Fansided

Dallas Cowboys open as Thanksgiving favorites vs Carolina

By Rucker Haringey

Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) looks on during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) looks on during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thursday’s match-up between the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys feature one undefeated team playing a three win opponent. Shockingly, the three win  Cowboys open as a one point favorite against the 10-o Panthers.

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said all the right things about going into Dallas as an underdog in public. He called the line “a little disrespectful” and quickly moved on from the subject. You can bet that in private, he and his team have a lot more to say about it.

The Panthers, coming off a blowout 44-16 drubbing of Washington, head to Dallas to take on “America’s Team” on Thanksgiving Day. Yes, playing at Dallas can be tough. Yes, playing on short-rest on the road is difficult. Yes, Tony Romo is back in the saddle for Dallas. But no, those reasons shouldn’t be enough to make the Cowboys favorites over the undefeated Panthers.

The Panthers were already going to come into Dallas high on confidence after their big home win against Washington. Now, thanks to Las Vegas they are going to come in spitting fire as well. You can bet that Rivera and the rest of the Carolina coaching staff are going to use the underdog status as motivation for the team all week.

The Panthers already headed to Texas chasing an undefeated season. Now they head to Jerry World looking for more respect.

The Cowboys might actually deserve pity in this situation. It isn’t their fault that the line opened up and made them favorites in the match up. In reality, the line was only set in Dallas’ favor because of the general public’s love affair with betting on Dallas.

This effect is heightened even further with the increased attention and betting activity associated with Thanksgiving Day games. Jason Garrett and the Cowboy coaching staff would have been happy to see the Panthers enter the game as the favorite, but they’ve gotten no such luck.

Even more ironically, it’s entirely possible that by the time game day rolls around the Panthers will be favored once again. The outrage at the initial line will only provide the game with more interest from both fans and gamblers. The money from those who are surprised at the opening line will come in almost exclusively for the Panthers which will, of course, move the line in their favor.

Where the line will ultimately end up isn’t important to the Panthers though. Ron Rivera and his team already feel the sting of the public’s disrespect and will use it to their advantage on Thursday. This might be the only thing the Cowboys needed less than another Tony Romo injury.

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