Cowboys vs. Raiders Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
We are at the point of the season where the NFL allows American TV network NBC to “flex” a better game into the Sunday night spot. There are three matchups in Week 15 better than Cowboys-Raiders in terms of playoff ramifications (Packers-Panthers, Rams-Seahawks and Patriots-Steelers would be the three).
Point Spread and Betting Analysis
This is one game that was never going to be “flexed” out because the Cowboys and Raiders are two of the marquee franchises in the NFL and have worldwide appeal. Dallas is America’s Team, while the Raiders are the anti-establishment team, so to speak. That franchise lived up to its nickname under renegade owner Al Davis (he sued the NFL more than once and moved from Oakland to L.A. back to Oakland) in its heyday 1970s and 80s. This likely will be the final Cowboys trip to Oakland because the Raiders are set to move to Las Vegas in a few years – although you can never rule out a franchise returning to Oakland someday.
That’s not to say this game isn’t important as the Cowboys are chasing a wild-card spot and Oakland is a game out of first in the AFC West. The Cowboys have won the past two meetings, last in 2013. They haven’t been to Oakland since 2005.
These Raiders have covered only two of their past 11 overall.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys (7-6 SU, 7-6 ATS) won their second in a row Sunday, 30-10 at the terrible New York Giants. The game was closer than the score as it was tied 10-all midway through the fourth quarter. Dak Prescott threw for a career-high 332 yards and three scores, including the winner to Jason Witten at the 7:38 mark of the fourth. Rod Smith would add an 81-yard TD catch and a 15-yard scoring run. Entering the game, the Cowboys had just four pass plays this season of 20 yards or more. All of Prescott’s TD throws were at least that long. He hadn’t topped 176 yards in the previous four games. Dallas is now 2-3 without star running back Ezekiel Elliott. This will be the finale of his six-game suspension. The Cowboys likely need to win out to have any shot at the playoffs.
Oakland Raiders
Oakland (6-7 SU, 4-8-1 ATS) saw its two-game winning streak snapped in a 26-15 loss in Kansas City, which had dropped four in a row and six of its past seven. Oakland didn’t score until there was 8:51 to go on a Marshawn Lynch 22-yard run. The Raiders were outgained 408-268 and turned it over three times. Derek Carr was picked off twice. He had just 69 yards passing through three quarters despite the returns of receivers Amari Cooper (from injury) and Michael Crabtree (from suspension). This is Oakland’s home finale. The Raiders are 3-4 ATS at home this season.
