NFL Week 12: Trends which will decide each game

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 22: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to break a tackle from Kris Boyd #29 of the Minnesota Vikings during their game at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Washington Football Team (3-7) at Dallas Cowboys (3-7), 4:30 pm

Washington: Back in Week 7 at Washington, Ron Rivera’s club humbled the struggling Cowboys, 25-3. The home team finished with six sacks, three of those at the expense of Andy Dalton – who’s back after being knocked out of action in that contest and then missing two games.

But the bigger number in the team’s 22-point victory was 208, as in the number of rushing yards Rivera’ team managed against the Cowboys that day – a season best for his club. Of course, if history is any indication, it could be a rough outing for the Washington Football Team.

They will be facing Dallas on Turkey Day for the 10th time and the franchise owns a 1-8 record in the nine previous encounters.

Cowboys: Mike McCarthy’s team stunned the Vikings in Minnesota and snapped a four-game losing streak in the process. The Cowboys ran for a season-high 180 yards – 103 yards by Ezekiel Elliott – and put 31 points on the board against the Purple Gang after scoring a combined 41 points during the team’s aforementioned skid.

As far as tradition, the franchise is 31-20-1 lifetime on Thanksgiving but have lost six of their last 10 contests on Turkey Day dating back to 2010. And a year ago, the club was humbled by the Buffalo Bills, 26-15. The Cowboys – who have surrendered a league-high 318 points this year – have not been swept in this longtime NFC East rivalry since 2012.

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