2010 NFL Sunday Odds and Playoff Predictions: Now that the Saints and Colts have claimed two of the spots in next week's conference championship games, four other teams will battle for the final two spots on Sunday.
F
irst, in a matchup that brings back memories of 30-plus years ago involving guys named Staubach, Pearson, Tarkenton, and a Hail Mary, the Dallas Cowboys head north to take on the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC divisional-round bout at the Metrodome at 1:00 pm Eastern (FOX). Then out West, in a matchup of two of the original eight AFL franchises, the San Diego Chargers host the New York Jets for an AFC divisional-rounder at Qualcomm Stadium (4:40 pm, CBS).
As of Sunday morning Sportsbook.com is listing Minnesota at -2.5 over Dallas, with a total of 45.5. The Vikings are also being offered at -145 on the Sportsbook.com NFL betting moneyline, with the Cowboys getting +125 to win the game outright.
Sportsbook is also listing San Diego at -8 over New York, with a total of 42.5. And the Chargers are giving -370 on the moneyline, with the Jets getting +305 to win straight up.
Dallas is on a roll; after beating Philadelphia last week in an NFC Wild Card game 34-14, the NFC East champion Cowboys have won four straight games by a combined score of 99-31. And maybe just as importantly, they've gotten a couple of monkeys off their backs, such as the one that said Dallas can't win past November, or the one that said Wade Phillips and Tony Romo can't win a playoff game. Right now, with their defense and running game, the Pokes are a dangerous bunch.
Minnesota, meanwhile, will try to regain the momentum it had earlier this season, when the Vikes won 10 of their first 11 games. But the Purple People struggled a bit down the stretch, losing three of their last five games. They did, however, win the NFC North, and as the two seed in the NFC had last week off.
These two teams haven't met in a game that mattered in a couple of seasons. They did meet in the final exhibition week last fall also at the Metrodome in a game won by the Cowboys 35-31 that featured four returns for scores, and no Brett Favre or Tony Romo.
Over in the AFC the Jets took advantage of a good game from rookie QB Mark Sanchez and 171 yards from their running game to beat Cincinnati last week 24-14 in a Wild Card bout. So New York has now won six of its last seven games.
San Diego rides an 11-game winning streak into the playoffs. And as the two seed in the AFC the Chargers had last week off.
The Jets and Bolts last met early last season, when San Diego spotted New York a quick 7-0 lead, then rolled to a 48-29 victory on a Monday night at The Q.
NFL Sunday Predictions: We like the Cowboys and Chargers. Good Luck!
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