NFL Betting: Cowboys knock off Giants in big upset

A new coach worked a near miracle for the Dallas Cowboys. Jason Garrett, who replaced fired coach Wade Phillips this week, guided the Cowboys to one of the biggest upsets of the NFL season today.

Jon Kitna passed for 327 yards and three touchdowns to lead Dallas to a 33-20 victory over the New York Giants, who opened as 14-point home favorites.

The line closed at 12-1/2 at most sports books, and the Cowboys were anywhere from plus-425 to plus-550 to win straight up on the money line.

"The Giants, in some eyes, are the best team in the league. With the Cowboys winning as about 13-point underdogs, that pretty much sums up the season," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said.

"The sharper, bigger plays were on Dallas. Most of the betting public came in on the Giants."

The New York Jets pulled off maybe the most improbable point-spread cover of the season.

The Jets, favored by 3 to 3 1/2 points, defeated Cleveland 26-20 as Santonio Holmes scored on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez with 16 seconds remaining in overtime.

The Denver Broncos were easy winners as 1-point home underdogs. The Broncos blasted the Kansas City Chiefs, 49-29.

The Pittsburgh Steelers closed as 4 1/2-point home favorites over the New England Patriots in tonight's game.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.