Despite each looking awful during their week five match up, both the Cowboys and Redskins bounced back in a huge way a week ago. Dallas now sits at 3-3, just a half game behind the 3-2 Washington Redskins for first place in the NFC East.
This is a massive week seven game between these two hated rivals, especially considering it appears the Philadelphia Eagles are starting to hit their stride.
The winner of this game will be in a very favorable spot heading into the second half of the 2018 season, as they each look to steal this division from the Eagles’ hands.
Cowboys +1.5, O/U 41.5 Points.
Dallas Cowboys
Through the first five weeks of the season it seemed clear the Cowboys offense was broken, specifically through the air. And entering their sixth game on the year, this time against the league’s best defense, it was hard to imagine them putting up many points at all.
Then football happened. And, somehow, the Cowboys dominated the Jaguars defense all game long, to the tune of a 40-7 victory.
The win helped the Cowboys keep pace in the NFC East, as both Washington and Philadelphia got their third wins of the season as well. Those three teams may be in a fight the entire season, and these division games are very meaningful.
A victory on Sunday would put the Cowboys in a fantastic spot moving forward.
Washington Redskins
Are the Redskins good? Honestly, it’s hard to say. Before the season I predicted they’d be in second place in the East, and a possible wild card contender. Through their first five games I’d say that prediction looks solid, but they also got destroyed by the Saints just two weeks ago.
This whole division is wonky and that’s probably how it will continue to be. Washington has talented players though, and could give the Cowboys offense some issues on Sunday.
Alex Smith and company looked very impressive in their week six victory over Carolina, but like the Cowboys this team has been up and down all season. It’s impossible to peg how they’ll play on a given Sunday.
Trends
- The Cowboys are 5-2 against the spread their last 7 games against Washington.
- The score total has gone over the last 5 Cowboys/Redskins games.
- Washington is 5-1 their last 6 games at home.
- The Cowboys haven’t won a road game all season. (I just wanted to throw that in).
Prediction
This is a really tough one to call.
Are the Cowboys going to score 40 points again? Probably not, but then again the Jags defense is much more talented than the Redskins. Are the Cowboys ever going to win a road game? I mean, eventually, but why should we believe this is the week?
I don’t think anyone should bet on this game, and there’s really no value in the line either way. But taking over 41.5 points might be your best bet, especially considering that both match ups between these teams would’ve hit that over last season.
I could see a 23-20 final score, which would hit the over of just 41.5 points.
