Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.Robert Deutsch/Reuters
Never one to mince words, Jerry Jones has put Jason Garrett and his coaching staff on alert heading into what’s supposed to be a festive holiday.
Dallas plays its traditional U.S. Thanksgiving home game on Thursday, playing host to the Buffalo Bills. At 6-5 and coming off a very winnable game in New England that the Cowboys managed to mess up, Jones isn’t in a thankful mood. Maybe he should be considering the NFC East the Cowboys lead is a very weak division, especially with Philadelphia so damaged by injuries.
If the Cowboys serve up a turkey against a Buffalo squad that is 8-3 and in the thick of the AFC wild-card race, Jones’s mood could sour seriously.
“It’s frustrating to be reminded of the fundamentals of football and coaching that beat us out there,” Jones said. “There is no question [New England] put pressure on people returning the kicks and people handling the ball on special teams. There is no question that [Patriots coach Bill Belichick] used that to put some special emphasis on it. So yeah, I’m frustrated.”
The Cowboys, ranked 11th in the AP Pro32, are a seven-point favourite over No. 9 Buffalo. Dallas doesn’t rout anyone these days and could fall here.
COWBOYS, 20-16
KNOCKOUT POOL: Pittsburgh “Ducked” being Cincinnati’s first victim. Still on our boards are the PACKERS, who will rebound from that San Francisco debacle.
No. 15 Oakland (plus 10) at No. 8 Kansas City
Raiders fell into a trap game last week. They’ll be focused enough for key AFC West match.
BEST BET: CHIEFS, 30-28
No. 21 Los Angeles Chargers (minus 2½) at No. 28 Denver
Is Philip Rivers ready for retirement? Sure has looked that way recently.
UPSET SPECIAL: BRONCOS, 20-19
No. 20 Chicago (minus 2½) at No. 27 Detroit (Thursday)
Watch the parade, do the cooking, play some backyard ball instead of watching this.
BEARS, 17-10
No. 5 New Orleans (minus 7) at No. 26 Atlanta (Thursday)
The Falcons went to Big Easy and romped. Payback.
SAINTS, 36-21
No. 2 New England (minus 3) at No. 10 Houston
Patriots are vulnerable, but Bill O’Brien’s team tends to disappear against New England.
PATRIOTS, 16-14
No. 3 San Francisco (plus 6) at No. 1 Baltimore
That stunning Lamar Jackson-led show on Monday night sure impressed oddsmakers.
RAVENS, 27-24
No. 6 Minnesota (plus 3) at No. 4 Seattle (Monday night)
Pretty even game – except for coaching matchup.
SEAHAWKS, 20-16
No. 13 Los Angeles Rams (minus 3) at No. 24 Arizona
What was that we saw – or didn’t see – from Rams against Ravens?
RAMS, 24-20
No. 19 Cleveland (minus 2) at No. 16 Pittsburgh
Easy remaining schedule has Browns thinking playoff run. But they can’t stumble here.
BROWNS, 17-13
No. 7 Green Bay (minus 6½) at No. 31 New York Giants
Not sure anyone on the Giants’ D could start for Niners, who plagued Aaron Rodgers last week.
PACKERS, 30-14
No. 30 Washington (plus 10) at No. 18 Carolina
Big spread for slumping team such as Panthers. We’ll buy into it.
PANTHERS, 31-20
No. 14 Tennessee (plus 2½) at No 12 Indianapolis
Major matchup in AFC South, with loser in trouble in the playoff chase.
COLTS, 24-23
No. 17 Philadelphia (minus 9) at No. 29 Miami
Eagles too banged-up to be favoured by nine over Miami Hurricanes, let alone the Dolphins.
EAGLES, 20-13
No. 23 Tampa Bay (plus 1) at No. 25 Jacksonville
A Super Sunshine State matchup? Not exactly.
JAGUARS, 21-19
No. 22 New York Jets (minus 3½) at No. 32 Cincinnati
Jets get their fourth straight victory, Bengals their 12th loss in row this season.
JETS, 30-22
2019 RECORD:
Last Week: 8-5-1 against spread, 9-5 straight up.
Season Totals: 93-80-2 against spread, 108-65-1 straight up.
Best Bet: 10-2 against spread, 10-2 straight up.
Upset special: 6-6 against spread, 6-6 straight up.