Favored 49ers Seek to Exploit Cowboys’ Defense
By Charles Jay
The San Francisco 49ers are wondering what they can do to get over the hump and make it back to the Super Bowl. They like to think they have added more offense, and that could be the right formula for the season opener, as they travel to the Loan Star State to take on the Dallas Cowboys, who were found wanting on defense last season, in NFL betting action at BetAnySports that will take place at 4:25 PM ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
Last season was another successful one for the Niners and Jim Harbaugh, but not successful enough, as they were stopped short by Seattle in the NFC championship game. Including playoff action, they finished with a 14-5 straight-up record, and a mark of 11-6-2 against the football pointspread. Dallas disappointed again, with an 8-8 straight-up record, and they were 9-7 against the number. Quarterback Tony Romo hurt his back at the tail end of the season and required surgery. He has returned, although the team took it easy with him in the pre-season. As usual, he will have plenty of weapons at his disposal, including running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Dez Bryant, a couple of Pro Bowl performers.
In the NFL betting odds that have been established on this game at BetAnySports, San Francisco is favored on the road:
San Francisco 49ers -4
Dallas Cowboys +4
Over 51 Points -110
Under 51 Points -110
To say that Dallas has some problems on the defensive side of the football would be a vast understatement. The Cowboys allowed 415 yards per game, which was the worst figure in the entire National Football League. Then they released DeMarcus Ware, who has been one of the better pass rushers of this generation. Defensive lineman Jason Hatcher also departed. Linebacking standout Sean Lee got injured and is not available. Rookie cornerback DeMarcus Lawrence, who was being counted on, is out as well. And another corner, Orlando Scandrick, is sitting out a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. Four QB’s threw for at least 400 yards against this team last season. All in all, NFL bettors at BetAnySports have to wonder how the Cowboys are going to stop opponents from moving the chains.
The 49ers made a move to make their receiving corps deeper by acquiring Stevie Johnson, who was probably the best wideout in Buffalo last season. He joins Anquan Bouldin and Michael Crabtree to give Colin Kaepernick some very productive targets to throw at. Kaepernick, who signed a huge deal in the off-season, was a bit shaky in pre-season action (54.5%, 5.2 yards per attempt). But we know that he offers a dual threat, with his ability to run the ball out of the read option, and the Niners have gotten some good news in the form of rookie Carlos Hyde out of Ohio State, who will relieve the burden on feature running back Frank Gore.
San Francisco has its own problems on defense as well, as BetAnySports patrons can gather, with the suspension of pass rusher Aldon Smith and the injury to linebacker NoVorro Bohlman. They also lost three key members of the secondary – Donte Whitner, Carlos Rogers and Terrel Brown. So naturally, questions among NFL bettors have arisen as to whether this unit will be as nasty as it has been in the past. As he has compiled a 36-11-1 record since assuming the head-coaching reins, there are certainly many people who believe that Harbaugh will come up with some answers. But this one may be a shoot out, which would interest many folks wagering on the total in the NFL betting odds.
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