Now that we know New England isn't a sure cover, even against lower echelon NFL teams such as Philadelphia, the eyes of pro football are focused on Thursday's key NFC match up between 10-1 Dallas and Green Bay.
If you don't have access to the NFL Network, however, forget about watching it.
It's not being shown to the masses.
Both clubs will be playing after Thanksgiving Day victories, which means that they will have a normal week's rest.
Green Bay belted Detroit, while Dallas downed the New York Jets in early Week 12 games.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants sent the number out at Cowboys minus 6 1/2, but it was a touchdown across the board at Las Vegas bet shops on Tuesday.
The total was 51 1/2 to 52.
"This game should be a really good one," said LVSC chief oddsmaker Ken White, who called Green Bay a take at minus 7.
VegasInsider.com handicapper Jimmy Boyd believes Dallas, a/k/a America's team, will benefit from the home-field advantage and win straight up.
Boyd finds the identical 10-1 records interesting.
“Dallas was expected to challenge for NFC supremacy, but Green Bay was considered a long shot, with most Vegas books opening futures on the Packers in the 50/1 and up range.”
“Numbers have been plummeting throughout the season.”
“The AFC remains a double-digit Super Bowl favorite.”
“I still feel like the Pack is overachieving," Boyd observed succinctly.
"Dallas is legit and home field gives them the edge, just as oddsmakers are seeing it."
Another team that Boyd wanted to discuss was defending NFC titlist Chicago, which is 5-6 following an overtime victory against visiting Denver on Sunday.
Each thinks it may be a bit early to count the Bears out of everything.
Boyd explained, “If the Bears are coming on while Detroit is folding, they still have a (playoff) shot.”
"All their remaining games are very winnable, in my opinion."
