NFL FOOTBALL BETTING PREDICTION - DALLAS COWBOYS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS

NFL Football

2007-12-30 - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown

DALLAS COWBOYS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Sunday, December 30, 4:15 p.m. ET
FedEx Field, Raljon, Maryland

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Washington have their entire destiny in their own hands and are playing some tough emotional foiotball at the moment. The loss of Sean Taylor has inspired the team to make the playoffs for the memory of their team-mate. Last weeks win in Minnesota pushed the Redskins to 8-7 for the season meaning they have been left with the simplest of equations regarding the playoffs- win and they are in!
If they do lose, Washington need both Minnesota and New Orleans to lose their matches too.

Washington are 4-3 at home this season and have lost to the other 2 divisional rivals, the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, at home this season. They are currently on a 3 match winning run which snapped a 4 game losing streak.

The Redskins won their last home game 3 weeks ago against the Bears only 3 days after the funeral of Taylor had been attended by the organisation. It has been since they attended the funeral that they have begun their 3 game winning run. They have scored 22+ points in their last 3 games while their defence is doing well to restrict teams to 21 points or less.

The Redskins have not identified any new injuries coming into this game.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Dallas have secured everything they set out to at the start of the season. Their 13-2 record means they have home field advantage throughout the playoffs as the number 1 seed in the NFC after Green Bay were comfortably beaten last week in Chicago. While there has been lots of talk that they will play to win, there is no doubt that they will be resting some starters that may be suffering with knocks.

Dallas are a perfect 7-0 on the road this season and have already won in New York and Philadelphia against the other 2 divisional rivals. Their last 2 games on the road saw them win close matches in Carolina and Detroit and they have had their lowest points totals of the season in the last 2 games. The defence still plays tough and they have held teams to under 13 points in the last 2 games although they have only won 1 of those games.

Terry Glenn is likely to play his first snaps of the season in this game for Dallas as they prepare for the playoffs. However, Andre Gurode, Terence Newman and Terrell Owens are all definately out already with injuries. Tony Romo has had some problems with his thumb in recent weeks and, while I think he will start, I also feel he might be rested in the second half especially if the Redskins are winning.

Statistics

Dallas beat the Redskins 28-23 earlier this season in Dallas, but the Redskins had won 3 of the previous 4 matches in the series. Washington have also won their last 2 matches at home against the Cowboys. Washington have also won against the spread on 4 of the last 5 occasions they have played.

Washington are 6-7-2 against the spread this season and Dallas are 9-6. They have struggled at home where they are 2-4-1 while the Cowboys are 4-3 on the road. An interesting statistic is Washington are 3-5-1 against the spread when they play on field turf while the Cowboys are 0-2 on field turf this season.

Washington have won their last 3 matches against the spread and Dallas have lost their last 3 matches against the spread.

There is a high chance that we will see rain tomorrow during this match, but there should not be a strong wind to effect the passing game.

PREDICTION

This is a huge game for the Redskins as they are only 60 minutes of football away from making the playoffs and securing a trip to Seattle next week.

Dallas will not roll over for their divisional rivals but they will be resting some starters while others are likely to be given a rest during the latter part of the match.

I think Washington will win but ill go with the Cowboys to take the match with a big handicap

The Pick :