The Cowboys' six-game winning streak came to a sudden halt this past Monday night in a 20-17 loss to Washington, but far more significant than that loss was the fact that the total in that game stayed well "under" the closing 49.5-point line. This just so happened to be my 3-unit NFC East 'play of the week' for Doc's Sports. I am now 5-3 on the year with a two-game winning streak heading into this week's action.

Each and every week of this year's NFL regular season I will be previewing all the games in the NFC East. With the use of BetOnline's betting odds I will also release my NFC East "pick of the week". Along with each selection, I have provided a recommended unit play with the use of Doc's Sports Unit Betting System, with the ultimate goal of generating a solid profit with these free picks. Heading into Week 9 of the NFL season, my yearly return on a $100 wager using the recommended unit play stands at plus $500

Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m.)

Cardinals squeezed out a 24-20 victory against Philadelphia as one-point home favorites last Sunday to move to 6-1 straight up on the year with a healthy 5-2 record against the spread. The total has stayed under in five of the seven games behind a defense that is ranked fifth in the NFL in points allowed (19.9). Arizona is ranked third in the league against the run, which presents a very interesting matchup in this game.

Dallas running back DeMarco Murray extended his NFL record-breaking streak of 100+ yards rushing to eight games in Monday night's loss with 141 yards on 19 carries, and it looks like he may have to really carry the load in this game with Tony Romo hampered by a back contusion. While the Cowboys opened as four-point home favorites in this game, BetOnline currently has it "off the board" pending Romo's status for Sunday afternoon.

Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m.)

The Redskins' quarterback situation remains up in the air with Robert Griffin III still awaiting clearance to return to the starting lineup after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1. Colt McCoy led the offense in Monday's win, and while his overall numbers were way short of spectacular, he did make enough plays to get the job done. The big story this week could be Washington's defense after a stellar effort its last time out.

Minnesota continues to hang around in the NFC North title race at 3-5 SU (4-4 ATS), but this team still has its fair share of issues on offense. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has shined at times, but overall he is completing just 60 percent of his throws, and he has five interceptions against two touchdown passes. The Vikings' defense has stepped up by holding opponents to 21.6 points a game.

BetOnline has listed Minnesota as a 2.5-point home favorite, but those betting odds could radically change if RG III is cleared to start. The total has seen set at 44.5.

Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants (Monday, Nov. 3, 8:30 p.m.)

The Colts will be looking to get back on track after getting shredded last Sunday in a 51-34 loss to Pittsburgh as five-point road favorites. Ben Roethlisberger set several Steelers' franchise records in that game with 522 yards passing and six scoring strikes through the air. Indianapolis (5-3 SU) still has one of the most potent offensive attacks in the league behind its quarterback Andrew Luck, but its defense continues to be suspect at best.

The Giants will look to snap a two-game losing streak and are coming off a bye. They were outscored a combined 58-21 in damaging losses to Philadelphia and Dallas. It appears to be an all-or-nothing proposition with this team after it won its previous three contests by a combined score of 105-51. Much of this roller coaster ride can be attributed to the inconsistent play on offense and especially with its veteran signal caller Eli Manning.

Indianapolis will head into Monday night's game at MetLife Stadium as a three-point road favorite, with the total set at 50.5.

NFC East Week 9 'Pick of the Week'

Philadelphia Eagles at Houston Texans (Sunday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m.)

The Eagles' loss last week to Arizona dropped them to 5-2 both SU and ATS, but with the Cowboys' loss they are still just a half a game out of first place in the division title race. Chip Kelly is in his second season with the team, and you would have to go back to Week 8 of last year to find the last time his team has dropped consecutive games. Philadelphia has developed a habit of winning the games it is supposed to with a 10-2 record ATS in its last 12 games as a favorite, including a perfect 4-0 ATS record as a favorite this season.

Houston made a splash out of the gate with three SU victories in its first four games after winning just twice last season. Since that point the Texans are 1-3 SU (2-2 ATS) but are coming off a 30-16 victory against Tennessee as 3.5-point favorites on the road. While there is no denying that this defense can be disruptive with 17 takeaways on the year, it is highly doubtful that Houston's offense will be able to keep pace on the scoreboard with an offense that is ranked 26^th in the NFL in passing yards and 17^th in points (23.1).

4-Unit Play: Take Philadelphia (-1) over Houston

YTD: 5-3 (+$500)

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Read more articles by Dave Schwab