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Dallas got off to a pretty shaky start with losses in three of its first five games, but looked like it had righted the ship when it came out of the bye week with three straight victories. But losses in its last three games, by double-digit margins each time, have the Cowboys teetering on the edge.
Washington, meanwhile, has generally been more competitive but has struggled with consistency throughout the season. The Redskins snapped their second two-game losing streak of the season with last week’s 20-10 victory over the Giants.
The teams are both playing on Thursday night for the second week in a row, and are in a tie for second place in the NFC East with records of 5-6.
Dallas handed Washington its most lopsided defeat of the season when the Cowboys cruised to a 33-19 victory in Week 8. Cowboys’ safety Byron Jones had a 21-yard interception return for a touchdown in that game and David Irving recorded a pair of sacks in the win.
The Cowboys, of course, are without the services of running back Ezekiel Elliott, who rushed 33 times for 150 yards in that first contest. Elliott, who is currently serving the six-game suspension handed down by the NFL, has been replaced be a running-back-by-committee approach.
Rod Smith scored the first touchdown of his career last week in the loss to the Chargers, while his brother, linebacker Jaylon Smith, led Dallas’ defensive effort with eight tackles. Quarterback Dak Prescott was 20 of 27 for 179 yards and two interceptions in the defeat.
Overall, Prescott has completed 221 of 347 passes for 2,318 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions for an overall rating of 87.6. Dez Bryant has been Prescott’s favorite receiver with 53 receptions for 578 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence is tied for third in the NFL with 11.5 sacks to lead the Cowboys’ defensive efforts and Irving has contributed six sacks.
Washington hopes to continue its winning ways on the strength of the arm of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins was 19 of 31 for 248 yards, two touchdowns and an interceptions last week against the Giants.
But it is the running of rookie Samaje Perine that gives the Redskins the biggest boost moving forward. Perine has put together back-to-back 100-yard games in the last two weeks, with 117 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown in an overtime loss to the Saints followed by 100 yards on 24 carries last week against the Giants.
Defensively, cornerback Kendall Fuller is tied for third in the NFL with four interceptions and linebacker Ryan Kerrigan leads the team with nine sacks.
How to watch Redskins at Cowboys
Date: Thursday, November 23rd, 2017
Time: 8:25 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV Channels: NBC and NFL Network
SB Nation Coverage: Hogs Haven and Blogging the Boys
Online Streaming: NBC Sports Live will be streaming the game, as well Amazon Prime Video Service. International viewers can use NFL Game Pass.
Radio: KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan Live Online Radio Stream. Westwood One Sports will air the game across the country. Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Boomer Esiason (analyst) will call the action and Scott Graham will host pregame and halftime shows.
Announcers: Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color analyst) and Heather Cox (sideline reporter).
Odds: Cowboys: -1.5; over/under: 44 (Bovada)