With an NFC East title and a No. 2 seed at stake, you can bet the Dallas Cowboys will have plenty of motivation to play this game Sunday.
However, with seven straight losses and the end of the Ron Rivera era looming, how motivated will the Washington Commanders be for their season finale?
Here’s a look at a matchup Vegas says is the most lopsided of Week 18.
Cowboys vs. Commanders Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Cowboys -13
- Moneyline: Cowboys (-850), Commanders (+575)
- Over/Under: 47
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: FedEx Field
- Channel: FOX
Cowboys vs. Commanders Prediction
On the surface, the task appears easy for the Cowboys. Beat one of the league’s worst teams and win the NFC East.
On top of that, you can embarrass your division rival for a second straight meeting this season after embarrassing them on Thanksgiving, 45-10.
But the Cowboys have this thing about performing on the road that continues to be a problem for them this season. While they are 8-0 at home and average 37.4 PPG on the road, the Cowboys are just 3-5, with a scoring average of only 21.5 PPG.
Fortunately for Dallas, it is playing the perfect opponent to make things right. The Commanders have lost seven straight games overall, and since barely beating the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, they have not won again at home, losing each of their last six games at FedEx Field.
And over those six straight losses at home, Washington has been outscored by 20 points per game, as five of the six losses were by double digits.
Dak Prescott, who leads the NFL in touchdown passes with 32, has absolutely owned the Commanders in his career. In 12 career starts vs. Washington, Prescott has a 10-2 record, with a 23:4 pass TD:INT ratio.
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Only Troy Aikman has more wins over Washington among Dallas quarterbacks (12).
Prescott’s season high in passer rating (142.1) came in the first meeting vs. the Commanders.
There really isn’t much to expect from the Commanders, who have had issues on offense and defense most of the season. The Sam Howell experiment at quarterback looked good at first, but it has become a disaster, as he leads the league in interceptions (19) and sacks taken (61).
Defensively, Washington ranks last in both total defense and scoring defense. They have allowed at least 27 points in each of their seven straight losses, and they have allowed at least 400 total yards in four of their last five games.
In injury news, the Cowboys do not have any player listed as out for this game. In fact, among the players listed as questionable, only offensive tackle Tyler Smith (foot) and defensive end Chauncey Golston (illness) are questionable.
The Commanders will be without defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (knee) and cornerback Kendall Fuller (knee), while safety Kamren Curl (quad) is listed as questionable but did not practice Thursday or Friday.
As mentioned earlier, the Cowboys have struggled on the road, and they are just 3-5 vs. the spread in road games. On the other hand, they are 3-1 ATS as a road favorite.
The Commanders have been absolutely miserable at home, with a 0-6-1 record vs. the spread at FedEx Field. They are also just 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.
Yes, the Cowboys have been a different team away from home. But if there was ever an opportunity to right the ship on the road, this is the week. Washington is very much in next season mode, and it will show in the outcome.
Give the points, and take a nap.
Best Bet: Cowboys -13 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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