Dallas Cowboys (9-5) 7-7 ATS, 6-8 O/U at Washington Redskins (4-10) 6-7-1 ATS, 8-6 O/U. Week 16, Sunday December 27, 2009 8:20 p.m. EST
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Dallas -7/Washington +7
Over/Under: 42
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The Dallas Cowboys strolled into New Orleans last week and played as well as they have all season. Why? They played football the same way they played in August, September, and every other time they hit the field. That was the message received by the fans and the Saints players. When you’re in a hostile environment and the noise is so loud that you can’t hear yourself talk you have to block out the static, the chaos, and the nuns yelling at you to make a mistake! Yes, the Cowboys have had their share of the roller coaster ride this season but they balanced their coaster car at the top of their game as they beat the previously perfect Saints 24-17 in front 70,000 stunned Superdome fans. Can the Boys do it again this week at Washington? If Tony Romo performs anywhere close to how he did versus the Saints then Dallas will be in good shape.
Washington was absolutely embarrassed by the New York Giants last week 45-12. The Redskins were dominated in every niche of the game. It doesn’t look any better entering this week’s matchup with Dallas especially the way the Cowboys played last week by knocking off an unbeaten team. Skins head coach, Jim Zorn, may be on his way out of Washington following this season as he has not been able to make any significant strides during his stint. Recent comments from players have pointed toward the coach’s lack of leadership and direction. Certainly Coach Zorn has the best of intentions but maybe a change will help everyone at this point.
Dallas comes into this game averaging 22.9 points per game and 394 yards of total offense with 264 yards passing and 129 yards on the ground. The Cowboys average 20 points per game on the road. Defensively, the Boy’s allow 17.9 points per contest and 329 yards of total offense. They are more suspect to the passing game as they give up 232 yards passing per game and just 95 yards rushing. In the last three games Dallas has only allowed 79 yards rushing to their opponents.
The Redskins are averaging 17.6 points per game and 317 yards of total offense with 217 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. Washington averages 16 points per game at home. Defensively, the Skin’s give up 21.1 points per contest to the opposition. They allow 194 yards passing and 117 yards on the ground. In their last three games the Redskins have averaged 25 points, but they have given up 30 to their competition.
Tony Romo has a QB rating of 97.8 to accompany his 3,886 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on the season. Romo averages 8.1 yards per pass completion and has a 62 percent completion rate.
Jason Campbell has an 87 point QB rating to go along with his 3,138 yards passing, 18 TDs and 14 interceptions. Campbell averages 7.3 yards per completed pass play and has a 64 percent completion record.
Dallas is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 road games. Washington is 3-10 ATS in their last 13 home games. Head to head, the underdog is 21-7 in their last 28 meetings.
The line on this game opened at Washington +4 with a total of 41. Most offshore oddsmakers are showing the Redskins at +7 with a total of 42. The Las Vegas Hilton Sportsbook is showing the Skins at +7 with the total also at 42.
The Cowboys won the first meeting this season on November 22, 7-6 when the Boy’s were -11 and the total was 41.5.
Wilson’s Pick: The Cowboys keep playing like a team on a mission. Dallas 34, Redskins 17. Luck to ya.
