Game 2 of a Thanksgiving NFL triple-header features the Washington Football Team (3-7, 0-4 away) in the Lone Star state to take on the Dallas Cowboys (3-7, 2-3 home). The Washington Football Team took down the Cowboys at FedEx Field just over a month ago in convincing fashion, 25-3. The battle of the bottom of the AFC East kicks off at 4:30 p.m. EST inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Dallas is a 3-point favorite in the divisional tilt, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Washington Football Team
It has been a tough go for the Washington Football Team offense this season, who turned to Alex Smith two weeks ago to make his first start since a devastating leg injury suffered in 2018. Smith entered the season third on the team’s depth chart at quarterback behind now backup Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen (placed on injured reserve).
Smith guided Washington to their third win of the season last Sunday with a 20-9 over the Cincinnati Bengals. The veteran quarterback completed 17-of-25 passes for 166 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
With Smith making just his second start under center, the Football Team relied on a heavy rushing attack behind rookie Antonio Gibson (16 carries, 94 yards, one touchdown), J.D. McKissic (six carries, 43 yards), and Peyton Barber (eight carries, 28 yards). Featured as Washington’s primary pass-catching running back, McKissic added three catches for 26 yards.
Terry McLaurin caught five passes on seven targets for a team-high 84 yards, accounting for half of Washington’s total yards through the air. Steven Sims Jr. caught three passes, including his first touchdown reception of the season.
What to Know – Dallas Cowboys
Andy Dalton returned under center, and the Cowboys escaped Minnesota with a 31-28 victory over the Vikings. The win snapped a four-game losing skid following a week five victory that saw quarterback Dak Prescott go down with a season-ending ankle injury.
Dalton threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns behind a 22-for-32 passing stat line. The three-touchdown passing game was a first for Dalton in a Cowboys uniform.
Star running back Ezekiel Elliott carried the ball 21 times for 103 yards, and backup Tony Pollard added five rushes for 60 yards and a touchdown. It took ten games, but Elliot eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time this year. Elliott also caught his second receiving touchdown on the season.
Dalton spread the ball around with Amari Cooper his primary target. The wide receiver hauled in six passes for 81 yards. It was rookie CeeDee Lamb (four receptions, 34 yards, one touchdown) and tight end Dalton Schultz (four receptions, 25 yards, one touchdown), and Elliot who found the endzone on the receiving end of Dalton’s passes.
The Pick is In
The last time these two teams played, Kyle Allen threw a pair of touchdowns, and Gibson shredded the Cowboys defense for 128 yards rushing. Washington’s defense surrendered just 59 yards passing and only 142 yards of total offense. A month later, things are much different entering the Thanksgiving showdown. Allen is sidelined, and the Cowboys have gotten some key pieces back on defense as well as the offensive line. Dallas isn’t going to let the Washington Football Team come into their house and sweep the season series.
The Pick: Dallas -3
