SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT DALLAS COWBOYS

BY ADAM GREENE

Christmas came early for the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to the Tennessee Titans knocking off the San Francisco 49ers Thursday night, the Cowboys ticket to the postseason has been officially punched. They can still secure a home game, the NFC East title and a shot at a first round bye when they host the Washington Football Team on Sunday Night Football.

While Dallas already has its dance invite, the WFT is on the outside looking in on the NFC playoff bracket. A victory here, plus a little help Sunday and Monday can change all that.

This will be the 124^th all time meeting between the two franchises. The Cowboys lead the all time series 74-47-2, but head coach Mike McCarthy is just 1-2 against Ron Rivera’s unit. His lone victory came two weeks ago, 27-20 in a game that should shame Washington as an organization for years to come as Dallas brought its own benches to the WFT’s stadium. Dak Prescott threw for 211 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. CeeDee Lamb caught seven balls for 61 yards. Taylor Heinick was good for 122 yards, a TD and a pick. Cam Sims hauled in three passes for 69 yards and a score.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT DALLAS COWBOYS (-10, O/U: 46.5)

Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Dec. 26, 8:20 p.m.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (6-8)

The bad loss two weeks ago was compounded for the WFT as their Nos. 1 and 2 quarterbacks, Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen, were both caught up in the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol and missed last week. In their place, Garrett Gilbert was brought in off the street straight from his shift at Fudrucker’s. He finished 20 of 31 for 194 in a 27-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The WFT got just 63 yards total on the ground. Terry McLaurin caught two passes for 51 yards. Washington’s defense sacked Jalen Hurts three times and intercepted him once.

DALLAS COWBOYS (10-4)

Dallas got a glorified extra bye week, traveling to New Jersey to snuff out the New York Gants 21-6 a week ago. Prescott was efficient, completing 28 of 37 passing for 217 yards and a touchdown. Tony Pollard rushed 12 times for 74 yards. Ezekiel Elliot had 16 carries for 52 yards and a score. Dalton Schultz caught eight passes for 67 yards and a TD. The Cowboys defense sacked New York’s QBs once and picked them off three times.

THE PICK

While Heinicke is expected to suit up Sunday night, any faith I had in the WFT was tossed in the woodchipper and set on fire after they let Dallas bring their own benches into their home park and beat them. Rivera has done all he can with this crew, and its present QB situation. McCarthy has managed the unthinkable. Thanks to landing a job he had no business ever even being considered for and inheriting a team with a Super Bowl roster, he’s rode their coattails to a double digit winning season and the playoffs. The ride continues Sunday. Cowboys 27, WFT 16

Last Week

Straight up: 9-7

Against the spread: 9-7

Season

Straight up: 133-90-1

Against the spread: 115-109

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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