Dallas Cowboys (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS) vs. Arizona Cardinals (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS)
Week 3 NFL
Date/Time: Monday Night Football, September 25, 2017 at 8:30PM EST
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: ESPN
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: DAL -3/ARI +3
Over/Under Total: 47
The Dallas Cowboys come to Glendale for a week three battle against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. The Cowboys had a rough time of it on Sunday, dropping a lopsided 42-17 loss on the road to the Denver Broncos. They would like nothing better than to atone for that this week when they come west to face the Cardinals. On Sunday, the Cardinals got some needed late positive developments to pull victory from the jaws of defeat in a 16-13 overtime triumph against the Colts on the road. Who can get the win and cover in week three on MNF?
The Cardinals were on the verge of another really negative development on Sunday. With the game winding down in the 4th quarter, the Cardinals faced a 10-point deficit to the Colts. Mind you, this was as big favorites against an Indy team that looked lost at sea. And this was after losing David Johnson, their main offensive weapon, for an extended period of time due to injury. They utterly collapsed late in week one against Detroit and lost going away, so another bad piece to their 2017 storyline could have been a real disaster. So coming back with some big plays late was huge. Carson Palmer hit deep threat JJ Nelson for a 45-yard touchdown pass, before Phil Dawson's 40-yarder sent it to overtime after Tyrann Mathieu picked off Jacoby Brissett's pass to set up the winning score.
The Cardinals offense wasn't always good on Sunday. But Palmer ended up with 332 yards passing and that was with Larry Fitzgerald quiet and John Brown missing the game. We saw some new faces on Sunday. JJ Nelson was big with 120 yards and the big score and Jaron Brown got involved with 73 yards. But we saw unheard-from tight end Ifeanyi Momah chip in with a 46-yard reception and sparsely-used Brittan Golden haul in a 29-yard pass. With Johnson shelved indefinitely, the Cardinals re-signed Chris Johnson, who showed lively legs with 44 yards and Kerwynn Williams and Andre Ellington trying to pitch in, as well. But without Johnson and other injuries starting to stockpile, this offense has to do the best they can to piece something together. Two offensive linemen are already looking at missed time and it's just unfortunate to be having so many personnel issues so early in the season. The Cardinals have overcome before and will need to do so again.
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The Cardinals defense melted against Detroit in game one. Granted, they were facing a Colts team that has enough issues of their own, but it was still big how they delivered late. First, they kept the Colts under control after a ten-point first quarter, allowing only a field goal the rest of the way. And in overtime with the Colts on offense, safety Tyrann Mathiew came through with the game-changing pick that eventually set up the win. They had some good individual performances on this side of the ball. Chandler Jones had a pair of sacks. Linebacker and veteran leader Karlos Dansby was all over the field, showing he can still be awfully effective. And in allowing just 2 yards a carry, the line was pretty resilient on Sunday.
Dallas had a rough time of it this past week. It happens. A lot of teams don't play well in Denver, especially teams like the Cowboys who almost never play there in that altitude. After all, Denver's defense renders a lot of offenses moot and they just so happened to have a huge day on offense. It was just a bad day on all facets for the Cowboys. The Cowboys scored a TD with the game already way out of hand late. Up until then, the only TD they got was after a fumble led to the ball being on Denver's 3-yard line. They were dominated up and down and look for way better results here in their second straight road game.
The Dallas offense was uncharacteristically tame against the Broncos on Sunday. Dak Prescott was 30-for-50 with 238 yards with two touchdowns and two picks. He led the team in rushing, which is a bad sign. The Denver defense held Ezekiel Elliott to an unsightly 8 yards on 9 carries. Dallas backs accounted for a mere 16 yards in the game. Jason Witten caught ten balls and Dez Bryant caught 7, as both had TD receptions. But that was of little consolation in a game where the Cowboys were dominated thoroughly.
Dallas' defense followed up a week one game where they held the Giants to three points by allowing 42 to the Broncos. It's not really a good sign when Trevor Siemian connects with 4 touchdown passes on your defense. CJ Anderson ran for 118 yards, as the entire Denver offense had a successful game against this crew. It also hurts that they have a number of players who are already suspended or hurt. And with a gaggle of corners now hurt with Orlando Scandrick, Nolan Carroll, and Chidobe Awuzie, this defense hopes to not become a casualty to the injury bug. They held up great last year amid similar circumstances, but this group can't catch a break injury-wise.
This isn't an easy game for Dallas on the road for the second time in a week with the first one being so punishing in the Denver battering. They should find some things go more their way this week against a Cardinals team with plenty of issues of their own. Dallas might be bringing a banged-up defense into town, but a defense that will also be facing a compromised Arizona offense. The Dallas offense should feel some urgency to create more positivity on Monday Night Football and we see it resulting in a win and cover.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the Dallas Cowboys minus 3 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today by signing and betting the Dallas vs. Arizona MNF game up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 100% sign-up bonus!
