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Cowboys Listed as 11-Point Favorites vs Redskins in Opening Week 17 Spread

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in NFL Football

Updated Apr 19, 2020 · 10:54 PM PDT

Dwayne Haskins
The Washington Redskins have covered in five of seven outings this season while pegged as double-digit underdogs, but can they close the gap on the Dallas Cowboys, who have opened as 11-point chalk in their Week 17 matchup? Photo by Erik Drost (Wikipedia).
  • Dallas Cowboys have opened as 11-point favorites against Washington in NFL Week 17 
  • Cowboys in desperation mode after dropping 17-9 decision to Philadelphia as 2-point road chalk
  • Redskins have lost three straight, but have been a strong bet when pegged as double-digit underdogs

After falling out of top spot in the NFC East standings with a 17-9 loss in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, the Dallas Cowboys have opened as 11-point favorites in next week’s season finale against the Washington Redskins on the Week 17 NFL odds .

In addition to failing to clinch the NFC East, Sunday’s loss in Philadelphia as 2-point chalk also strips Dallas of control of its own playoff destiny.

Now sporting a 7-8 record, the Cowboys need to a win over Washington, combined with an Eagles loss in their road game in New York against the Giants to win the division and claim the final playoff spot in the as NFC East champions.

Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Washington Redskins +11 (-105) n/a Ov 45 (-110)
Dallas Cowboys -11 (-115) n/a Un 45 (-110)

*Odds taken 12/22/19

Cowboys Darlings at the Sportsbooks

While the Cowboys have been a regular disappointment on the gridiron this season, they have been the darlings of the sportsbooks. Sunday night’s opening line marks the 14th time Dallas has opened as a betting favorite this season. And despite suffering outright defeats on seven occasions while favored, the Cowboys have shown remarkable resiliency at the sportsbooks, particularly in recent weeks, maintaining their support on the betting lines even while regularly producing SU losses.

Ironically, the one exception in recent weeks came ahead of their Week 15 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. After opening as strong 3-point chalk, the Cowboys saw their position steadily erode, dipping to 1-point underdogs before the line settled as a pick ‘em by game time.

Dallas proceeded to romp to a 44-21 victory over the Rams, positioning the squad to win the decision in Philadelphia this weekend. Otherwise, game line odds have largely held steady ahead of recent contests involving the Cowboys, moving no more than a half-point in their previous two home dates.

Redskins Regularly Faded Despite Recent Steady Results

While the Redskins have long been out of playoff contention, they would like nothing more than to drive a stake into the heart of the Cowboys’ playoff hopes. Washington produced an impressive fourth-quarter rally before falling 41-35 to the Giants in overtime on Sunday, failing to cover as 1-point home underdogs.

Like the rest of the NFC East, the Redskins have largely been a disappointment this season at 3-12. However, Washington started to produce better results at the sportsbooks in the second half of the season, covering in five of their past nine contests, including a heartbreaking ATS defeat on the last play of the game in a 37-27 loss to the Eagles last weekend as a 6.5-point home underdog. In addition, the Redskins have been steady when pegged as double-digit underdogs, going 5-2 ATS this season, including a 29-21 victory in Carolina as 10.5-point underdogs in Week 13.

Sports bettors largely abandoned the Redskins last week, with the squad tumbling to 1-point underdogs by game time after opening as 2-point chalk against the Giants

The hopeful trends have done little to boost confidence in the Redskins at the sportsbooks. Back-to-back wins over Detroit and the Panthers enabled Washington to maintain their opening positions ahead of subsequent losing efforts against Green Bay and the Eagles. But sports bettors largely abandoned the Redskins last week, with the squad tumbling to 1-point underdogs by game time after opening as 2-point chalk against the Giants.

Injuries, Record vs Cowboys Work Against Redskins

Injuries in Sunday’s loss to the Giants, along with a dismal recent track record against the Cowboys, are likely to hinder any momentum the Redskins enjoy on the Week 17 odds between now and game time. Both rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins and receiver Terry McLaurin left Sunday’s contest with injury.

The Redskins have also surrendered 100 total points over three straight losses in Dallas. And with their season on the line, expect sports bettors to show the Cowboys more of the same love that has been the hallmark of the current campaign.

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