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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
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Justin Herbert has seen plenty of offensive success this season, but it’s not like he’s been going against the Steel Curtain. Dak Prescott, meanwhile, was humbled last week against the 49ers – possibly the best team in the NFL – but has otherwise been efficient and spread around the ball, including against the Jets a few weeks ago. There will be no homefield advantage, and the Chargers are nowhere near as strong in the trenches as the 49ers were a week ago, which is why the Niners beat Dallas so bad. If the Cowboys cannot bounce back and win this, Mike McCarthy might as well pack his bags after what would be a 3-3 start. Look for big games from CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard.
The Under has hit in about 60% of games this season and Unders are 11-2-1 in Week 6. Primetime games have been strangely low scoring all season -- just look at the two in Week 6 featuring high-powered Chiefs and Bills offenses. The Bolts have defensive stars Joey Bosa and Derwin James back after they missed Week 4. The hook very much may matter (27-23?).
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We'll throw a half unit down because my Fantasy team also really needs a TD from Ekeler in his first game back since Week 1. The good thing about him is that it can just as easily come on a reception.
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We’ve seen a big adjustment in tonight’s prop market on the LA Chargers side. A five yard reduction has occurred on Joshua Palmer and boosted to Quentin Johnston. Johnston has been quiet with just forty four yards to date. Yet, after the bye week look for the Chargers to find a way to get their rookie involved. Take his over tonight.
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We’ve seen a big adjustment in tonight’s prop market on the LA Chargers side. A five yard reduction has occurred on Joshua Palmer and boosted to Quentin Johnston. Johnston has been quiet with just forty four yards to date. Yet, after the bye week look for the Chargers to find a way to get their rookie involved. Austin Ekeler’s return should also open up the passing game. Tail his full game over as well as longest catch over 16.5 yards.
The Cowboys are coming off a bad loss, but that doesn't mean they can't still be overrated. Their three wins were over the Pats and the two N.Y. teams (a combined 5-13). We're now six weeks into Mike McCarthy calling their plays, while Kellen Moore's calling them for the Chargers -- sending those offenses in opposite directions. L.A. gets Austin Ekeler back, and their defensive numbers are skewed after facing the Dolphins and the Vikings with Justin Jefferson in their first four games. Grab the points here.
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Dak Prescott has become less of a runner. In each of the past two games, he rushed once, gaining a total of 1 yard. Opposing QBs haven't been running much against the Chargers because it's so easy to throw on them: LA gives up an NFL-high 300 passing yards per game.
The knee-jerk reaction here is Kellen Moore revenge and a high-flying shootout tonight. I'm not sure that's the case with a Dallas offense that's been much more horizontal than vertical this year. The Cowboys have called run plays on 46% of snaps, a rate consistent with last season. Of their completed passes on early downs, more than 35% have been deemed unsuccessful with a negative EPA because they're so short. Meanwhile the L.A. balance will be limited with Justin Herbert expected to take most snaps from the shotgun given the broken finger on his non-throwing hand. The public may want fireworks but defense should rule the night.
This has the earmarks of a potential fireworks show at SoFi where the Cowboys fans might outnumber the Chargers backers tonight. Austin Ekeler returns to active duty for the Bolts, and Justin Herbert is apparently a go and not likely to be hampered by the broken middle finger on his left (non-throwing) hand. Prior to facing the Raiders 15 days ago, the first three Chargers games this season all cleared a combined 50 points, and first-year OC Kellen Moore faces his former Dallas employers. With the Inglewood crowd count likely split (at worst) for the Cowboys tonight, Dallas has something to prove as well after the offense was held in check by the 49ers last Sunday. Play Cowboys-Chargers "Over"
Not sure the Chargers are built to bully anybody, but they're well-rested after last week's early bye, which came in handy after the many bumps and bruises suffered in the hair-raising wins vs. the Vikes and Raiders before the break. There was also a Khalil Mack sighting in the Vegas game when he recorded a whopping six sacks. Road trips also looking tricky for Dallas, which has lost tis last two at Arizona and last week at SF (the only road success was at the hapless Giants), and the sort of away support the Cowboys likely get at So Fi didn't help a few weeks ago in Glendale when all of the Dallas fans at State Farm Stadium hardly helped an uninspired effort.
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The Chargers have given up the most passing yards per game thus far, 299.8, and someone in addition to CeeDee Lamb should exploit LA's cornerbacks. Gallup has two games above 60 receiving yards and three games of virtually nothing, so this pick is a bit of a coin flip, especially with Brandin Cooks also in the fold for Dallas. But Gallup has five or more targets in three straight games and Cooks hasn't topped 27 yards in a game yet this season. I'll take my chances with the talented 6'1" receiver to make an impact on Monday night.
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With WR Mike Williams out for the season and Josh Palmer dealing with a groin injury, Monday night might be ripe for Quentin Johnston breakout season. With Williams out in Week 4 before the team's bye week, Johnston's route participation increased to nearly 70% from 26% the week prior. Dallas has allowed at least two wide receivers to surpass this receiving total in each of their last three games, so I'll take my chances with Keenan Allen and Johnston being the two this week for the Chargers.
