Cowboys-Redskins Betting Preview: Will Prescott & Co. Stay Hot in D.C.?

Betting odds: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

• Spread: Redskins -1
• Over/Under: 41.5
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• TV channel: CBS

Betting market: This is the only game on Sunday in the -1.5/-2 range, and so far, there hasn't been very much interesting betting activity. Some books have gone from -1.5 to -2 since opening, some from -2 to -1.5, and others that opened at -1.5 remain there.

A slight majority of bettors like the Cowboys following their big win over the Jaguars in Week 6, with 51% of total bets on Dallas as of writing (see live data here). — Mark Gallant

Trends to know: Teams that won their previous game by 30 or more points have gone 87-103-9 (46%) against the spread the following week since 2003.

If those teams won in a blowout as an underdog — like the Cowboys did last week — they were 6-12-1 (33%) ATS the next week.— John Ewing

The Cowboys are one of only nine teams with a positive differential in both halves of games this season (+9 in the first half and +11 in the second). Yet Dallas is just 3-3 straight up.

The Cowboys have entered halftime trailing their opponents in three games this season and are 3-0 against the second-half spread in all three. They're a mediocre 69-60-1 against the second-half spread under Jason Garrett, but are 32-16 (+14.6 units) when trailing at the half and 27-37 (-13 units) when leading. The former is the best mark in the NFL since Garrett was hired in 2010. — Evan Abrams

Did you know? The Cowboys have lost three straight road games SU entering this divisional matchup in Washington.

Dallas hasn't lost four consecutive road games SU since 2002, when the Cowboys lost five in a row. They finished that season 5-11 and fired Dave Campo for Bill Parcells. — Abrams

Biggest mismatch: Cowboys CB Byron Jones vs. Redskins WR Josh Doctson

Doctson was one of those guys who we'd say things like "see what he can do if he can just stay on the field."

Well, he’s been on the field, and we haven’t seen much of anything.

Doctson has reeled in only 43.6% of his career targets, and his 68 yards on 19 targets this season (3.6 yards per target) means that the Redskins are better off handing the ball off than targeting Doctson through the air.

Doctson projects to run more than half of his routes at Jones, who has allowed a 50% catch rate en route to Pro Football Focus' No. 1 grade among all cornerbacks this season. — Chris Raybon

Which team is healthier? Cowboys

The Cowboys defense is nearing full strength, as linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) practiced in full on Thursday and is tentatively expected to suit up on Sunday. The offense could be without receiver Tavon Austin (groin) for a while, but should get back fellow wideout Brice Butler (groin).

The Redskins are also banged up at receiver. Paul Richardson (shoulder/knee) could join Jamison Crowder (ankle) on the bench, while the backfield could be without Chris Thompson (ribs) for another week.

Washington's defense is relatively healthy outside of safety Troy Apke (hamstring) and linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (chest).

Note: Info as of 6 p.m. ET Thursday. See our Injury Dashboard for daily practice participation and game statuses up until kickoff. — Ian Hartitz

DFS edge: Ezekiel Elliott joins Todd Gurley as the league’s only running backs with at least 15 carries in every game they’ve played this season.

Elliott is averaging a robust five yards per attempt, and his 30 targets are already approaching his career-high mark of 39 in a season. Up next is a great matchup against the Redskins' 28th-ranked defense in Football Outsiders' Adjusted Line Yards allowed per rush.

Zeke is $8,100 on DraftKings and carries a strong 28.5-point Projected Ceiling, but he’s expected to join Gurley as the main slate’s highest-owned backs. — Hartitz

Bet to watch: Redskins -1

I rode the Redskins last week in the same spot against a much better team. And they won.

This line is way out of whack for two market-driven reasons.

1. Continued disrespect for a Redskins defense that is bland and lacking in star power, but is still really good. It's fifth in overall yardage allowed and, more importantly, top 10 in points allowed per game and yards allowed per play.

2. Umm, yeah, the Cowboys beat the Jags last week in a for-their-lungs spot. Now they’re going on the road in a divisional game, and all the home team has to do is eke out a win.

Too much credit is being given to Dallas for a big win last week.— Chad Millman

The Cowboys are 3-0 at home and 0-3 on the road. They’ve scored 8, 13 and 16 points on the road in ugly offensive performances.

Meanwhile, the Redskins are coming off a hard-fought win at home against the Panthers.

The Cowboys have missed Travis Frederick more than any team has missed any player this season (outside of Jimmy Garoppolo), and it shows on the road, where you need a calm and collected center who can direct things under pressure, as noted by Elliott earlier this week.

The Cowboys won’t score enough points to win this game on the road.— Geoff Schwartz

Editor’s note: The opinions on this game are from the individual writers and are based on their research, analysis and perspective. They are independent of, and may not always match with, the algorithm-driven Best Bets from Sports Insights.