The Washington at Dallas pick for the NFL’s Thanksgiving afternoon menu wouldn’t seem to be one that’s very interesting considering both teams are 3-7. Each squad plays in the NFC East through, meaning they are just 1/2 a game back from the 3-6-1 Eagles for 1st place in the division.
Washington and Dallas met up just a little over a month ago, with WFT cruising to a 25-3 win in D.C. as +1 home underdogs. Washington has gone 1-2 since then, but with both losses being by just 3 points. The Cowboys have looked for QB stability since that first meeting with WFT, and may have found it in a 31-28 win in Minnesota last week as +7 point underdogs.
Can Washington Find Balance?
All things considered, it’s been a good month of football for the Washington Football Team. Aside from the win over the Cowboys on October 25th, WFT have suffered a couple close losses to the Giants and Detroit, but come into the Washington at Dallas pick off a 20-9 win over Cincinnati last week.
Washington has had a sneaky good defense this season, but their offense is showing signs of establishing balance the last couple weeks. Alex Smith came in after Kyle Allen was hurt against the Giants, and went 24/32 for 325 yards (with 3 INT). Smith followed that up with 390 yards in the loss to Detroit, but the Redskins actually complimented their passing game with 164 yards on the ground last week vs. Cincinnati.
If Washington can get enough plays from Smith, coinciding with another strong effort on the ground from Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic (137 yards on 22 carries last week) then an upset can be in the cards. That’s not an unrealistic expectation either, as Dallas has the #31 rush defense in the league.
Does Dallas Have Their Running Game Back?
Both Washington and Dallas should be coming into Thursday afternoon’s game with confidence on offense. WFT didn’t throw the ball for 300+ yards and was actually able to close out a win last week. The Cowboys finally got their first 100-yard rushing game of the season from Ezekiel Elliott in their last game, and it resulted in a 31-28 win at Minnesota as +7 underdogs.
Despite putting up 31 points last week vs. the Vikings and having Elliott go over the century mark for the first time in 2020, there are still a litany of questions surrounding the offense in Big D. Andy Dalton returned last week to go 22/32 with 3 TD and an INT, but it was his first game since being knocked out in the last meeting with Washington. Dalton was just 9/19 for 75 yards with an INT vs. Washington’s #1 ranked pass defense, and suffered a concussion on a hit from Jon Bostic, causing him to miss two games.
The Cowboys win over Minnesota last week was impressive, as the Vikings were on a 3-game win streak prior to the defeat. At the same time, Dallas still allowed 115 yards rushing to Dalvin Cook, and 314 yards and 3 TD to Kirk Cousins. Vikings WR Adam Thielen had 8 catches for 123 yards, so how will Dallas stop Washington’s WR Terry McLaurin, who is quietly the 4th leading receiver in the NFL.
Free Washington at Dallas Pick
A big game from Washington’s Smith would be a great story on Thanksgiving afternoon, as he almost lost his leg and nearly his life in a 2018 injury. Dalton does not want to face this Washington secondary and pass rush on a short week after getting his bell run in the last meeting. WFT getting points is a gift in this one.
Washington 28 – Dallas 13
Free Pick: Washington +3
