Detroit is a three point favorite. Hmmm. Makes you wonder.
Yes, Dallas has struggled offensively as of late but I expect them to right themselves against a Detroit team giving up over 30 points per game. The “luggage” of Smith’s record now behind them, expect Dallas to come out relaxed and focused. It’s all gravy for Smith from here on out and Chad Hutchison looked pretty good last week in his first NFL start. He completed 50% of his passes including a 39-yard touchdown strike to Joey Galloway. He was inches away from completing another bomb to Galloway which would have given the Cowboys the win, Hutchison a “great” day, and would have resulted in Dallas being the favorite in this game.
Defensively, the Cowboys remain one of the better teams in the league (8th in scoring at just over 18 points allowed per game). Detroit’s defense is weaker than McDonald’s coffee, ranked 30th in yards allowed and dead-last in point allowed per game.
Despite the hailing of Joey Harrington as a great future quarterback, we are still playing the 2002 season. Detroit is completing only 50% of its passes (again, worst in the league).
With his nerve-racking first start out of the way, I expect Hutchison to play well against this defense and the Cowboys to win, as losing teams that allow 27+ points per game historically fare poorly against the spread.
Take the Boys and the points!