Those doubting the Dallas Cowboys were given yet another reason to change their attitude towards the team when Jerry Jones’ bunch struck again in Week 7. The Cowboys beat the New York Giants Sunday, 31-21, for their sixth-straight victory and a gain of the solo lead in the NFC East. They’ll put on the line their winning streak when they welcome the Washington Redskins, who are looking for their first back-to-back victories this season. Read on for a detailed breakdown of this Monday Night Football matchup.
You can also check out our preview of Chargers vs. Broncos and Bears vs. Patriots.
[sc:Football ]Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys Betting Preview
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
When: Monday, October 27, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Washington Redskins (+9.5) at Dallas Cowboys (-9.5); total: 49.5 – see all NFL lines
Betting on the Washington Redskins
[sc:NFL240banner ]The Redskins would take a win any way they can have just to stop their bleeding, but their 19-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans left so much to be desired. However, if Washington is to impress anyone, the Redskins will have to play a far smoother game against a tougher opponent, an opportunity they’ll get when they head to Arlington to face the red-hot Dallas Cowboys next Monday. The Redskins are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games there.
Kirk Cousins, who started against Tennessee, was in his turnover-prone self again, as he passed for 139 yards with no touchdown and an interception – his fourth in the last two games and ninth overall, second most in the NFL thus far this season.
Cousins was benched at halftime and was replaced by Colt McCoy, who proceeded to throw for 128 yards and a TD to lead Washington to the win, thus giving birth to another round of QB controversy in the team. But regardless of whether Jay Gruden will revert to Cousins against Dallas or roll the dice with McCoy, the Redskins won’t get much lift on offense if the offensive line continue to eat the dust left by opposing defenses. McCoy soon found out how easy it is for opposing teams to invade Washington’s pocket when he got sacked twice for a loss of eight yards.
The Redskins’ defense, meanwhile, has a larger task ahead, which is finding a way to contain Dallas’ explosive running game. Washington isn’t too shabby in defending against the rush with a 12th-ranked 103.3 yards allowed on the ground allowed per game, but they gave up 225 rushing yards to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.
The total has hit the over in each of the Redskins’ last two games.
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Betting on the Dallas Cowboys
You can’t admire the success the Cowboys are enjoying thus far this season without standing in awe at the body of work put up by DeMarco Murray. Murray has torn apart every defense that dared cross his path, including that of the New York Giants’, which he torched for 128 rushing yards and a TD Sunday to set a new NFL record for most consecutive 100-yard games to start a season with seven straight.
Murray’s performance was so scintillating that it’s easy to overlook the other components in Dallas’ game that make the Cowboys an offensive killing machine.
There’s the passing game led by the much-maligned Tony Romo, who threw for 279 yards and three TDs against the Giants. The Redskins have a quality pass defense, one that limits foes down to 218.6 per game, but even it could easily be dizzied by Dallas’ passing attack, which features a deep bunch of receivers. Take for example tight end Gavin Escobar, who came out of nowhere and caught two TDs against the Giants. At the top of the pecking order of Romo’s receiving set are Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, who are averaging 84.3 and 38.0 yards per game, respectively.
Washington’s third down defense, meanwhile, has been bad over its last three games, allowing an average of 48.94% third down conversion percentage to opponents. On the flipside, the Cowboys are the best in the NFL in clearing third downs with a conversion rate of 56.25% during those instances.
Dallas is 4-1 in their last five home games against the Redskins. The Cowboys are also 3-0 in their last three games at AT&T Stadium.
Writer’s Prediction
Dallas wins in a hard-fought contest. Washington covers.
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