Week 12 NFC East predictions: Philadelphia stays hot through the holidays
The Cowboys enjoy a Thanksgiving feast against the Commanders while Philadelphia faces tougher fare with the Buffalo Bills.
Washington Commanders (4-7) at Dallas Cowboys (7-3):
There’s something about a Thanksgiving Day game between two NFC East rivals that feels right. The Cowboys have been part of the event since 1966, and it will be the 11th time they’ve played the Commanders on Thanksgiving. Dallas is 32-22-1 in Thanksgiving games with an 8-2 record against Washington.
Dallas should give thanks to the schedule makers. The Cowboys haven’t faced a team with a winning record since a Week 9 loss to Philadelphia. On paper, Washington is a tougher matchup than New York and Carolina, but after a 31-19 home loss to the Giants, the Commanders could be playing for a draft pick.
Brian Robinson Jr. continues to improve with 131 total yards last week, but sixth-round rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. had his best game of the year averaging 7.2 yards per carry for 43 yards. With Washington's season all but over, Rodriguez should get more snaps.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has been hotter than grandma’s gravy with 13 touchdowns in his last four games, and he’ll surely carve up Washington’s secondary for the team’s ninth win in the holiday series.
PREDICTION: Cowboys 28-17
New England Patriots (2-8) at New York Giants (3-8):
No Daniel Jones. No Darren Waller. No problem. An undermanned Giants team, fresh off their Washington victory, could have something for a reeling New England team. The Pats are coming off a bye, but is this the week they finally tell quarterback Mac Jones to give it a rest?
Bailey Zappe replaced Jones in last week’s game after throwing his 10th interception and taking five sacks in the loss to the Colts. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson had a season-high 20 carries for 88 yards in the game and remains the Patriots' primary offensive threat.
The same can be said for Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who has averaged 91 yards rushing over his last four games and had two receiving scores against the Commanders on Sunday.
Wide receiver Darius Slayton may be unavailable after leaving last week’s game with an arm injury. Look for Patriots coach Bill Belichick to take advantage of New York’s depleted roster and get the team’s third win at MetLife Stadium.
PREDICTION: Patriots 14-10
Buffalo Bills (6-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)
Was former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey the problem or were the New York Jets the remedy for what ailed Buffalo? Bills fans hope it’s the former as the team prepares to face the team with the NFL’s best record.
Even with a 32-6 victory over New York, Buffalo knows it has work to do. It has lost three of its last five games and while quarterback Josh Allen leads the league with 22 touchdowns, he’s tied with Washington’s Sam Howell for most interceptions (12).
The Bills will have to throw against a team that held Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to 177 yards on Monday night. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for even fewer yards (150) than Mahomes but seems hell-bent on getting his team another No. 1 seed.
Of course, with a short week and a visit from the 49ers on deck, this matchup has all the markings of a “trap game” for Philadelphia. The team will wear the Kelly Green uniforms for the second time. Philadelphia already beat Miami 31-17 wearing the popular pigment and it will do the same against Buffalo on Sunday.
PREDICTION: Eagles 28-24
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