The Dallas Cowboys per usual host the mid-afternoon game on the American Thanksgiving holiday this Thursday and face a familiar foe in the Washington Football Team. Dallas opened as a 2.5-point favourite on the NFL odds with a total of 47.5.

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If this holiday matchup seems familiar, it’s because it will be the fourth time in the past five seasons that Washington visits Dallas on Thanksgiving. It’s Washington’s 12th Thanksgiving game all-time and 10th against the Cowboys. Dallas hosts every year.

Washington looks to end a three-game skid at AT&T Stadium overall, last winning in Arlington 34-23 on Jan. 3, 2016. The Cowboys look to avoid the season sweep, though, as they were dominated in a 25-3 loss in Maryland in Week 7.

Dallas starting quarterback Andy Dalton was knocked out of the game with a concussion on a clearly dirty hit by Washington linebacker Jon Bostic, who was ejected but only got a $12,000 fine. Needless to say, the Cowboys were not happy with that and there could be some payback coming on the field. Dalton wasn’t very good before leaving, going 9-for-19 for 75 yards with a pick. Dallas had just 142 yards. Washington QB Kyle Allen threw for two scores, but he’s now out for the season. Rookie running back Antonio Gibson rushed for 128 yards and a score.

The Cowboys are 7-3 in the past 10 meetings and 6-4 against the spread.

Washington Football Team

Washington snapped a two-game losing streak Sunday with a 20-9 home victory over Cincinnati. It helped Washington’s cause that Bengals starting QB Joe Burrow was knocked out of the game with a season-ending injury. Gibson continued his excellent rookie season by rushing for 94 yards and a touchdown. His eight rushing TDs lead all rookies and he’s tied with Charlie Brown and Skip Hicks for third-most total touchdowns for a rookie in franchise history.

QB Alex Smith won a game for the first time since Nov. 11, 2018 — one week before he broke the fibula and tibia in his right leg. Cornerback Ronald Darby had a big effort, becoming the third player in Washington history to compile four passes defensed and a fumble recovery in a game.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas came out of its bye week and pulled off one of the big upsets of Week 11, 31-28 at Minnesota. Dalton was back for the first time since the Washington game and threw for 203 yards and three scores. He hit tight end Dalton Schultz on the winning 2-yard TD pass with 1:37 left. Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 103 yards (first 100-yard game of the season) and caught a TD pass.

Safety Donovan Wilson had the game of his career with two forced fumbles, one recovered, nine tackles and a half sack. Wilson became the first Cowboys defender with multiple forced fumbles in a game since 2016.

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