Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Spread Saturday Night Football Game 2011: One can easily make the argument that the emergence of rookie running back DeMarco Murray was one of the biggest reasons the Dallas Cowboys were able to find some offensive stability this season.
When it appeared that the Cowboys were destined for another disastrous season and with Tony Romo blowing games left and right, the kid from Oklahoma emerged to rush for 109 yards per contest during Dallas’ 4-game win streak. What will the Cowboys do now that Murray has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a high sprained ankle? Do they go back to putting the fate of this team in Romo’s hands?
On the verge of falling out of playoff contention, the (7-6) Dallas Cowboys [-7] will travel to Florida’s West Coast to take on the (4-9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers [+7] on a rare Saturday Night matchup. According to NFL Point Spreads specialists, the OVER/UNDER between Dallas and Tampa Bay is set at a combined total of 47.5 points scored.
Dallas comes into this Week 15 matchup losers of two straight games, having relinquished the NFC East lead, and on the verge of yet another playoff-less season. Everyone believes that Jason Garrett’s seat is getting hotter by the week, as it would certainly appear that missing the playoffs would lead to his firing.
“It appears like he is gone for the season,” Garrett said of Murray.
Murray injured his ankle during the second drive of the game and did not return. His leg was caught underneath on an attempted tackle by Giants defensive end Dave Tollefson. Going into last week’s game against New York, Murray was the Cowboys’ leading rusher with 897 yards on 164 carries.
Murray rushed for a franchise-record 253 yards against the St. Louis Rams defense. It’s a shame that such a promising back’s season would come to an end so abruptly, but that’s just part of the game. One thing is for sure: no one will miss or will be more sorry about Murray’s absence than Romo himself. Watch the interceptions pile up here in the next three games for the ‘Boys!
