NFL Week 14 Picks: Dallas Cowboys vs. Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys vs. Chicago Bears
Monday, 12/9/13, 8:40 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Dallas -1.5
Current Betting Line: Chicago -1
Opening Total: 49
Current Total: 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Titans Vs Cowboys Betting Preview — The Dallas Cowboys are virtually in a must-win situation Monday night

Dallas can ill-afford to drop any more games at this stage of the regular season, as it needs to chase down the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East division. The Cowboys have won five of their last seven games, but have compiled a 13-17 record in December since Tony Romo took over the starting quarterback role in 2006, which can’t be ignored when making your NFL betting picks. He’ll face an aggressive pass defense that has tallied 15 interceptions. Dallas is 2-4 SU and 5-1 ATS as an underdog this season, with the OVER going 4-2 in that situation.

The Cowboys have given up a ton of yardage this season—entering this Monday Night Football matchup ranked 31st in the NFL in surrendering 294.9 passing yards per game. Former Chicago defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli might be able to help produce a scheme in this affair, as he arrived in Dallas after Lovie Smith was removed from his head coach position in the Windy City. These two NFC teams have split their eight all-time meetings at Soldier Field.

Chicago will look to snap a two-game losing streak and grab a share of first place in the NFC North, which is important to consider when looking over the pro football odds page. The Bears will send out quarterback Josh McCown for his fourth straight start, as No. 1 signal-caller Jay Cutler continues to be hampered by a leg injury. He has completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 1,461 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception over the course of six contests. Chicago is 2-8 SU and 1-8-1 ATS in December the last two-plus seasons, with no clear edge in terms of the betting total (5-5 Over/Under).

The Bears won the last meeting 34-18 at Cowboys Stadium a season ago, with the defense intercepting five Romo passes—returning two for touchdowns. Chicago must sure up its rush defense if it plans on pulling off another victory over Dallas, as it has allowed 205.9 yards per game on the ground over its last six affairs.