Despite being only the 16th team to start an NFL season 10-0 and facing the 3-7 Cowboys, the Carolina Panthers will be a one-point underdog with some bookmakers on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas.
Talk about odd.
Here’s how Bookmaker Sportsbook explains it:
From a pure power ratings perspective, Carolina should be favored in this matchup. But given that it’s the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day with Romo back on the field, we had to open the home squad as short chalk. The country will be watching and the Cowboys are still America’s team.
Coincidentally, the last time a 10-0 team was an underdog, the Cowboys were also the favorite in that game. On Nov. 17, 1985 the 7-3 Cowboys played host to the undefeated Bears, who were without quarterback Jim McMahon. The Cowboys were installed as a two-point favorite.
Final score: Bears 44, Cowboys 0.