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.

NFL Week 12 Point Spread and Betting Analysis

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.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Football Team vs. Cowboys?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Football Team Team Leaders

WAS

Touchdowns	Antonio Gibson 11
Rushing	Antonio Gibson 795
Passing	Alex Smith 1582
Receiving	Terry McLaurin 87
Sacks	Montez Sweat 9
Interceptions	Kendall Fuller 4

DAL

Touchdowns	Ezekiel Elliott 8
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 979
Passing	Andy Dalton 2170
Receiving	Amari Cooper 92
Sacks	Demarcus Lawrence 6.5
Interceptions	Trevon Diggs 3

WAS

Touchdowns	Steven Sims Jr. 1
Rushing	Taylor Heinicke 46
Passing	Taylor Heinicke 306
Receiving	Cam Sims 7
Sacks	Daron Payne 2
Interceptions	Jonathan Allen 0

DAL

Touchdowns
Rushing
Passing	Did not qualify
Receiving
Sacks
Interceptions

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Cowboys Team Leaders

WAS

Touchdowns	Antonio Gibson 11
Rushing	Antonio Gibson 795
Passing	Alex Smith 1582
Receiving	Terry McLaurin 87
Sacks	Montez Sweat 9
Interceptions	Kendall Fuller 4

DAL

Touchdowns	Ezekiel Elliott 8
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 979
Passing	Andy Dalton 2170
Receiving	Amari Cooper 92
Sacks	Demarcus Lawrence 6.5
Interceptions	Trevon Diggs 3

WAS

Touchdowns	Steven Sims Jr. 1
Rushing	Taylor Heinicke 46
Passing	Taylor Heinicke 306
Receiving	Cam Sims 7
Sacks	Daron Payne 2
Interceptions	Jonathan Allen 0

DAL

Touchdowns
Rushing
Passing	Did not qualify
Receiving
Sacks
Interceptions

Weather

temp	73
condition	sunny
wind	Southeast 13mph

Injuries

Washington

Kendall Fuller (CB)

Prob Sat Knee - 06 / 01 / 21

Terry McLaurin (WR)

Prob Sat Ankle - 05 / 01 / 21

Alex Smith (QB)

Out Sat Calf - 05 / 01 / 21

Antonio Gibson (RB)

Prob Sat Toe - 05 / 01 / 21

Tim Settle (DT)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 20

Wes Schweitzer (G)

Ques Sun Hip - 30 / 12 / 20

Antonio Gibson (RB)

Ques Sun Toe - 30 / 12 / 20

Thomas Davis Sr. (LB)

Out Sat Personal - 26 / 12 / 20

Terry McLaurin (WR)

Ques Sun Ankle - 24 / 12 / 20

Dwayne Haskins Jr. (QB)

Doub Sun Poss. Suspension - 22 / 12 / 20

Dallas

Justin Hamilton (DT)

I-R Illness - 01 / 01 / 21

Ben Dinucci (QB)

Out Sun Wrist - 31 / 12 / 20

Chidobe Awuzie (CB)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20

Ezekiel Elliott (RB)

Prob Sun Calf - 30 / 12 / 20

Donovan Wilson (S)

Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 20

Darian Thompson (S)

Out indefinitely Concussion - 27 / 12 / 20

Blake Bell (TE)

Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 12 / 20

Michael Gallup (WR)

Ques Sun Hip - 21 / 12 / 20

Michael Gallup (WR)

day-to-day Hip - 20 / 12 / 20

Leighton Vander Esch (LB)

Out indefinitely Ankle - 20 / 12 / 20

Injuries

Washington

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kendall Fuller (CB)	Prob Sat	Knee - 06 / 01 / 21	0-1	0-1	+ -
Fuller is bothered by a knee injury, but it is projected that he will take the field for the NFC Wild Card game versus the Buccaneers.
Terry McLaurin (WR)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 05 / 01 / 21	0-1	0-1	+ -
McLaurin is hampered by an ankle injury, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card game.
Alex Smith (QB)	Out Sat	Calf - 05 / 01 / 21	0-1	0-1	+ -
Smith will not dress for the NFC Wild Card game versus the Buccaneers due to a calf injury.
Antonio Gibson (RB)	Prob Sat	Toe - 05 / 01 / 21	0-1	0-1	+ -
Gibson is battling a toe injury, but it is likely that he will take on the Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card game.
Tim Settle (DT)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 20	0-2	0-2	+ -
Settle is laid up with a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will partake in Sunday's matchup against the Eagles.
Wes Schweitzer (G)	Ques Sun	Hip - 30 / 12 / 20	0-2	0-2	+ -
Schweitzer is managing a hip injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Eagles on Sunday.
Antonio Gibson (RB)	Ques Sun	Toe - 30 / 12 / 20	0-2	0-2	+ -
Gibson is battling a toe injury, leaving his status against the Eagles on Sunday clouded.
Thomas Davis Sr. (LB)	Out Sat	Personal - 26 / 12 / 20	1-2	0-3	+ -
Davis is tending to a personal matter, and he will not be available for the NFC Wild Card game versus the Buccaneers.
Terry McLaurin (WR)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 24 / 12 / 20	1-2	0-3	+ -
McLaurin sat out the last contest with a high-ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will take on the Eagles on Sunday.
Dwayne Haskins Jr. (QB)	Doub Sun	Poss. Suspension - 22 / 12 / 20	1-2	0-3	+ -
Haskins Jr. is facing a potential suspension due to a violation of COVID-19 protocol, and he is not expected to take on the Panthers on Sunday.

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Justin Hamilton (DT)	I-R	Illness - 01 / 01 / 21	1-0	1-0	+ -
Hamilton has hit the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown how long he will be sidelined.
Ben Dinucci (QB)	Out Sun	Wrist - 31 / 12 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Dinucci has a sore right wrist, and it will impede his availability for Sunday's showdown with the Giants.
Chidobe Awuzie (CB)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Awuzie has injuries to his hamstring and groin, but he is likely to be a participant in Sunday's tilt with the Giants.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB)	Prob Sun	Calf - 30 / 12 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Elliott is expected to take the field for Sunday's matchup versus the Giants despite a calf injury.
Donovan Wilson (S)	Ques Sun	Illness - 30 / 12 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Wilson is ailing from an illness, and it is unknown if he will play against the Giants on Sunday.
Darian Thompson (S)	Out indefinitely	Concussion - 27 / 12 / 20	2-0	2-0	+ -
Thompson has a concussion, and has also been placed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list. It is uncertain when he will return to action.
Blake Bell (TE)	Ques Sun	Illness - 24 / 12 / 20	2-0	2-0	+ -
Bell is ailing from an illness, and his status for Sunday's clash against the Eagles is in question.
Michael Gallup (WR)	Ques Sun	Hip - 21 / 12 / 20	2-0	2-0	+ -
Gallup was lifted from the last game with a hip pointer, leaving his status against the Eagles on Sunday hazy.
Michael Gallup (WR)	day-to-day	Hip - 20 / 12 / 20	3-0	2-1	+ -
Gallup was lifted from the last game with a strained hip, leaving his status against the Eagles in Week 16 hazy.
Leighton Vander Esch (LB)	Out indefinitely	Ankle - 20 / 12 / 20	3-0	2-1	+ -
Vander Esch is out of commission due to a high-ankle sprain, and he will miss an extended period.