Ravens Open as 7.5-Point Favorites Against Cowboys on Tuesday Night Football of Week 13
- The Baltimore Ravens opened as 7.5-point favorites over the Dallas Cowboys in next Tuesday’s game (Dec. 8th)
- Dallas is 3-7 straight up and 2-8 against the spread this season
- Minus nine starters due to COVID-19, the Ravens lost 19-14 to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, falling to 6-5
Evidently, oddsmakers are much more confident in the uncertainty of the Baltimore Ravens than they are in the certainty of the Dallas Cowboys.
With a roster ravaged by COVID-19, the 6-5 Ravens fell 19-14 on Wednesday to the 11-0 Pittsburgh Steelers as 10.5-point underdogs. Baltimore will be making a 17-point swing in the betting line this week. The Ravens have opened as 7.5-point home favorites in Tuesday’s game against the Cowboys.
The 3-7 Cowboys are even worse against the spread. Dallas is 2-8 ATS this season, going 1-4 ATS on the road and 1-3 ATS as a road underdog.
Cowboys vs Ravens Odds – Week 13
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | +300 | +7.5 (-110) | OFF |
| Baltimore Ravens | -375 | -7.5 (-110) | OFF |
Odds taken Dec. 3rd at FanDuel.
This game will be an 8:05pm EST kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium. The forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies, 5 mph wind and a temperature of 32 degrees.
Ravens Show Resiliency
Taking the field to face the unbeaten Steelers on the road, the ailing Ravens were a depleted bunch. Baltimore was minus nine starters. Seven of those out were Pro Bowl players, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP.
Overall, Baltimore currently lists 17 players on the COVID-19 reserve list. It’s not known yet if any among that group will be cleared to play on Tuesday against Dallas, although it’s expected that Jackson will return to action.
Proud to be a Raven. pic.twitter.com/Fszst0ZsLe
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 3, 2020
By comparison, the Tennessee Titans went 16 days between games due to a COVID-19 outbreak on their team. The Titans whipped Buffalo 42-16 in their return to action. Five days later, facing the woeful Houston Texans, they needed overtime to claim a 42-36 victory.
Could it be that adrenaline got the Ravens through their rivalry game against the hated Steelers? Might a letdown be in store against the pitiful Cowboys?
Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?
Dallas is amazingly just one game out of a playoff spot in the dismal NFC East. The Cowboys are without QB Dak Prescott, out for the season with an ankle injury. Two-time NFL rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott has one 100-yard game to his credit this season.
"One game at a time"
Michael Gallup on the team's mindset during week 13
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 2, 2020
The Cowboys have scored less than 20 points in four of their past five games. They’ve surrendered more than 30 points in six of 11 games. Dallas is the NFL’s worst-scoring defense, allowing 32.6 points per game.
Injury Report
As if the COVID-19 situation wasn’t bad enough, Ravens backup QB Robert Griffin III (hamstring) is questionable for Tuesday’s game. If Jackson can’t answer the bell, that could leave Trace McSorley to make his first NFL start.
Trace McSorley is taking the field with the @Ravens against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Filling in for Robert Griffin III, McSorley is getting his first NFL action in 2020.
pic.twitter.com/phxliR6Frb— Onward State (@OnwardState) December 2, 2020
Nose tackle Brandon Williams (ankle) and cornerback Jimmy Smith (groin) are also questionable for Baltimore.
For the Cowboys, both starting tackles are unlikely to play. Right tackle Zack Martin (calf) is out. Left tackle Cameron Erving (knee) is doubtful. Cornerback Anthony Brown (ribs) is questionable.
Trend Spotting
Baltimore is 4-1 against teams with losing records this season. This game will also see wide receiver Dez Bryant, lured out of retirement by the Ravens, facing the Cowboys, his old club. Bryant started Wednesday against Pittsburgh.
Robert Griffin III warming up for a Wednesday afternoon game and throwing to Dez Bryant. This is 2020.
(via @Ravens) pic.twitter.com/qpbeCAr7Tq
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 2, 2020
The Ravens are 4-1 SU against Dallas. That includes a 3-0 slate in Baltimore.
The movement on this line figures to be predicated on developments in Jackson’s condition. If it becomes clear that he’ll be playing, expect action on the Ravens. If it’s doubtful that he’ll be able to answer the bell, then it’s likely that the line would shorten on Dallas.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
