With a playoff berth already in the bag, the Dallas Cowboys will look to close out their regular season schedule with a victory over the Washington Redskins, who upset them in AT&T Stadium in Week 8. Will the Cowboys avenge that defeat? Or will the Redskins finish their 2014 campaign on a positive note?
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[sc:Football ]Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: FedExField, Landover
When: Sunday, December 28, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins – see all NFL lines
Betting on the Dallas Cowboys
How about them Cowboys? Needing one more win to clinch a playoff berth, Dallas delivered an emphatic 42-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday to punch the franchise’s first ticket to the postseason since 2009.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Romo looked playoff-ready against the Colts, completing 18 of 20 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. Making the win even more memorable for the Cowboys was Romo’s setting of a new franchise record, becoming the Cowboys’ all-time passing leader by surpassing Troy Aikman’s 32,942 yards.
Romo, who hurt his back in the first meeting against the Redskins back in Week 8, is apparently in great shape heading into the rematch with Washington. He’s going to need his protection unit to show up, though, as he was sacked five times for a loss of 54 yards in the loss to the Redskins.
The Cowboys defense, on the other hand, deserves a big share of the limelight in the team’s thrashing of Indianapolis. Andrew Luck was essentially rendered ineffective by the Cowboys. Luck threw just 109 yards and didn’t have a passing touchdown for the first time this season. The Cowboys also picked Luck twice. Overall, the Cowboys forced three turnovers off Indianapolis.
DeMarco Murray will also be another key figure to watch out in Week 17. Murray rushed for 141 yards on 19 carries in the loss to Washington.
The Cowboys are 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
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Betting on the Washington Redskins
In a game that has major playoff implications in the NFC East, the Redskins did Dallas a huge favor by beating the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-24, on Sunday. They also kept their fan base’s sanity in check with the win, as they finally ended their six-game losing skid.
Robert Griffin III started for Washington against the Eagles, taking over Colt McCoy, who suffered a season-ending neck injury. McCoy was under center when Washington beat the Cowboys in Week 8, but with him injured, RG3 will have the reins this coming Sunday in the rematch versus Dallas. Griffin played well in the Philadelphia game. Although he didn’t have a touchdown pass and had an interception, he nevertheless managed to complete 16 of his 23 passes.
Quarterback play aside, the Redskins will certainly look to duplicate the success of their defense and rushing game in their win over the Cowboys in Week 8.
The Redskins rushed for 123 yards against Dallas in the first meeting. Running back Alfred Morris led Washington in that game, finishing with 73 rushing yards and a touchdown. Against Philadelphia, Morris became the first Redskin to gain 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, as he rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, the Washington’s pass rush will be front and center again for the Redskins’ defense that had already sacked Romo five times. That means linebacker Ryan Kerrigan will be pressed to deliver once again. Kerrigan has been a beast in the Redskins’ defense this season, leading the team with 13.5 sacks. Kerrigan has six sacks in Washington’s last six games.
The over is 4-0-1 in the Redskins’ last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Washington wins, 27-24.
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