Los Angeles Rams (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) vs. Dallas Cowboys (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS)
Week 4 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 1PM EST
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: Fox
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: LAR +7.5/DAL -7.5
Over/Under Total: 46.5
The Los Angeles Rams come out to the Lone Star State for a week four Sunday matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, The Rams beat San Francisco in their last game, just hanging on for the 41-39 win on Thursday Night Football. They have shown an improved offense this season and hope that will manifest against a home Cowboys team that is looking to build on their MNF win last week against the Cardinals, 28-17. A lot more things fell into place in week three for the Cowboys and after two straight road games and they look forward to returning home this week.
The Rams seem to have a little more cooking under new head coach Sean McVay. We are seeing a vastly-improved QB in Jared Goff, while Todd Gurley seems to have livelier legs this season. The offensive line is improved and the defense is still capable of making big plays, anchored up-front by one of the best in the business in Aaron Donald. After two home games, the win over the Niners began a stretch of 3 road games in 4 weeks for the Rams. They did well against the 49ers, but had to hold on with a late Rams score, a fumble, and a recovered onside kick nearly spoiling what seemed like a sure win.
McVay looks to have breathed new life into the offense. Goff seems majorly improved and against the 49ers, he completed 22 of 28 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns. A robust offensive line, bolstered by the arrival of free agent tackle Andrew Whitworth, has done well in opening holes for the run-game, as well as protecting Goff, who operated with a clean pocket on Thursday. Todd Gurley already equaled last season's total of touchdowns with 6 and ran for 113 yards on Thursday. Two new Rams receivers had big days, with Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins both going over 100 yards. Both Watkins and another Rams playmaker in Tavon Austin were in concussion-protocol by the end of the game and we'll keep an eye on that throughout the week.
It's a little more-complicated with the LA Rams defense through three games, as the Rams' "D" has actually grown worse over the course of the still very young season. After giving up 9 to the Colts, they gave up 27 to the Redskins, and then 39 to the 49ers last week. Late in the game, the defense both allowed the 49ers to climb back into the game, but also made a series of big plays with the Niners threatening to mount a furious rally. The 49ers kept getting the ball back late and the defense really had to register a series of clutch plays to avert disaster. In San Francisco's last offensive play, Aaron Donald capped off a game that signaled his return to power with a sack. Still, after giving up 332 yards to Brian Hoyer, the secondary looks a bit dicey with Trumaine Johnson not at 100% and some inconsistent play around him. Nevertheless, they got huge performances from Mark Barron, Michael Brockers, and Alec Ogletree. They just weren't typically stout.
QUIT THROWING AWAY YOUR HARD EARNED LOOT! BET ON THE RAMS VS. COWBOYS GAME AT DISCOUNTED ODDS -105 TODAY AT 5DIMES
The Cowboys got a good win on Monday Night Football, a victory that stabilized the Dallas football machine after a bizarre 25-point loss to the Broncos the previous week. We saw some good things from Dallas on MNF, as they brought their mark up to 2-1. Consecutive road games in Denver and Arizona make them glad to be back in their stomping grounds where they can dig in their heels until their next road game on October 22.
The Dallas offense had some really good moments on MNF. It was a close game, with the good decision-making of quarterback Dak Prescott eventually tipping the scales in Dallas' favor. Some big throws late were big, including a 37-yard touchdown throw to Brice Butler, who also caught a big 53-yard throw that set up another score. Dez Bryant scored a passionate TD to help in pulling away from the Cardinals. After a derided effort last week, RB Ezekiel Elliot was productive with a TD run on 80 yards rushing. Prescott also ran one in for good measure, as his imprint on the game was big on Monday.
The Dallas secondary was exploited to some extent on Sunday and that's an ongoing problem. But when they needed to step up, they did. The bottom-line is that they held a home Cardinals team to 17 points, even with Carson Palmer putting up 325 yards through the air. The pass-rush was big and they came up with some timely sacks. The front was a monster with Dexter Lawrence getting 3 sacks and Maliek Collins adding two more. Opposite of Lawrence, Tyron Crawford added a sack. In the middle, Jaylon Smith and Sean Lee were very active. After a bad showing against Denver, it was a good overall game by the "D" and they look to be even better against the Rams at home this week.
The Rams are nice and rested coming off a Thursday game with a little extra break. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are coming off their second straight road game on the short week. It's just something to ponder when the mind forecasts a peak Dallas this weekânot that it won't materialize necessarily. We see the Rams' improved playmaking having an impact, at least enough to cover the number. We're taking the Rams.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm taking the Los Angeles Rams plus 7.5 points.Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today and bet the Rams vs. Cowboys game from home by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 50% sign-up bonus!
