Fresh off their biggest win of the season, the Dallas Cowboys will host an Arizona Cardinals squad that’s slumping over the past couple of weeks.
Both teams have already clinched a spot in the NFL playoffs and the Cowboys have already secured the top spot in the NFC East.
However, Dallas still needs to win out to have a shot at the first seed, while the Cardinals still have a chance to take the NFC West away from the Rams. Needless to say, this will be must-watch television.
Can The Cowboys Get The 1st Seed In The NFC?
The Cowboys are sitting at an 11-4 record and only trail the Green Bay Packers by one game.
While the Packers control their destiny, they have a couple of divisional games ahead of them, with the Vikings and Lions on deck.
The Cowboys could get the first seed if the Packers lose one of those games and they beat both the Cardinals and the Eagles.
Led by their elite defense, the Cowboys have two big candidates for Defensive Player of the Year in Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons.
Is Kliff Kingsbury Suddenly On The Hot Seat?
Not so long ago, the Cardinals looked like the best team in all of football.
Now, injuries, questionable play-calling, and a reluctance to run the football and balance the offense have some people questioning whether the team will look to extend Kliff Kingsbury’s contract in the offseason.
Needless to say, all eyes will be set on the young coach and Kyler Murray, especially after the front office went to great lengths to put together a competitive squad on both sides of the football this season.
Key Stats, Injuries, And Trends
Albeit both teams are decimated by injuries, the Cardinals will suffer the most with DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt out for the season. As for James Conner and Rondale Moore, they’re both listed as day-to-day and have a chance to play.
The Cowboys rank 1st in total yards per game at 409.5, while the Cardinals allow the 8th-fewest yards at 324.3.
Also, Mike McCarthy’s team has the edge on points per game, yards gained, time of possession, and kicking; while the Cardinals are better when it comes to yards allowed and penalties.
Picks for Cowboys vs. Cardinals
The Cowboys are currently favored by 5.5 points ahead of this game, with the total projected at 50 points.
Dak Prescott should have a tougher time picking apart the Cardinals’ defense than he did against Washington.
However, Kyler Murray has looked far from sharp over the past couple of weeks, and having an undermanned offense isn’t going to do him any favors against one of the team’s finest defensive units.
All things considered, we can expect both coaches to be rather conservative and this game to go under the total, with two good defenses setting the tone.
]]>The Inquisitr
