TNF Prediction

Welcome to The Truda Report everybody. Today I'm going to quickly be giving my pick for tonight's Thursday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. This game has meaning for both teams as this is the Cowboys last hope in sparking a run towards a wildcard spot in the playoffs, and a game that could also get the Redskins closer to a wildcard birth. Make sure to share this article as it helps TTR grow.

Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins:
With this game being a divisional battle between two rivals, it should be close. I know that the Cowboys haven't performed well recently without Ezekiel Elliott, but that doesn't change the fact that they have historically kept their divisional match ups close. What I don't like about Dallas right now, though, is that they have no identity. They've abandoned the run putting games on the shoulders of Dak Prescott, who lets just say has underwhelmed (no 200 yard games, 0 TDs, 5 INTs). By not playing a ball control offense anymore, the Cowboys defense is on the field for much longer than usual making their job much harder, which is why in the time without Elliott they have surrendered 27, 37, and 28 points. This also means that Dak is having to play from behind increasing the likelihood he makes mistakes. This is not how Dallas was built to play, and Jason Garrett should be getting more of the blame for how he has run this team without Zeke.

The Redskins on the other hand do have an identity this season, and its name is mediocrity. The defense is okay at 20th in the league and the offense is 11th (11th passing and 18th rushing). The team currently sits below .500 at 5-6, but the way Dallas' defense has performed I think that changes tonight. I'm taking the Redskins in a close one because of Kirk Cousins recent connection with Jamison Crowder, who has been a great receiver lately. The Cowboys secondary has been a disaster and I see Kirk and Crowder exploiting that tonight. If I'm choosing a score, I'm taking neither a high or low scoring game, saying 24-16 will be the final. Sorry Dallas, but your season basically ends tonight.