NFL Week 9 Picks: Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 11/4/12, 8:20 PM EST, TV: NBC
Opening Point Spread: Atlanta -4.5
Current Betting Line: Atlanta -3.5
Opening Total: 47.5
Current Total: 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Titans Vs Cowboys Betting Preview — The Dallas Cowboys have turned the ball over at an extremely high rate in 2012

Dallas has lost three of its last four games and comes off a 29-24 setback to the New York Giants as 1.5-point home underdogs, while going OVER the total for the third time in four contests. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo threw for a career-high 437 yards, but also had four interceptions in the affair, which makes this a very important NFC matchup on Sunday inside the Georgia Dome. “It’s to that point in the season where you don’t have time,” commented Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. Dallas is 4-0 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points the last two-plus years.

The Cowboys rank seventh in the league in total offense and third in passing, but that has translated into sitting 23rd among all teams in scoring average. Dallas also enters this game with a minus-11 turnover margin, which is on the opposite end of the spectrum of its opponent this week, as Atlanta comes in at plus-10 in that particular category.

Atlanta is one of only four teams that rank in the top 10 in both scoring offense and scoring defense, with the offense putting up 28.7 points per game, while the stop unit is surrendering 18.6. The Falcons have a great opportunity to create turnovers in this matchup, considering they are second in the league with 10 picks, while Romo leads all signal-callers with 13 interceptions. Offensively, the team will be challenged to move the ball through the air, as Dallas is third in the NFL in allowing just 187.7 passing yards per game. Atlanta is 1-2 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points.

The Falcons are focused on trying to push their record to 8-0 in this primetime contest, while also moving to 3-0 against the NFC East division, already picking up wins over the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. Atlanta has won five of nine night games under head coach Mike Smith, while quarterback Matt Ryan will be seeking to throw a touchdown strike for the 23rd straight game.