In the wacky and wild world that is the NFC East, the 3-8 Dallas Cowboys are just two games back of the division leading Washington Redskins.
This week's game is a must-win though, as there's no turning back for Dallas if it loses this one.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Dallas Cowboys +5
Washington Redskins -5
Over/Under 42
ODDS ANALYSIS
This is the first of two meetings in the last month of the season for the Redskins and Cowboys, so there really isn't a precedent for this betting line. Dallas might be the team which really needs a win, but it's a big underdog at +5. This spread has come down a bit to Washington -4.5, and believe it or not, around 65 percent of the bets have been on the hosts. That makes the Cowboys just a tad bit sharp with the points.
The total is one of the lower of the week at 41.5, down just a tick from the opening number at 42.
WHEN THE DALLAS COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL
Dallas' offense accounted for four touchdowns on Thanksgiving Day against Carolina, but unfortunately for Tony Romo, two of those four offenses were scored by the Panthers on interceptions returned for scores.
The key for live bettors when Dallas has the ball is how involved Dez Bryant is. Bryant is the best player on this entire offense, and Romo has to get him the football. He only had two catches for 26 yards last week, and he's had just one game with more than 50 receiving yards all season long.
That's only a part of the equation, though. Bryant can provide the big plays, but Darren McFadden needs to get the ball moving on the ground. Ten carries for 11 yards like he had last week simply isn't going to cut it.
The Washington defense has had big problems with teams with big time running games. The Panthers put 44 up against this unit, while the Bucs managed 30 and the Jets put up 34. Meanwhile, teams which don't have great ground games aren't having great success against this defense. The Giants and Saints both scored just 14 points.
If McFadden isn't able to bust runs up the middle consistently, the Redskins are probably incredibly sharp choices in live betting.
WHEN THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS HAVE THE BALL
Kirk Cousins isn't putting up special numbers this year, and the argument could be made that he's one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league.
However, in spite of the fact that he hasn't had DeSean Jackson for most of the season and the rest of his wide receivers stink, he's still putting up wins. Let's not forget that Matt Jones and Alfred Morris only have combined for 833 yards and three TDs, and they're both averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.
However, let's not forget that Jackson is back, and he's had a 50+ yard touchdown catch in each of his last two games. An explosive play could happen on any snap.
The Dallas defense, for good measure, has allowed just a total of four offensive touchdowns in its last three games. Don't let that 33 points allowed against Carolina spook you. The Cowboys are playing legit ball on the defensive side of the ball. If they're going to cover and win this game or be successful in live betting, it's going to be here on defense.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The Week 13 duel between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins will go down Monday, December 7, 2015 at 8:30 p.m. ET at FedEx Field. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