I think Dallas has a clear advantage at the LOS both offensively and defensively. I also believe the loss of Mike Williams is significant for this Chargers offense that just hasn't looked nearly as explosive without their boundary WR. I think Dallas shows up tonight coming off a humiliating loss to SF. The Chargers always find creative ways to lose football games.
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Make no mistake about it, tonight is a must win for the Dallas Cowboys. Will they do it? We'll see, but lucky for us we have motivation on our side...and the final score doesn't matter to us either. Dan Quinn and the Dallas defense will be sharks smelling blood in the water after that embarrassment to the 49ers. Couple that with Herbert nursing an off-hand injury and facing 35-40 pass attempts tonight, just one small mistake and we're home free.
My simulations set the total at 47.5 in this matchup. Dallas possesses a significant advantage on both lines of scrimmage, and I anticipate that they will exert pressure on an injured Justin Herbert defensively, while also effectively managing the game clock on offense. However, they might encounter difficulties in scoring touchdowns in the red zone. With a few field goal attempts, this total could become challenging. If Dallas manages to secure a lead, I believe they have the personnel to shorten the game.
I have a hard time getting behind either head coach. Both have a knack for finding ways to come up small. But Dallas has been on the road quite a bit and they have no red zone ideas on offense. Dak Prescott is throwing picks again. The Chargers have better talent at many key positions and the better offensive line. I could see Justin Herbert putting on a show in primetime, and getting Austin Ekeler back is a big deal. I'm taking the points but not stomping my feet about it, especially with the line coming down through the week. I'll take the more rested team, coming off a bye at home, even if there isn't a great actual advantage to their fanbase.
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I like this spot for Ekeler against a Dallas defense that excels at getting quick pressure. Justin Herbert will need to get the ball out of his hands quickly which sets up Ekeler to receive a lot of shallow targets. I also think the Chargers will look to utilize Ekeler as a receiver as their offense sputtered after losing Mike Williams. Joshua Palmer is also questionable which could give Ekeler an even further boost. Look for Ekeler to provide a safety valve for Justin Herbert and to make a big impact as a receiver.
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Jake Ferguson is on his way to becoming a full time player in the Cowboys offense. Ferguson is coming off a season high 73% route participation last week vs SF. His route participation has grown every week and it appears hes ready to be utilized in a full time role against a sub-par Chargers pass defense, his target profile provides him with true breakout game potential. His underlying metrics are very impressive and if the Chargers can push Dallas he could have a huge game on MNF.
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Tight end Gerald Everett dealt with an illness and missed practice leading up to Week 4, when he finished with two catches for nine yards. He wasn't on the injury report this week, but the Chargers' other receiving tight end, Donald Parham, is questionable with a wrist injury. Wideout Mike Williams remains out and Josh Palmer (groin) was a late addition to the injury report and is questionable too. Look for Everett to be heavily involved on Monday Night Football like he was in Week 3 when he caught six passes.
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Tony Pollard was removed from the injury report after dealing with a shoulder issue. That sets him up for a big workload in what should be a very competitive game in LA. In competitive games in Weeks 2 and 3, Pollard got 32 and 26 touches. Look for Pollard, who hasn't scored since his two-TD performance in Week 1, to get back into the end zone against the Chargers.
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Austin Ekeler's return is huge for the Chargers, but his biggest impact is likely to be in the receiving game as opposed to the rushing attack. The Cowboys are solid against the run, but more importantly, they are best in pressure rate which means less time for Herbert and more dump offs to Austin Ekeler. I don't expect much efficiency from Ekeler in the rushing department, but he should get plenty of looks in the passing game.
The Cowboys were just routed by the best team in football, and that type of performance should bring added focus this week. Dan Quinn is the best defensive coordinator in football, and he knows Kellen Moore well and how to defend his offense. I expect a bounceback performance from the Dallas defense even with the Chargers offense getting Austin Ekeler back. The Cowboys offense should shine against a struggling Chargers defense, and if they get the lead, that'll unleash the pass rush on Justin Herbert. Cowboys find a way to win and cover with the crowd behind them in L.A.
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Tony Pollard struggled in Week 5 handling just 8 carries for for 29 yards. Pollard’s volume was a victim of extreme negative game script after the Cowboys fell behind 28-10 to open the third quarter. He will get a significantly softer Chargers defense that ranks in the bottom 5 in both defensive run grade and rushing success. Pollard has been extremely inefficient this season but he dominates backfield touches and his situation is elite. What I mean by that is the Cowboys are hyper committed to the run, possess a good run blocking line, and Pollard has minimal competition for touches. This looks like a potential smash spot for the Cowboys run game.
The Cowboys had an extra day to recover from their national embarrassment at the hands of the 49ers. In this matchup, Dallas has advantages on both lines of scrimmage. It should be a bounceback game for Dak Prescott, as the Chargers give up 300 passing yards per game. Justin Herbert will play through a fractured finger on his left (non-throwing) hand. He's coming off a game versus Las Vegas in which he got hurt and posted a 41.7 passer rating. Herbert had the bye week to heal, and Austin Ekeler will be back, but the injury could continue to affect Herbert.
Team Injuries
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