Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Dallas Cowboys have already clinched the NFC East and will look to extend their winning streak to four games when they visit the Washington Redskins in a Week 17 divisional matchup.

The Cowboys are coming off a 42-7 rout of the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday as three-point home favorites, while the Redskins knocked the Philadelphia Eagles out of playoff contention with a 27-24 victory as seven-point home underdogs last Saturday.

Point spread: Cowboys opened as five-point favorites; the total was 49.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 29.4-15.2 Cowboys

Why the Cowboys can cover the spread

Dallas does not want to go into the playoffs with a loss and will also be trying to finish up the regular season perfect on the road. The Cowboys are 7-0 so far this year, going 6-1 against the spread, with the lone non-cover coming against the New York Giants in a 31-28 victory as 4.5-point favorites five weeks ago.

Since then, they have beaten the Eagles and Chicago Bears on the road by a combined 24 points. While Dallas may be resting some starters, Washington has won consecutive games only once this season; that occurred the last time the Cowboys faced the Redskins in Week 8.

Why the Redskins can cover the spread

Washington has surprisingly gone 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings with Dallas, including the first game between the teams earlier this season that resulted in a 20-17 overtime victory as a nine-point underdog. The Redskins started Colt McCoy at quarterback in that game and will have Robert Griffin III under center this time around.

Griffin has a lot to prove in the regular-season finale and should be motivated to have a good performance for head coach Jay Gruden, with neither of their futures guaranteed in Washington past this year. Sweeping the Cowboys would at least be something the team could build on no matter who is back next season.

Smart Pick

The Redskins turned out to be a good play last week at home against Philadelphia, so why not pick them again Sunday hosting Dallas? The Cowboys traditionally struggle in Week 17, going 2-9 ATS in their past 11 regular-season finales.

Combine that with the fact that they do not have anything to gain and Washington has played them tough over the years, and the Redskins become the side here. Dallas will be more concerned about entering the postseason healthy, especially since the team is going to be playing a home playoff game next week.

This is Washington’s Super Bowl, and Gruden will do everything he can to motivate his players in an effort to save his job. Take the Redskins.

Betting Trends

• Dallas is 5-0 straight up in its last five games on the road.
• The total has gone under in six of Washington's last seven games when playing at home against Dallas.

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark - follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.