When the Cowboys (11-4) travel to face the Titans (7-8) in the first game of NFL Week 17, they will be looking to keep their slim NFC East title hopes alive. Dallas, having already clinched at least a wild-card playoff berth, can keep putting pressure on first-place Philadelphia (13-2), whom it beat at home last week.
For second-place Tennessee from the AFC South, this game has little meaning. It must still win in Jacksonville in Week 18 to win its division, regardless of its outcome and what happens with the Jaguars in Houston on Sunday.
The Titans are thinking about resting key players at home, including Derrick Henry, given its recent rash of injuries to starters. The Cowboys also will be a little careful but their questionable player, running back Tony Pollard (thigh), is expected to play.
NFL WEEK 17 PICKS: Against the spread | Straight-up predictions
Cowboys vs. Titans odds for Thursday Night Football
- Spread: Cowboys by 9.5
- Over/under: 40
- Moneyline: Cowboys -600, Titans +425
The Cowboys were considered double-digit favorites early in the week. massive number on a short week on the road, despite the decided advantage and the quality of the teams. The Titans may err on the side of caution with personnel, especially around rookie QB Mailk Willis.
Cowboys vs. Titans all-time series
The teams have met only 15 times all-time. The Cowboys hold an 8-7 edge. The Cowboys lost the 2018 meeting but have taken three of five overall going back 20 years to 2022.
Three trends to know
—51 percent of spread bettors think the number is way too high in the Cowboys favor and are taking the Titans to cover.
—64 percent of total bettors think the number is too low, given the Cowboys’ explosive offense and tendency to pile on points late in games like these.
—The Cowboys are 9-6 against the spread this season with 8 games going over. The Titans are 8-6 ATS with only half of their games going over.
Three things to watch
Titans’ run defense vs. the Cowboys’ running backs
The Titans are allowing on average 80.1 rushing yards per game. They are second-best in the league behind only the mighty 49ers. Dallas has leaned a lot on Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott, but this game figures to be tough sledding with the big bodies and scheming inside.
CeeDee Lamb and Dalton Schultz vs. the Titans secondary
Lamb works the slot often as the Cowboys’ top wide receiver and Schultz is a tough draw at tight end in the middle of the field. Tennessee will work to contain big plays from Dak Prescott but the intermediate passing game underneath should be favorable.
Henry or no Henry
The Titans will won’t stray from their run-heavy attack no matter the healthiest back, whether it’s a full load from Henry or some more from rookie Hassan Haskins. They need to keep taking pressure off and supporting the athletic Willis, operating with a limited passing game. The Titans will grind this out physically and dominate time of possession to have any shot at the upset.
Stat that matters
279.6. That’s how many average passing yards per game the Titans yield, second-worst in the NFL only ahead of the Vikings. This should prompt Prescott to put the ball up often to his red-hot receivers all over the field.
Cowboys vs. Titans prediction
The Cowboys need to come out passing with Prescott to build a lead and take the Titans out of their comfort zone. Once Dallas can flip the game to a negative game script, Willis will be overwhelmed in desperate comeback mode.
Cowboys 27, Titans 13
