Washington @ Dallas: No relief for these demoralised Cowboys

Neil Monnery
30 November 2017

Dez Bryant hasn't caught a Touchdown in five straight games

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What many thought would be a big NFC East clash has lost a lot of its lustre due to both teams losing touch with the runaway Eagles. Still it is football and it is live on Sky Sports, and so Neil Monnery previews the first game of Week 13...

"Dak Prescott's numbers without his star running back are enough to give you nightmares. No TDs in three games and five picks."

Washington @ Dallas Cowboys
Friday 1 December, 01:25
TV: Live on Sky Sports Action & Main Event

For the Cowboys...

Last week I previewed the Thanksgiving game for Dallas where I said they had caved in. My opinion hasn't changed much following that embarrassing 28-6 home loss to an average Chargers team and I'll tell you why.

Ezekiel Elliott is not walking through that door with permission to play. Losing one player shouldn't cripple a team but everything the Cowboys do well is based on strong O-line play and a pounding running attack.

The return of Tyron Smith to that line is a big boon but La'el Collins is listed as questionable. For several years that offensive unit has been the best in the NFL but after a couple of off-season moves and now injury concerns, they aren't what they once were.

Sean Lee will miss his third straight game. The former Nittany Lion is the heart of that defense so any time he doesn't suit up, you know Dallas will be considerably weaker.

Dak Prescott's numbers without his star running back are enough to give you nightmares. No TDs in three games with five picks. His star receiver Dez Bryant hasn't caught a touchdown in his past five games.

The only way you'd feel confident picking Dallas to win a game is if they came up against a team with a medical report for the ages.

For Washington...

In a totally unrelated note to the final sentence of the Cowboys section, Washington have 15 players on injured reserve coupled with no fewer than 14 men on this weeks injury report.

One man still standing is Kirk Cousins. In what is surely his walk season from the nation's capital, he will be hoping to put up a few impressive performances in an attempt to earn a big money move in free agency. He's an above-average QB who I'd bank on faring well in this one without Sean Lee marshalling the defense.

Skill wise they've lost their top two running backs for the season. Terrelle Pryor has joined them in sitting out the year and star Tight End Jordan Reed is out this week. It is lucky they still have Jamison Crowder to throw to otherwise they would be in real trouble. He'll clearly be the guy Cousins looks to in this one.

The Picks...

The line has been set at Washington-1.5 and to be frank, I'm stunned it is that low. I know they have injury issues all over the place but the Cowboys have just fallen over and I'm not sure they can get back up. The visitors-1.5 is available at 1.981/1 on the Exchange and I'm going that way.

Points-wise the line has been set at 46 and this is a big under play. My belief in Dallas has evaporated into the air like a puddle on a hot sunny day. Washington will score some points but not enough to get near the points line. Under 46pts is available at 1.9520/21 on the Exchange.

On the side markets, two one point plays here. Jamison Crowder to score the first TD at 10/1 is value and the way Dak Prescott is taking care of the ball at the moment, Washington's D/ST to score any time at 9/2 is generous.

Recommended Bets
3pt Back Washington-1.5pts at 1.981/1 on the Exchange
1pt Back under 46pts at 1.9520/21 on the Exchange
1pt Back Jamison Crowder to score the first TD at 10/1 on the Sportsbook
1pt Back Washington's D/ST to score anytime at 9/2 on the Sportsbook