Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys 2018: Prediction, Betting Odds For Thanksgiving Game

The Dallas Cowboys will host the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving with first place in the NFC East on the line. The Redskins enter Week 12 with a one-game lead over the Cowboys atop the division, though you wouldn’t know it by looking at the betting odds.

Despite the two teams’ records, Dallas is an overwhelming favorite in Thursday’s contest. The point spread is up to 7.5 points, according to OddsShark, and the line could be even higher by kickoff. The game’s total is 40.5.

Washington became a significant underdog because of what happened Sunday afternoon. It isn’t just that the Redskins were defeated at home by the Houston Texans or that the Cowboys won on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. Alex Smith suffered a broken leg at FedEdxField, ending his season and forcing Washington to turn to Colt McCoy as their starting quarterback.

McCoy completed six of 12 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown in relief of Smith. He hadn’t completed a pass since 2015, and the quarterback has only made four starts since signing with Washington before the start of the 2014 season.

It isn’t often that Dallas has the clear quarterback advantage. That will be the case Thursday as Dak Prescott tries to lead the Cowboys to their third straight win. The quarterback has played well after a slow start, totaling 10 touchdowns and one interception over his last five games. Prescott has posted a passer rating of 96.5 or better in four of those contests.

The addition of Amari Cooper and the success of Ezekiel Elliott on the ground has made for an improved Cowboys’ offense. Cooper has 14 catches in three games with Dallas. Elliott has rushed for over 105 yards in five of the last eight games.

Prescott is much more likely to make big plays than McCoy, and one or two big plays from either quarterback could determine Thursday’s outcome. Dallas is third in scoring defense and Washington ranks fifth. The Cowboys haven’t given up more than 28 points in a game. Only Atlanta and New Orleans have put up more than 23 points on the Redskins’ defense.

When Washington hosted Dallas in Week 7, the Redskins escaped with a 20-17 victory, avoiding overtime as Cowboys’ kicker Brett Maher missed a 52-yard field goal in the final seconds of regulation. Both teams could struggle to move the ball again, especially the Redskins, given their injuries at quarterback and on the offensive line.

Dallas defeated Washington 31-26 on Thanksgiving two years ago. Expect another close contest between the division rivals.

Prediction: Dallas over Washington, 19-16