The playoff-bound Washington Commanders (11-5) visit the Dallas Cowboys (7-9). Washington has experienced a dramatic turnaround from their 4-13 campaign in 2023. Now, with a win, they clinch the number 6 seed in the NFC. Our Commanders vs Cowboys prediction is for road favorite Washington to cover the 6.5-point spread.
Head-to-head, Dallas leads their longtime NFL rivals with a record of 79-48-2. The Cowboys won a wild affair in Week 12, 34-26.
Offshore Odds: Commanders Favored by 6.5 Points
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commanders | -6.5 (-110) | -285 | O 44 (-105) |
| Cowboys | +6.5 (-110) | +240 | U 44 (-115) |
Washington Bounces Back After Midseason Lull
The Commanders’ season was coming undone. After a 7-2 start, they lost three straight to fall to 7-5, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
However, Dan Quinn’s team responded with four straight wins, the last two over Philadelphia and Atlanta. Now, they are in the playoffs and can rise to the 6th seed with a win. If they lose and Green Bay wins, they would be the 7th seed and play the Wild Card in Philadelphia.
They will take on the Cowboys without cornerback Marshon Lattimore, still hampered by a hamstring injury. Austin Ekeler is questionable with a concussion, but is expected to play in Dallas.
On paper, the Commanders should easily dispatch the Cowboys. But that was the perception before Week 12 when Dallas quarterback Cooper Rush played a near perfect game. The Commanders are weak against the run. To win, they must hold Rico Dowdle and Dallas in check on the ground.
Dallas’ secondary is battered and Jayden Daniels has been playing brilliantly. The return of Ekeler gives him another weapon.
Dallas Will Try to Sabotage Washington’s Playoff Seeding Hopes
The Cowboys are badly beaten up. CeeDee Lamb, DeMarvion Overshown, and Trevon Diggs are all on injured reserve. Linebacker Micah Parsons was a full go at practice and will play. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis is also expected to play.
Rush has proven himself a capable backup in his extended run as the starter following Dak Prescott’s season-ending hamstring injury. He went 24 for 32 with 247 yards passing and two touchdown throws in the first game against Washington. He was terrible against Philadelphia in Week 17 as the Eagles overwhelmed the depleted Cowboys.
There are background issues going on in Dallas. Head coach Mike McCarthy has still not received a contract extension and is a potential casualty on Black Monday. The players have been lobbying for him. If they truly want him to stay, they need to come up with a big effort against the Commanders to give owner Jerry Jones the confidence to retain him.
Commanders vs Cowboys Prediction: Washington Should Get the Job Done
Despite Dallas’ win over Washington earlier in the season, they are running on fumes. The Commanders are on a mission to get the higher seed and will not let the Cowboys stand in the way.
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