterback, Brian Griese (elbow), Running Back Warrick Dunn (back), Wide Receivers Ike Hillard (concussion), Joey Galloway (foot) all probable. Another Tampa Bay wide receiver, Maurice Stover is listed as questionable. But with Dallas' star quarterback, Tony Romo, out, I give a big advantage to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dallas Cowboy Head Coach, Wade Phillips, is under increasing pressure from owner Jimmy Jones. Combine that with ineffective play of the entire Dallas Cowboy defense (given up more than 30 points in their last two games), and you a recipe for disaster, for the fourth time in five games.

Expect the Buccaneers to take advantage of the Dallas defense and jump out to and early lead. They will also put a lot of pressure on Brad Johnson with blitzes and heavy pursuit. The Buccaneer will win and put them in great position in the NFC Central and the Cowboys will fade to mediocrity.


NFL WEEK 8 PICK OF THE WEEK - TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Take the Buccaneers,(getting two points) and the under (40 1/2 points).
Final score Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, Dallas Cowboys 10


LAST WORD
Even with all thei injuries, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense will be all over Brad Johnson and the Cowboys will sink to the bottom of the NFC East.