Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys Preview
Where: AT&T Stadium — Arlington, TX
When: Thursday, November 24, 2016, 4:30 PM ET
Line: Washington Redskins (+7) at Dallas Cowboys (-7); total: 51.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
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Betting on the Washington Redskins (+7)
After the 42-24 beating they gave to the Packers Sunday, the Redskins are now 6-3-1. It should be a good enough record to lead a division, but not in the NFC East, as they are still trailing the 7-3 Giants and the 9-1 Cowboys.
In Kirk Cousins’ last meeting with the ‘Boys, he passed for 364 yards, but he also threw a pick and was hit 11 times. As he and his team prepare for their second encounter, he’ll look to have the momentum from this recent Green Bay game, where he had 375 yards (17.8 yards per completion), three TDs, and zero INTs.
Expect the QB to hook up with his receiving corps often – DeSean Jackson, Jordan Reed, Pierre Garcon, and Jamison Crowder – who collectively hauled in 18 out of 20 passes thrown between them. Garcon and Crowder had the most noteworthy game, as both had 100-plus receiving yards and one TD.
The run game was also huge. Their ground production was right in the middle of the NFL prior to Week 11 (113.3 per game – ranked 15th), but Robert Kelley went past that and more, rushing for a career-high 137 yards and three TDs. If he did that obliteration to the Packers’ third-ranked ground defense, it’ll be interesting to see how well he’d fare under the Cowboys’ front seven, who’s also one of the top three run-stoppers in the league.
On defense, it’s about rushing the passer and walling the runners. The Washington D ranks at the bottom half of passing and rushing defense, but they should feel good about this next matchup. In their Week 2 game, the ‘Skins pass rush got to Dak Prescott 12 times (eight QB hits and four sacks). It was the most that the rookie QB has been hit by any team this season. The same goes with Ezekiel Elliot. The RB had 83 yards on 3.9 yards per carry in the game, which are decent stats, but it’s one of his lowest outputs in a game this year.
The Redskins have won four straight home games (4-0 ATS).
Betting on the Dallas Cowboys (-7)
Getting tired of hearing Dak Prescott’s and Ezekiel Elliot’s name? Better get used to it. Those two rookies are bonafide studs. They are the headliners for the Cowboys’ league-leading 9-1 record (9-0-1 ATS).
In Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens, Prescott, again, played like a veteran, going 27-for-36 for 301 yards and three TDs. It was the QB’s second consecutive 300-plus passing yard performance and the eighth game he hasn’t thrown an interception. He’s now averaging 264 ypg, with 17 TDs and only two picks.
Elliot, meanwhile, is the NFL’s leader in rushing (1,102) and all-purpose yards (1,382). The RB has ran for 100-plus yards in five of his last eight games, and has scored a TD in six of his 10 games this season.
Thanks in large part to their productivity, the Cowboys are in the top five of total offense (413.1 per game), rushing yards (156.7), yards per play (6.2), and total touchdowns (33).
The QB and RB tandem is blessed with great amount of talent, but they are also enjoying the protection of arguably the best and most proven offensive line in the league. With the help from his linemen, Prescott has taken the third fewest sacks (14) this year, and has only taken 12 QB hits (four sacks) in the last three weeks.
Defensively, the Cowboys’ main strength is stopping the run. The team is allowing one of the fewest rushing yards this season (84.4 per game). They are sure to hand the Redskins’ backs with a big challenge, but the pass defense, which is ranked 13th overall (allowing 263.7 ypg), should also be ready with Cousins and his ability to suddenly throw for a big gain.
The D will look to continue their great presence, as they have limited opponents to 17 points or less in six of their last seven games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cowboys (-7) continue their great run, 28-20.
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