In the blink of an eye, the Dallas Cowboys (6-5 SU and ATS) have risen to the top of the NFC East. But they can’t stop now. A win this Thursday over the New Orleans Saints (10-1 SU, 9-2 ATS) would do wonders for Big D’s playoff hopes. Kick-off is at 8:20 PM ET on FOX; the Cowboys opened as 7.5-point home dogs, with the total pending at press time.
The Saints are already on the verge of clinching the NFC South, and they’ve covered nine straight games after getting off to a slow start. Nobody has been better poised to take advantage of the league’s new offense-friendly rules; New Orleans have one of the very best attacks in the NFL, more than making up for their weaknesses on defense.
One thing the Saints’ defense can do well: stuff the run. That’s bad news for the Cowboys, who rely heavily on RB Ezekiel Elliott (4.9 yards per carry) behind an offensive line that’s been compromised by multiple injuries. Dallas hope to have LT Tyron Taylor back in action this week after he sat out Thanksgiving Day with neck and elbow issues, despite being listed as active for Week 12.
