Cowboys
vs.
Raiders
Week 15
NFL Pick
12/17/17
By: Jason Green
Dallas Cowboys (7-6 SU 7-6 ATS) vs. Oakland Raiders (6-7 SU 4-7-1 ATS)
While there are three Games left to go in the playoffs it is pretty likely that both of these teams need to win this Game to have any chance at the playoffs. The Raiders are in the more wide-open AFC, but are one-Game under .500 and the Cowboys are only one Game over .500 and may need to win out and get some help to make the post-season. Dallas has won two straight putting up at least 30 points in each, but it came facing the reeling Redskins and weak Giants. They are still without Ezekiel Elliot for another Game, but Dallas has run the ball well lately.
At 5 dimes sportsbook the Cowboys are the 3-point favorite with a total of 46.
The Raiders have to be one of the more disappointing teams in the league after winning the AFC West last season and they had won two in a row before a big division loss in their last Game. They are one Game back of the Chargers and Chiefs, who they lost to in their last Game, and they have a tough remaining Schedule having to face the Eagles in Philly in their next Game and then on the road against facing the Chargers in their season finale. Derek Carr has not been the same QB as last season and as a team Oakland only ranks tied for 21st in ppg and 20th in points against.
These teams have not faced-off since the 2013 season.
The Cowboys cruised to a 30-10 win over the hapless New York Giants in their last Game where the Game was pretty close until the 4th quarter where Dallas outscored New York 20-0. For the Game the Cowboys out-GAined the Giants 454 yards to 330 yards, forced two turnovers not committing one, and they had a balanced offensive Game. Dak Prescott came up with a big Game passing for 332 yards with 3 TD and 0 INT and Rod Smith and Dez Bryant combined for 186 receiving yards and each hauled in a TD. Alfred Morris rushed for 62 yards and Smith chimed in for 47 yards and a rushing TD. Oakland ranks 25th in the league in pass defense and 16th in run defense and they GAve up 408 total yards in their last Game facing the Chiefs.
The Raiders are coming off a costly 26-15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs where they not only GAve up 408 yards, but only GAined 268 yards and they turned the ball over three times. Oakland only had 70 rushing yards in the Game and Carr was responsible for two of the turnovers with a couple of picks, but did pass for 211 yards with a TD. Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, who is injured and a question mark for this Game, have not been the dynamic duo they were last season. The Raiders only rank tied for 26th in the league in rushing yards per Game and Marshawn LyNCh did have 61 of the 70 rushing yards in the Game, but has still been a disappointment this season. Carr may be the key in this Game facing a Dallas pass D that only ranks 23rd in the league.
The Cowboys are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 Games facing a team with a losing record, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road Games, and in their last 6 Games they have an Under record of 5-1.
The Raiders are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 Games, 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 Games facing a team with a winning record, and in their last 4 Games the Under record is 4-0.
Jason’s Pick: I am not going to lie I do not like the Cowboys at all, but they are the pick in this Game. The Raiders are back to being a below .500 team that will not change after this Game, as Dallas will win and cover the spread..