When the Cowboys (3-7) host Washington (3-7) in the second game of NFL Thanksgiving and of Week 12, two winning teams from Week 11 will look to help their chances of winning the weak NFC East. The Cowboys are coming off a big road win over the Vikings, while Washington took care of the Bengals at home.
The Cowboys hosted Washington on Thanksgiving in both 2016 and 2018, winning a pair of high-scoring games. Here's another even year chance to dispatch their renamed (unnamed) arch rivals, avenging a tough road loss in Week 7.
This time, it will be Andy Dalton dueling Alex Smith at quarterback. The Cowboys saw Ezekiel Elliott run like his old self last week, while rookie Antonio Gibson has been a nice backfield surprise for Washington.
Here's everything to know about betting on Cowboys vs. Washington on Thanksgiving, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for the NFL Week 12 game.
WEEK 12 NFL PICKS: Against the spread | Straight up
Cowboys vs. Washington odds for Thanksgiving
- Spread: Cowboys by 3
- Over/under: 46
- Point spread odds: Washington +127, Cowboys -147
The Cowboys started out as 2.5-point favorites but have been bumped up to the whole simple home-field advantage spread of a field goal. That makes this essentially a toss up game between two franchises and owners who really don't like each other. Ron Rivera and Mike McCarthy meet for the second time with their new teams.
Cowboys vs. Washington all-time series
The Cowboys hold a strong 73-46-2 edge. They lost 25-3 on Oct. 25, but before then, they had won three in a row. Overall, the Cowboys have beaten Washington seven times in the past nine meetings and nine of the past 12. The last time Dallas lost at home to Washington was Jan. 3, 2016, which was the end of the 2015 season.
Three trends to know
— 56 of spread bettors like the Cowboys to take care of the small favorite number at home with some fans there for Thanksgiving.
— 62 percent of over/under bettors like the game to exceed the set point total with two trending bad defenses and two trending good offenses.
— Washington is 4-5-1 against the spread with four of its games going over. The Cowboys are 2-8 against the spread this season. They were 0-8 until they covered in back-to-back games against the Steelers and Vikings.
Three things to watch
Elliott's back
Elliott rushed 21 times for 103 yards against the Vikings, the first time he hit the century mark on the ground in 2020. He also caught a TD pass, playing his best game all season. Washington will be hard pressed to contain Zeke, who tends to feast on Thanksgiving.
Dalton vs. Smith
Dalton turned in his best game as a Cowboy by far against the Vikings looking comfortable in the offense, finally. Smith is still learning how to handle a new offense in his comeback from his major leg injury. The veterans have a big opportunity to lead teams they didn't expect to be starting for this late in the season.
McCarthy vs. Rivera
McCarthy finally motivated the Cowboys with a "Gallagher-like" smashing act in Week 11. Rivera has done a good job of firing up his troops while overcoming some tougher adversity off the field. Beyond the rivalry, both teams should play hard with so much at stake.
Stat that matters
No. 24. That's where Washington's passing game ranks in the NFL, averaging only 224.9 yards per game. It hasn't gotten that much better, with the big volume game in Detroit being an anomaly. That's a big break for an improving Cowboys pass defense which is at least containing big plays better again.
Cowboys vs. Washington prediction
The Cowboys will keep up their offensive momentum and look rejuvenated, knowing the NFC East title is suddenly in sight again and knowing they are the better all-around team than makeshift Washington. Dalton plays well again with big help from Elliott and his receivers to edge Smith.
Cowboys 24, Washington 20
