While a suspension looms, the Cowboys will be able to squeak out at least one more game with running back Ezekiel Elliott when they arrive at FedEx Field to face the Washington Redskins. They may as well enjoy their road-favorite status while it lasts. The Redskins opened as opened as 1.5-point favorites, but as news broke that the NFL’s attempt to expedite the hearing of Elliott’s case was rejected, the line moved to give the edge to the Cowboys.
Dallas smacked San Francisco last week, winning 40-10 but that does not mean that all is right in Big D. It was encouraging that Ezekiel Elliott had his best game of the season and has rushed for more than 115 yards in the last two games. They need to play off him. Similarly Dak Prescott had his best game of the season with a rating of 134. That is what you are supposed to do against bad teams though.
Dak has had mixed results on the road this season so you might want to handicap how you think he will do in a very specific way for this one. The receiving corps for Dallas continues to be average at best, which is why the offense really struggles when the running game is not much of a factor. Giving up just 10 points looks good but the Cowboys have been skewered by defenses that have some semblance of a working offense.
Demarcus Lawrence continued his hot start with another sack against San Francisco. He now has at least one sack in every game this season. He better bring the heat though because the Cowboys are not good at forcing turnovers, just two interceptions on the season. 11 players have more than that.
Washington had early leads on Monday Night against Philadelphia but in the end they fell rather easily against the Eagles. A team they have lost to twice already. Kirk Cousins had a strong day with more than 300 yards passing but some of those numbers were put up in garbage time.
They had not choice but to get away from the run in the second half but sometimes I think they are too quick to think pass. Its not like they have Montana to Rice to go to. TEs were the feature of the passing attack and they do have good one. Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed are elite athletes who make plays On defense the Redskins did as good a job an anyone bottling up LeGarrette Blount. That bodes well for their game against Dallas and their running game. They also put pressure on Carson Went, they just weren’t able to force him into mistakes. They need some short fields and turnovers to beat better teams.
Writer’s Prediction:
This game will be in play all game long so it make make you sweat. Dallas should run out the clock on their way to a victory. This will not be a strong play though as the gaps between these teams are not that great. I just like the ceiling of Dallas a lot more. Pick: Dallas Cowboys (-2)
