The NFL’s annual Thanksgiving Day schedule will once again be highlighted by the Dallas Cowboys as they host the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday.  The Cowboys’ offence was nowhere to be found in their 19-9 loss in Kansas City on Sunday, but they still hold top spot in the NFC East with a 7-3 record.  Las Vegas’ season implosion continued last week in a 32-13 home loss against the Bengals.  The Raiders fell to 5-5 on the year and sit tied with Denver for last in the AFC West.

Dallas is a 7-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 50.5.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

This is the first meeting between these teams since the Cowboys’ came out on the right side of a 20-17 decision in Dallas in 2017.  Early Sports Interaction bettors like the home team in this one, with a little over 60 per cent of action taking the Cowboys.  The total is a closer split as just under 60 per cent of bettors are taking the Over.

Las Vegas’ season is unravelling and they come into this contest with losses in five of their last seven games.  They’re 4-6 against the spread, covering in half of their four road games, and they’ve failed to cover in six of their last eight games overall.  The total has gone Over in 10 of the Raiders’ last 15 games dating back to last year, but they’ve only gone above the number once on the road this season.

The Cowboys have cruised at home this year, where they have a commanding 4-1 record.  They’ve also been a great cover option, going 8-2 ATS overall, including 4-1 ATS at home.  Dating back to last season, Dallas has now covered in six of their last seven home games.  The total has gone Under in four of their last five games overall.

Las Vegas Raiders

After starting the season 3-0, the Raiders have now dropped three straight games.  Derek Carr looked average at best against the Bengals, finishing with 215 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception.  He’s now thrown five picks in his last four games.  The rushing offence is also struggling.  Josh Jacobs finished with just 37 rushing yards on nine carries last week and has only amassed 129 yards over his last three games.  Jacobs is the team’s leading rusher with 333 yards and five TDs on the season.  Darren Waller was the lone offensive bright spot against Cincinnati.  Waller picked up 116 receiving yards on seven catches.  He leads the team with 610 receiving yards and two TDs.  Las Vegas’ offence has only amassed 43 combined points over the last three games, while the defence has given up 96 in that span.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas has a nice cushion in the NFC East standings despite losing two of their last three games.  Dak Prescott struggled last week, finishing with 216 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.  Overall, however, Prescott is having a nice bounce-back year in his return from a devastating leg injury last season.  He’s thrown for 2,557 yards with a 20:7 TD to INT ratio and is a -350 favourite to win the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award.

Ezekiel Elliott leads the team with 695 rushing yards and seven TDs despite playing through a knee injury.  Elliott will likely need to shoulder more of the offensive load this week as Dallas could be without their top two receivers in Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.  Cooper will miss his second straight game in COVID protocols, while Lamb’s status is uncertain after leaving last week’s game with a concussion.  Lamb leads the team in receiving with 740 yards and six TDs.  Cooper is right behind him with 583 yards and five TDs.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Raiders vs. Cowboys?