By Jeff Mason
Sat, Nov 19, 2005

The Dallas Cowboys better watch out.

With a big 21-20 win as 3-point underdogs last Monday night against Philly and a home Thanksgiving date with Denver looming, it would be easy for Dallas to look past its home game this week against the Detroit Lions.

The Cowboys are 7 ˝-point favorites; the total is set at 39.

It’s definitely not something Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells needs to be warned of, but apparently he thinks he players do. To that end, he had big, blue mousetraps hanging from the ceiling at Cowboys’ headquarters this week.

“There might be mice in the building,” said Parcells, before adding, “There are a lot of vehicles to teach with. They don`t have to be all words and pictures.”

So if the Big Tuna is concerned that this week may be an infamous “trap game,” should bettors be as well?

“I guess it can be a trap game,” says Covers Expert Larry Ness. “It’s part of our job (as handicappers) to try and make an educated guess in these spots, but calling it a trap game is like saying anything can happen in the NFL.”

The Cowboys are 4-0-1 against the spread in their last five games after opening the season 1-3.

“You’ve got to give Parcells credit for what he’s accomplished,” says Ness. “If anyone can light a fire when needed, he can.”

It seems like more of a trap for Cowboys backers than anyone else. Despite a 4-5 record, the Loins are 6-3 against the spread on the season. That includes a 29-21 win last week over Arizona as 3 ˝-point favorites.

“Everyone’s saying Joey Harrington had a great game last week,” said Ness. “But does it even count against Arizona? These guys have serious quarterback problems, whether he or (Jeff) Garcia is starting.”

Garcia is currently listed as questionable with a leg injury and took snaps in practice this week, but reports out of Lions camp indicate Harrington will get the start after his three-touchdown performance last Sunday.
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