Khalil Mack, Mitch Trubisky and the rest of the blossoming Chicago Bears will look to extend their winning ways when they hit the road to take on Matthew Stafford and a Detroit Lions team that is completely desperate to keep it longshot playoff hopes alive heading into Week 12.
If you’re wondering whether Mack and the Bears are the pick or whether Stafford and the Lions can get the big home upset, then let’s et to my expert Week 12 NFL pick right now for this special Thanksgiving Day Game.
Thanksgiving Day Game: Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
Game Information
What: Thanksgiving Day Game: Washington Redskins (6-4) at Dallas Cowboys (5-5)
When: Thursday, November 22, 2018, 4:30 PM ET
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
TV: FOX
Weather Forecast
Mostly Sunny: 13°C | 55°F
Humidity: 64%
Wind: 6 MPH SE
Stadium Type: Retractable Roof
Washington Redskins
Washington ended up on the wrong end of a heartbreaking 23-21 loss against Houston on Sunday despite narrowly covering the chalk as a 3-point home dog. More importantly, the Redskins lost veteran quarterback Alex Smith for the remainder of the season to a gruesome broken leg. Smith tossed two interceptions including one that was returned 101 yards by Houston’s Justin Reid for a pick-six.
“I know it was very painful for him and heartbreaking for a lot of people,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “He’s a great guy and hard worker and one of the key leaders on this football team. These things happen in pro football, unfortunately. Just hate to see them happen with a guy like Alex.”
Veteran backup Colt McCoy relieved Smith and completed 6 of 12 passes for 64 yards and a touchdown while running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 51 yards and two scores on 16 carries.
“You pray for opportunities to get to play,” said McCoy. “You don’t like to see it how it happened today.”
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas looked solid in recording their second straight win by taking down Atlanta 22-19 on Sunday to cover the spread as a 3.5-point road dog. The Cowboys were lifted to victory on Brett Maher’s game-winning 42-yard field goal on the game’s final play after blowing a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
“I was confident,” Maher said. “Every time I step on the field, the goal is to go one for one. Everyone in here is doing so much for our team. For the offense to be able to drive the ball down the field and get us in position again, and L.P. (snapper Louis-Philippe Ladouceur) and Chris (Jones, the holder) coming through like they always do, I was just happy to do my part.”
Star running back Ezekiel Elliott had his second straight big game with 122 rushing yards and one score on 23 carries while catching seven passes for 79 more yards. Now, the Boys are getting prepared for their longtime division rivals.
“We’ve got a big one against as big a rival as there is in sports,” Dallas owner Jerry Jones said. “We have a lot at stake here.”
Expert Pick and Prediction
For this intriguing Week 12 NFC East divisional battle, I’m going to encourage you to back Washington to cover the spread as a slightly more than touchdown road dog. Just 1.4 points per game separate these two very evenly matched teams on both sides of the ball. Washington has gone a near-perfect 5-1 ATS in their last six games, while the road team in this NFC East rivalry has gone 7-2 ATS in their last 9 meetings. With the Redskins going a consistent 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road dates against Dallas, I say Washington covers the spread again as Colt McCoy plays just well enough to keep Washington in this contest. I like Dallas for the outright win because they are playing at home, but I’m going with Washington to cover the chalk with room to spare!
Predicted Score Dallas Cowboys 24 | Washington Redskins 21
