Dec 22, 2011; Las Vegas, NV, USA; General view of the welcome to fabulous Las Vegas sign on Las Vegas Boulevard before the 2011 Las Vegas Bowl between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Boise State Broncos at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Vegas odd makers have the Dallas Cowboys going 25/1 to make the Super Bowl next season. That’s just one under NFC foe New York Giants, who are going off at 20/1.

Another NFC rival, the Washington Redskins, are right beneath Dallas with odds of 30/1. Apparently, Vegas thinks the NFC East will be quite competitive next season.

Most surprising of all maybe the fact that the Denver Broncos are picked to go all the way at 7/1.

Here are the complete odds for all 32 NFL franchises:

Super Bowl XLVIII Odds (2014)

Odds to win the 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII  

• Denver Broncos                                         7/1
• New England Patriots                            15/2
• San Francisco 49ers                              15/2
• Green Bay Packers                                 10/1
• Baltimore Ravens                                   12/1
• Seattle Seahawks                                   12/1
• Houston Texans                                     14/1
• Atlanta Falcons                                      18/1
• New Orleans Saints                                18/1
• Pittsburgh Steelers                                18/1
• Chicago Bears                                        20/1
• New York Giants                                      20/1
• Dallas Cowboys                                       25/1
• Washington Redskins                              30/1
• Indianapolis Colts                                 33/1
• Cincinnati Bengals                                35/1
• Detroit Lions                                           35/1
• Minnesota Vikings                                 35/1
• Philadelphia Eagles                               35/1
• San Diego Chargers                               35/1
• New York Jets                                         40/1
• Carolina Panthers                                  50/1
• Kansas City Chiefs                                50/1
• Miami Dolphins                                      50/1
• St. Louis Rams                                       50/1
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers                         50/1
• Arizona Cardinals                                   66/1
• Cleveland Browns                                  66/1
• Tennessee Titans                                   66/1
• Buffalo Bills                                          100/1
• Oakland Raiders                                  100/1
• Jacksonville Jaguars                          150/1

What do you think about the Vegas odd makers numbers? Let your voice be heard in the comments section below.

December 9, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is pulled to the ground by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (93) at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

FIRST QUARTER
- Don’t hit snooze…

I have belabored this point all year long. Dallas cannot keep sleepwalking through the first half of games. The Cowboys are scoring barely over one touchdown prior to halftime (6.38 points per half) even though they average 23.3 points per game. Furthermore, Dallas has been behind or tied at the half in nine of their twelve games. Getting off to a strong start and being able to play with a lead would be crucial, especially on the road. Cincinnati has only one win versus an opponent with a winning record and in that one win, they were the one who got off to the quick start with a 17-6 halftime lead.

SECOND QUARTER
- ‘Tis the season of NOT giving…

The Cowboys are 3-2 in their last five games, with two losses by less than seven points including a road game versus the 11-1 Falcons. This is due in large part to the fact that in those five games, they have had a total of four turnovers. Three of the four came in the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Redskins. In the previous seven games, the Cowboys had NINETEEN turnovers which resulted in a 3-4 start. These included games versus the Giants and Bears that were literally given away due to this issue. Plain and simple, if Dallas controls their possessions, they will be in a great spot to win, especially since the Bengals defense is very average statistically.

THIRD QUARTER
- It’s not easy beating Green…

In the span of 27 career NFL games, A.J. Green has placed himself clearly in the upper echelon of wide receivers. I think most everyone would say Calvin Johnson is the best but Green certainly can stake a claim to that number two spot. Green has back to back 1,000 yard receiving years and 17 total touchdowns including a streak earlier this year of nine straight games with a score. Without question, stopping or at least limiting him has to be the Cowboys main focus on defense. I don’t believe that Dallas has any other option besides consistently doubling him when he’s on the outside and using Brandon Carr on him in slot situations to jam him with another corner essentially playing zone behind in case he gets off the jam. If Green has a big day, the Cowboys could receive the death nail to their playoff hopes.

FOURTH QUARTER
- Pocket protectors…

While Cincinnati is solid defensively, ranking in the top thirteen in rushing yards allowed, passing yards allowed and points per game allowed, they are best at getting to the quarterback, posting a league high thirteen sacks. As we know, the Cowboys offensive line has been anything but stellar all year long. Whether it’s been penalties or the lack of time given to Tony Romo to properly do his job, the line has been the most glaringly weak unit on the team. If the Cowboys are to have any success, Romo needs time to expose the questionable secondary of the Bengals and not just late in the third quarter and in the fourth to pull a miracle out of the hat.

The bottom line is that both teams need this to keep their playoff aspirations on point but for some reason, I believe in the Cowboys this week. They have played better on the road than at home this year. The pick… Cowboys 27, Bengals 23.

Now for the picks for the week. As I mentioned earlier, each week I like to make my picks against the spread. Last week I had a pretty good week, going 10-6 against the spread however I am still under .500 for the year. I am hoping to get back over that hump this week. My pick will be in all caps and in bold with the spread next to the team name.

LAST WEEK: 10-6 (.625)
SEASON TOTAL: 95-96 (.497)
THIS WEEK: 1-0 (1,000)

+2.5 BALTIMORE at Washington
+7 KANSAS CITY at Cleveland
+8 SAN DIEGO at Pittsburgh
Tennessee at INDIANAPOLIS -5.5
N.Y. Jets at JACKSONVILLE +3
-3 CHICAGO at Minnesota
-3.5 ATLANTA at Carolina
+7.5 PHILADELPHIA at Tampa Bay
St. Louis at BUFFALO -3
+3 DALLAS at Cincinnati
+10 MIAMI at San Francisco
New Orleans at N.Y. GIANTS -5
Arizona at SEATTLE -10
+7 DETROIT at Green Bay
Houston at NEW ENGLAND -3.5

Oct 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones prior to the game against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

It’s time to face reality.  The Dallas Cowboys, as currently assembled and coached, kinda suck.  Not all the time, but for long portions of every game.

Many of you will want to blame Tony Romo, because he threw 2 more interceptions against the Washington Redskins to add to his league leading 15. That’s too simple.

If you followed Romo’s career, he doesn’t throw any more INT’s than Eli Manning or Philip Rivers or even former Cowboys QB, Troy Aikman.  The timing of his picks can suck sometimes, but he still has one of the best career QB ratings, especially in the 4th quarter.  How can he be the Cowboy’s problem?  Him, or any other particular player?

Many of you want to blame Jason Garrett,  what with his predictable, conservative play calling and all.  I buy into that, a little, myself, even saying so in many articles I’ve written.  That’s also too simple. (more…)