Score predictions for the Cowboys game.
Christmas time is upon us, and we’ve all been gifted with a lump of coal in our stockings. This coal comes in the form of the 4-11 Commanders hosting the 6-8-1 Cowboys in an island game aired exclusively on Netflix. It all sounds strange, as does the fact that Dallas is favored by a whopping 8.5 points despite having lost three in a row to play themselves out of the playoffs.
Do our writers share this strange sense of optimism? Let’s take a look.
When Washington has the ball
Show some fight
The Commanders have experienced quite the return to reality, with their offense looking especially putrid all year. Losing Jayden Daniels multiple times to injuries will do that, but nothing has looked right. And now Daniels’ backup, Marcus Mariota, won’t even be suiting up on Christmas, which means 39-year old Josh Johnson will be making his first start since 2021, when he led the Ravens to a loss to the Bengals.
In most cases, that would seem to be a can’t-lose situation for the defense, but the Cowboys have shown that the only way for this defense to not lose is for them to never even take the field in the first place. Getting toasted by Johnson would seem to be a series wrap on the Matt Eberflus era, and it feels entirely possible. Seeing some level of fight from this defense won’t save Eberflus, either, but it would be a nice Christmas gift to the suffering fan base.
When Dallas has the ball
Start fast and sustain it
Last week’s objective was to see the offense start fast, and they did. George Pickens looked especially dominant en route to a 17-point first half against a really good Chargers defense. But then, as has happened several times this year, they went quiet in the second half after some strong adjustments from Los Angeles.
That shouldn’t happen against the Commanders, whose defense has been just as bad as Dallas. Seriously, the Cowboys rank 32nd with 0.162 EPA/play and the Commanders are 31st with 0.161 EPA/play. With how this offense has been performing, the Cowboys should score at least one touchdown every quarter at a minimum.
Now onto the predictions from your BTB writers…
Tom Ryle (7-7-1):
Let’s worsen that draft position!
Cowboys 27, Commanders 17
Mike Poland (7-7-1):
Washington down to their 3rd-string QB, Tunsil may miss the game, and of course this is a division rival which I hate losing to no matter where the team is at in the season. The Cowboys are seven point favorites to win this game and let’s hope it’s a lot more.
Cowboys win 30-14
Matt Holleran (6-8-1):
Not much good can come out of the Cowboys winning this game. Unfortunately, the Commanders are so bad, especially on defense, that I don’t see a way Dallas does not walk out with a win. In a lost season, the Cowboys deliver a win on Christmas Day.
Give me Dallas, 30-20.
Brian Martin (4-10-1):
Although I’m hoping the Cowboys lose in order to gain better draft positioning, I don’t really see a way the Commanders win this Week 17 matchup. I think this will be an easy win for the Cowboys by at least two touchdowns.
Score prediction: Cowboys 27, Commanders 13
Jess Haynie (6-8-1):
Cowboys have always been good at tacking on meaningless wins to a lost season. With the Commanders down to QB3, it’s hard to imagine they won’t do it again.
Cowboys win 34-27
David Howman (7-7-1):
I share the confidence of everyone else. The Commanders are so bad that a loss here would suggest that the team needs bigger changes than just finding a new defensive coordinator. I can’t imagine Washington pulling this one off, though I do suspect Josh Johnson will rack up some points before making some costly fourth quarter mistakes.
Cowboys win 41-24
Category: General Sports
