What a time to be alive. The Cowboys (9-1) and Redskins (6-3-1) are about to square off in a Thanksgiving Day battle that could very well be a throwback to the halcyon days of the 1990s, when the two teams were NFC powerhouses.
And this game should be just that, even though the Cowboys are a full touchdown favorite. Washington is coming off an outstanding performance in a 42-24 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night that featured Kirk Cousins putting up massive numbers in difficult conditions (albeit against a terrible Packers secondary) before running up to his GM and yelling "HOW YOU LIKE ME NOW?" Loosely translated it means "Give me $60 million guaranteed, please, sir."
The Cowboys have a different quarterback situation on their hands. Tony Romo is the man with all the money, but he can't find the field after being displaced by Dak Prescott. The rookie quarterback, known for his neatness on the sideline as much as his skill on the field, has looked like a savvy veteran in leading the Cowboys to a 9-1 record.
The Cowboys offense looks dominant and might only get better. The offensive line is cratering opposing defenses who dare to stand in the way, and Dez Bryant is starting to round into DEZ form after an early injury slowed him this season.
Even heading into Week 11's matchup against the Ravens, there was a healthy amount of "what if" speculation on Romo getting the job back, despite him admitting he lost the competition to the younger Prescott. Now? That speculation is gone, vanished into the void after Prescott threw for 300 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions as a response to Baltimore bottling up Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys ground game early.
There is a good chance we're watching the future of the NFC East in this battle -- Cousins has to be given a big deal by Washington if he continues to play well, and the Cowboys look set for a decade to come with Prescott and Elliott on the roster.
At stake for the immediate future are the playoffs. Dallas needs a win to keep up the pace with the Seahawks and maintain the No. 1 seed. Washington sees a scrum of teams interested in its wild-card spot continuing to nip at its heels.
This is a delightful matchup to settle into following heavy turkey consumption in the afternoon.
How to Watch
- What: Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys
- When: Thursday, Nov. 24, 4:30 p.m. ET
- Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile App, FOX Sports Go App
- Sunday Ticket: DirecTV
- Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
- Odds: The Cowboys are 7-point favorites, according to SportsLine.
Injury report
Cowboys
- S Barry Church (Forearm) -- DNP (Mon.)
- CB Morris Claiborne (Groin) -- DNP (Mon.)
- DE Demarcus Lawrence (Back) -- LP (Mon.)
- OT Tyron Smith (Back, hip) -- LP (Mon.)
- P Chris Jones (NIR) -- DNP (Mon.)
- TE Gavin Escobar (NIR) -- DNP (Mon.)
Redskins
- DE Chris Baker (Hamstring) -- LP (Mon.)
- WR DeSean Jackson (Shoulder) -- LP (Mon.)
- OT Ty Nsekhe (Ankle) -- LP (Mon.)
- LB Preston Smith (Back) -- LP (Mon.)
- LS Nick Sundberg (Back) -- LP (Mon.)
Prisco's Pick
This should be a high-scoring game with both teams moving the football. The Redskins are traveling on a short week, which is tough. But their offense is rolling now, much like the Cowboys. Look for a lot of points and a Dallas victory. Dak Prescott keeps winning.
Pick: Cowboys 36, Ravens 27