Thursday Night Football: Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys, Free NFL Pick, 11–30–2017
Free NFL Spread Pick by Dennis Matthews
Washington Redskins (5–6) vs Dallas Cowboys (5–6)
Odds: Cowboys +2.5, 46.5
Time: November 30th, 8:25 PM EST
Washington Redskins
The NFC Conference is top heavy this season and it may take 10 wins to get into the playoffs this year. With that being said, Thursday night’s game between the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys is a must win for both teams if they want a shot at making the playoffs.
Washington looks to win back-to-back games for the first time since September 24th. A win in Dallas tonight will get them back to .500 and it would also clinch the NFC East for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins are coming off a 20–10 win over the hapless Giants. Washington ranks 11th in the NFL in yards per game (356.1ypg), 11th in passing yards (251.7ypg), and 18th in rushing yards per game (104.4ypg). They rank 20th in total yards allowed per game (346ypg), 19th in passing yards allowed (234.2ypg) and 25th in points allowed per game (25th).
Despite the barrage of injuries the Redskins have suffered, Kurt Cousins may be showcasing for teams in the off season which should give him good motivation to play well the rest of the season. Cousins has thrown for over 3,000 yards with 19 touchdowns to 6 interceptions and a 101.1 QB rating. The Redskins would be making a mistake if they did not sign Cousins to a long term deal in the off season. This is just the extra motivation Cousins uses to play well the remainder of the season.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have lost three straight games since losing Ezekiel Elliot and they have averaged just 7 points per game the past three weeks. Then, there’s the defensive side. In the last three games, Dallas has allowed nearly 143 yards on the ground per game. The Falcons and Eagles decimated the Cowboys’ front seven in back-to-back performances before the Chargers added 81 yards while torching the secondary.
In some ways, Dak Prescott and head coach Jason Garret have been exposed this season without their All-Pro running back and their All-Pro linebacker, Sean Lee.
Dak Prescott is completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 2,318 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Prescott has zero touchdown passes and five interceptions in his last three games. Dez Bryant is without a 100-yard receiving game this season and Terrance Williams has just nine catches three games after his nine-catch, 141-yard performance against the Chiefs pre-Elliott suspension. Elliott’s absence has exposed just how weak the rest of the offensive weapons are.
Redskins vs Cowboys Prediction
What is Dennis Matthews Predicting?
Washington lost the first game at home, 33–19. That was a different Dallas team with Elliott rushing for 150 yards and two touchdowns. The Redskins should have beat the Saints, up 31–16 late only to lose 34–31. Washington also should have beat Seattle in Seattle. The Redskins are a better team then their (5–6) record indicates but you can’t say the same about the Cowboys. Dak Prescott has no weapons and this offense looks lifeless at times. Washington is the better team and I can see them making a run to finish the season. Take the Redskins in this matchup to win by at least a field goal.
Redskins vs Cowboys Spread Pick: Redskins -2.5
