Quick Buzz Feed
SportsLine's model reveals its Dallas vs. Washington best bets for Christmas Day matchup
NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders, are set to conclude what has been a disappointing season for both teams on Christmas Day. The Cowboys, currently holding a 6-8-1 record, are struggling with a three-game losing streak and a poor 2-5 road record. The Commanders, with a 4-11 record, have lost nine of their last ten games and also have a 2-5 home record. Both teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention, adding a layer of finality to this matchup. The Dallas offense is spearheaded by veteran quarterback Dak Prescott, who has had a solid season. Across 15 games, Prescott boasts a 68.5% completion rate, accumulating 4,175 passing yards and 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, resulting in a 100.0 passer rating. Beyond his passing prowess, he has also contributed on the ground with 47 carries for 154 yards (an average of 3.3 yards per carry) and two rushing touchdowns. In their recent 34-17 defeat to the Chargers, Prescott completed 21 of 30 passes for 244 yards and two scores, adding 14 yards on two carries. A crucial weapon in Prescott's arsenal is wide receiver George Pickens, who has been a consistent threat. Through 15 games, Pickens has recorded an impressive 88 receptions for 1,342 yards, averaging 15.3 yards per catch, and finding the end zone nine times. He has also generated 21 explosive plays of 20 yards or more, including a long of 45 yards, demonstrating his ability to break away. Pickens has accumulated 426 yards after the catch and secured 69 first-down conversions for the Cowboys. In the recent loss to the Chargers, he particularly stood out with seven catches for 130 yards, averaging 18.6 yards per reception, and scored a touchdown.
The Washington Commanders face significant quarterback challenges for this Christmas Day game, leading them to start veteran journeyman Josh Johnson. Johnson's performance in three games this season includes completing 55.6% of his passes for just 43 yards and one interception, indicating the struggles at the position. To provide additional depth at quarterback, Washington also brought in Jeff Driskel this week. On the receiving end, veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel is a key offensive component for the Commanders. In his 14 appearances, Samuel has tallied 68 receptions for 639 yards, averaging 9.4 yards per catch, and has scored five touchdowns. He has recorded eight explosive plays of 20 yards or more, with his longest reception covering 38 yards. Samuel has also contributed 384 yards after the catch and has secured 29 first-down conversions, highlighting his role in moving the chains for Washington's offense despite the team's overall difficulties. His recent performance in a 16-13 loss to Miami on November 16 saw him catch seven passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his potential impact despite the team's struggles. For this game, in addition to Marcus Mariota being out, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Laremy Tunsil, and Daron Payne are all inactive for the Commanders.
SportsLine's advanced Projection Model provides insightful predictions for the Cowboys vs. Commanders matchup, which is set for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. The latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook position the Cowboys as 8.5-point favorites, with the over/under for total points scored set at 50.5. Dallas's money line is -481, while Washington is +365. The model strongly favors the 'Over' on the total points scored, projecting a combined total of 56 points, surpassing the set over/under. Additionally, the model indicates that one specific side of the spread will hit more than 50% of the time, offering a clear recommendation for bettors. To access the precise pick for which side of the Cowboys vs. Commanders spread to jump on, football betting enthusiasts are directed to visit SportsLine. The model has a highly proven track record, having successfully yielded well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception, and entered Week 17 on an impressive 53-37 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. This consistent performance underscores the reliability of its predictions for NFL betting picks, providing valuable insights for this Christmas Day matchup.