Cowboys vs Titans Odds: Expert Thursday Night Football Prediction

Cowboys vs Titans Odds

Thursday, Dec. 29

8:15 p.m. ET

Amazon Prime Video

Cowboys Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-14 -110	40.5 -105o / -115u	-850

Titans Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+14 -110	40.5 -105o / -115u	+590

Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NFL odds here.

As we look for a Cowboys vs Titans pick, it's important to note the playoff implications of this game.

The Cowboys are chasing the Eagles, but all Dallas can do is win since it has no control over its NFC East fate. The Titans, meanwhile, face a Week 18 game against the Jaguars that will determine the fate of the AFC South. This matchup with the Cowboys will not affect that at all.

So, let's check out the Cowboys vs Titans odds and see where we can find an edge.

Cowboys vs. Titans Matchup Analysis

Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how the Cowboys and Titans match up statistically:

Cowboys vs. Titans DVOA Breakdown

	Offense	Defense	Edge
Overall DVOA	13	17
Pass DVOA	13	27
Rush DVOA	6	2

	Offense	Defense	Edge
Overall DVOA	20	2
Pass DVOA	18	2
Rush DVOA	18	5

When the Titans Have the Ball

The Titans have nothing to gain with a win in this game. Their playoff fate will be decided next week when they face the Jaguars for the AFC South title.

Considering their top-three offensive lineman are on IR – left tackle Taylor Lewan, center Ben Jones and right guard Nate Davis – withleft guard Aaron Brewer and right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere are both questionable, I’d be shocked if Derrick Henry played in this game. He’s listed as doubtful on the final injury report.

Malik Willis is still a very raw rookie, and the only reason he is starting is due to Ryan Tannehill’s injury. The Titans have been extremely cautious in letting Willis drop back to pass, and it was pretty clear why last week with an ugly 99/0/2 performance in a loss to the Texans.

I could see the Titans using this week as a way to throw Willis into the fire, allowing him to drop back to pass at a much higher rate so they can at least see what they have in him before their Week 18 showdown with the Jaguars. It would be a very risky move, but this would be the week to try it.

Even if the Titans don’t want to have Willis air it out more than usual, I’m not sure they’ll have much of a choice in what could be a trailing game script throughout.

When the Cowboys Have the Ball

The Cowboys still have a chance to win the NFC East and to also be the No. 1 seed in the NFC. A win here won’t do too much to achieve either goal since the Eagles are still in control of their own destiny.

I do expect the Cowboys to play as they usually would, unlike the Titans, in a game they should win fairly easily. They should be able to pass with ease against a Titans defense that ranks 27th in DVOA, but they could struggle to move the ball on the ground considering the Titans rank second in Football Outsiders’ DVOA against the run.

Tony Pollard hasn’t been able to practice this week due to a thigh injury. If he’s unable to suit up, the Cowboys will have to lean on Ezekiel Elliot a lot more, which will likely result in fewer explosive run plays.

Bet Thursday Night Football at FanDuel

Cowboys -12.5

Titans +12.5

Betting Picks

This game sets up nicely for the Cowboys -10.5 and the under 40 based on the expected game script and the lack of motivation for the Titans. Unfortunately, that Cowboys -10.5 number is long gone.

There are a ton of players who are shaping up to be game-time decisions, and I am not a fan of making a bet without having a better idea as to which key players are in/out.

This is a game I will be much more comfortable attacking once we know more about who will be on the field. I think it could offer a ton of value in player prop markets. Be sure to follow me in the Action app to get notified if/when I do lock in a bet for this game.

I have made a bet on a player prop for this game, which you can check out here.