This weekend, the Washington Football Team and Dallas Cowboys, two long-time rivals in search of consistent quarterbacks, will face off in a Week 7 showdown.
The upcoming Sunday game (1 p.m., Fox) is highly anticipated by fans, considering the notorious rivalry between Washington and Dallas, which is renowned in the world of sports.
In 2020, however, both teams have faced significant challenges. Consequently, what is typically regarded as one of the NFL’s most anticipated games is now a less appealing option for many across the country.
To be fair, the NFC East as a whole has been a complete catastrophe. The division’s combined record stands at a woeful 5-18-1. Surprisingly, the Cowboys (2-4) currently hold the top spot, while WFT (1-5) finds itself languishing at the bottom of the standings.
It is evident that Washington has some good news: They are still in the running and only need one more win to have a high chance of sharing first place.
What can Virginia sports betting enthusiasts anticipate for Sunday’s game? The latest odds suggest a closely contested match at FedExField. Additionally, both teams’ quarterbacks, Kyle Allen from Washington and Andy Dalton from Dallas, will likely face intense scrutiny.
WFT vs. Dallas Cowboys total and odds
The WAS vs. DAL matchup in NFL Week 7 is not very popular among bettors compared to other higher profile games.
The Dallas team initially started as 3-point favorites, but by Thursday, the game had transformed into a nearly even matchup.
The early-season struggles of the Dallas Cowboys, including their uninspiring 38-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football, are evidently being disregarded by their supporters in Dallas.
In 2020, the Cowboys have failed to cover the spread in all six of their games. On the other hand, Washington has a record of 3-3, with their most recent game against the New York Giants resulting in a close 20-19 defeat where they managed to cover as 2-point underdogs despite making several mistakes.
If you plan on placing a bet on this game, ensure that you explore various options to find the most favorable spread and moneyline. The moneyline for each team may vary, ranging from +100 to -115, depending on the bookmaker.
Regarding the overall score, it seems that oddsmakers may have underestimated the doubt bettors had towards these two teams. Initially, the total score opened at just below 50, specifically 49 in most sportsbooks. However, as of Thursday, it had significantly decreased to 46.
Washington vs. Dallas Cowboys breakdown
There are other teams besides Washington that are facing quarterback troubles.
The city of Dallas is still in shock following the injury Dak Prescott sustained in Week 5, which forced him out of the game. The talented quarterback, who had earned a Pro Bowl spot, underwent surgery to address a compound fracture and dislocated his right ankle, effectively ending his season.
Andy Dalton was given an opportunity due to Prescott’s injury. The former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback had a mixed performance in Week 6, completing 34 out of 54 passes for 266 yards and throwing 2 interceptions.
Despite Washington’s struggles this season, its defense has performed admirably. The team boasts impressive statistics, allowing a mere 207 passing yards per game (second-best in the NFL) and a total of just 337 yards per game overall (sixth-best in the NFL).
Meanwhile, the WFT offense will seek progress from quarterback Kyle Allen as he steps into his first complete game after taking over from Dwayne Haskins. Allen demonstrated strong accuracy, completing 73.8% of his passes (31-for-42), while also amassing 280 yards with 2 touchdowns and one interception.
Allen’s strong showing in Week 6 may not be enough to maintain his lead in Week 7, as the Washington running backs have a favorable opportunity. This is due to the weak Dallas defense, which currently ranks second-worst in the NFL, allowing an average of 173.3 rushing yards per game. It is anticipated that Washington’s running backs, namely Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic, will be relied upon heavily to handle the majority of the rushing duties.
Other Week 7 games of note to Virginia
Week 7 presents an enticing lineup for Virginia football fans who also support their cherished NFL teams.
Carolina Panthers (+7.5) at New Orleans Saints
The Chicago Bears ended the Carolina Panthers’ three-game winning streak last week. This Sunday (1 p.m., Fox), the Panthers (3-3) will face another tough challenge as they travel to Louisiana to take on the New Orleans Saints (3-2), who are currently on a two-game winning streak.
Drew Brees of the Saints continues to be a highly efficient quarterback, ranking within the top 10. Furthermore, Alvin Kamara holds the title of New Orleans’ leading rusher with 281 yards, as well as the top receiver with 395 yards. With a well-deserved rest during the bye week, the Saints enter their upcoming game against Carolina as strong favorites with a 7.5-point advantage. The total score prediction remains unchanged at 51.
The New Orleans Saints have demonstrated their ability to produce high-scoring games, as evidenced by their flawless 5-0 record in surpassing the point total this season. Nevertheless, they will encounter a formidable challenge in the Carolina Panthers’ defense, which currently holds the impressive 6th rank in the NFL for allowing the fewest passing yards per game (218.8).
Furthermore, the New Orleans Saints have encountered difficulties in containing opposing offenses. This could potentially benefit Carolina Panthers’ quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, who experienced his least impressive performance of the year last week, completing 16 out of 29 passes for 216 yards with 2 interceptions. This came after an initially praiseworthy start to the 2020 season for Bridgewater.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans (-1.5)
The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-0) will be on the road in Week 7 to face the Tennessee Titans (5-0) in an exciting matchup. This highly anticipated game, scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS, marks only the fifth time in NFL history that two unbeaten teams have clashed in Week 7 or beyond.
Pittsburgh initially started as the favored team with a 1.5-point advantage. However, despite receiving a larger number of bets, Tennessee is attracting significantly higher amounts of money in midweek betting. This occurrence typically indicates the involvement of knowledgeable bettors, also known as sharp money. As a result, Pittsburgh’s status has shifted, and they are now considered underdogs, with odds ranging from 1 to 1.5 points at most sportsbooks.
The collaboration between Titans’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry has been highly successful this season. As a result, Tennessee has achieved a remarkable feat of scoring 42 points in their last two games, while also managing to score at least 31 points in their previous four games. In a similar vein, Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger and RB James Conner have spearheaded the Pittsburgh offense, enabling them to achieve back-to-back 38-point games.
Although both teams have been scoring heavily in recent games, the total for Sunday’s game has decreased from an initial 52.5 to 50.5 by Thursday. Surprisingly, over 90% of the betting money has been placed on the under.
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