Monday Night Football Pick – Can Romo, Delhomme Overcome Critics?

For once, Jake Delhomme wasn’t the only quarterback getting slammed by critics. Tony Romo has yet to answer the call of Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman, who all lynched on Romosexual’s inability to properly mature and evolve. Basically, they said he didn’t have the “stuff” that a Cowboys quarterback is made of. Do you blame them?

Romo threw three picks against the Giants last week as they crumbled to defeat. With the Giants and Eagles rushing to the head of the class in the NFC, the Cowboys have done virtually nothing to improve their stock, and Romo is getting his feet held to the fire by the greatest Cowboys alumni out there. For all their firepower, the Cowboys have always had an ugly habit of breaking down, and a lot of that comes down to leadership. You can blame Wade Phillips and Romo for that part – neither of them have been able to hold a sinking ship together, and the mast of America’s Team is dipping below sea level.

The Cowboys will be without the rough and tumble running of Marion Barber (quadriceps injury) and will have to rely on Taster’s Choice and Felix Jones to get the rushing game in order. The Panthers hold a decisive edge through the air, with just 151.0 passing yards allowed. Without their premier back, the Boys may not be able to take advantage of a defense that has given up 168.0 rush yards in just two games.

Carolina Panthers (0-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)

Monday, September 28th — Cowboys Stadium, Dallas — 8:30pm EST

NFL Betting Line: Dallas -8.5 (48)

On the other sideline, Jake Delhomme has been the veritable laughing stock of the league (no offense, Dany Snyder). In his last 18 games, Delhomme has thrown 17 interceptions, and just 16 touchdowns. His inability to connect with Steve Smith, who has just 152 yards and zero scores, has murdered the six people left siding with the Panthers on the NFL betting line. It’s been well chronicled how piss poor Delhomme has been throughout the past three games for Carolina, but can he turn it around?

Dallas’s defense has been a disaster this year, giving up an average of 27.0 points per game and 438.5 total yards against. That’s been bad enough to rank them 26th in the NFL. I’m not 100% sold on DeAngelo Williams or Jake Delhomme, but I’m even less confident about Dallas’s defense.

Carolina may be giving up the most points in the league (33.0 points against in 2009), but they rank 13th in yards allowed. The defense has to continue to protect Delhomme from having to win the game, and a return to form against an overzealous Tony Romo is in the cards.

NFL Betting Trends

• Carolina is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
• Carolina is 1-7 SU in last 8 games against Dallas
• Carolina has pushed the OVER in their last 5 road games
• Dallas is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
• Dallas is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games at home
• Dallas has pushed the OVER in 4-of-5 against Carolina

At the end of the day, this game comes down to how each quarterback responds to the criticism. Delhomme is a veteran on the road, while Romo is a young buck with plenty to prove as the MNF announcing crew lavishes over the new Cowboys Stadium (“check out those HD screens, maaaan!”). At this point, Delhomme has nothing left to lose because the options in Carolina are slim to none. Romo, on the other hand, is young enough to lose the faith of the Dallas betting faithful, and the Cowboys fans. In a pressure cooker, I’m going against the guy who has the dial cranked up against him.

Furious Free Pick: Carolina +9.5 (OVER)