NFL Preseason Week 4 Odds: Dallas Cowboys vs Miami Dolphins
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
by BetOnline Sportsbook
NFL betting players checking out the final week of preseason in the NFL shouldn’t expect too much as teams will be looking to flesh out their rosters, as well as avoid injuries to their starters. Dallas Cowboys heads to Miami on Thursday to wrap up their preseason slate, and their depth should pay off in what could be a sloppy affair.
What: NFL Preseason Week 4
When: Thursday, September 1st, 7:30 PM ET
Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL
Bet Online Sportsbook Pick: The Cowboys -3.5
Why Bet On Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys took their preseason record to 2-1 with a 23-17 win in Minnesota, and it was a solid all-around performance from Dallas. Tony Romo was 15-of-20 for 141 yards, and the Cowboys continued to run the ball well, averaging 4.0 yards on 29 carries. Dez Bryant caught five passes for 67 yards as the Cowboys are looking to him to progress in his second season, and Dallas basically let Roy Williams go to give Bryant more opportunities to shine. Defensively, the Dallas Cowboys forced a turnover and added three sacks on the day. This game will obviously be more about players looking to make a roster start, but the Dallas Cowboys seem to have their first-string figured out.
Dallas suffered a big loss as backup tight end Martellus Bennett will be out for 2-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain, and he was starting to get some more work as head coach Jason Garrett has been using some two tight-end sets in the preseason, trying to give Romo a few more options in the passing attack. The Cowboys were also gouged for 175 yards on the ground, although you have to take it with a grain of salt as they were going up against Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, arguably the best running back in the league. Still, the Cowboys are in a division with a couple of teams that can really run the ball (New York Giants, Philadelphia), and they can’t afford to do that in the regular season.
Why Bet On Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins fell 17-13 in Tampa Bay, but Chad Henne had a solid day, going 10-of-13 for 175 yards and a touchdown in his time, and that included a 60-yard hookup with Brandon Marshall for a score. It was the best that Henne has looked in the preseason and he has managed to quiet the critics….momentarily, at least. While Marshall also had a fumble, he has looked more explosive this season after recovering from an ailing hip and if he can return to his Pro Bowl form of 2008 and 2009, Henne will have a primetime target in the passing game. This game seemed to be more about getting the aerial attack on track than working with the running game, which racked up 22 yards on 17 carries. Reggie Bush had five carries for -1 yard, and that is something that the Dolphins may try to fix in this game.
The Miami Dolphins allowed 267 yards through the air, which may have New England licking their chops for their regular-season opener against Miami. The Dolphins also committed 11 penalties and Miami can’t afford to give their opponents that many free chances in the regular season. Those who commit penalties in this preseason finale may find their jobs on the line with head coach Tony Sparano.
How It Will Play Out
Miami is a 3.5-point NFL betting favorite at home against the Cowboys, who are 3-2 SU and ATS in their last five regular-season meetings with the Dolphins, with three games going under the posted total, but the last two have come in over the total. This game could end up going over the posted total as well because most of this game will be played by the third and fourth strings as the head coaches are looking to fill out their depth charts, and that is the sole reason for this game. No one wants to lose a starter in the final week of preseason, so expect the first strings to take to the sidelines after a series or two, at the most.
Dallas is the play here as they’re a deeper team that Miami, and you could definitely argue that the Cowboys’ backups under center are better than their Dolphin counterparts. It could be a sloppy game with so many lower-string players taking part and pushing the issue to try and get a roster spot.
Wager on Dallas in your Bet Online Sportsbook online betting.
Bet Online Sportsbook Cowboys vs Dolphins Betting Pick: Cowboys -3.5
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brandon marshall - chad henne - dallas cowboys - dez bryant - jason garrett - martellus bennett - miami dolphins - nfl betting - reggie bush - roy williams
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