Is Stopping the Rams' Dual-Threat Attack a Too-Tall Order for Dallas?

Last season, this playoff pairing staged one of the post-season's more entertaining games.

In what was basically a duel between elite RBs Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott, the Los Angeles Rams edged the Dallas Cowboys, 35-30.

What stung the 'Boys was they had the Rams but, in the immortal words of the late Dennis Green ...

 

Well, the Rams are still who the Cowboys thought they were. Probably better.

Bovada has listed the line at Los Angeles Rams -7 and the total at 48½, with the moneyline being Dallas +240 and the Los Angeles Rams -290.

Here's the view from those cold, hard, data-devouring calculators:

Why bet on the Cowboys ...

Dallas looked as strong as they have all season when they eliminated Seattle last weekend. The defense, in particular, totally confused the Seahawks by disguising their Cover 1 as a Cover 2, and the home team never really did adjust to it.

Of course, their potent trio of Dak Prescott, Elliott, and Amari Cooper will need to have a day on the road in order to prevail. Based on Elliott's performance last weekend, he'll command attention and likely give his teammates more time to make a few plays themselves.

 

Why bet on the Los Angeles Rams ...

The Rams are coming off a pair of wins to end the regular season and salve the sting of back-to-back losses against a pair of playoff teams in Chicago and Philadelphia. Gurley returns after a two-game absence, and no team's really stopped him when he's been healthy.

Jared Goff's results this season -- throwing for 4,688 yards and 32 touchdowns -- and his getting a good look at how the Cowboys' D stopped Russell Wilson last week gives him an edge going into the game. On defense, Aaron Donald's gonna be the Man until proven otherwise.

 

Instant analysis ...

Since acquiring Amari Cooper, the Cowboys are 3-1 straight-up on the road. Combine that with the fact that the Rams hit a patch of tough sledding against the Bears and Eagles and went 3-3-2 ATS at home, covering a touchdown spread may be a reach for them.

ATS pick: Dallas +7

Result: Los Angeles Rams 30 Dallas 22 ... Rams cover

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Sportbet Columnist: Josh Bailey

Aspiring to become the Mark Twain of sportswriting, Josh has been labelled as the up-&-coming sportswriter of the year by absolutely nobody and the new heavy hitter in sports handicapping by his mother.