Cowboys Playoff Hopes Fading as They Prepare for Chargers

The NFL regular season kicks off Week 12 with three Thanksgiving Day games of which one features an inter-conference showdown between the visiting Los Angeles Chargers and the host Dallas Cowboys. The current line has the game as a PICK with the over/under point total on 48.

Entering this game, Los Angeles on the season is 4-6 straight up and 5-4-1 against the spread. On the road, the Chargers are 2-3 SU and 3-1-1 ATS. Dallas on the season is 5-5 SU and ATS. At home, the Cowboys are 2-3 SU and ATS.

Dallas hosts Los Angeles in the Cowboys’ annual Thanksgiving Day game. Dallas has had the cloud of Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension hanging over them all season and even when he played the Cowboys were just 5-3. Since his suspension the Cowboys are 0-2.

The Chargers trail the Chiefs in the AFC West by two games and have won four of their past six overall, including a 54-24 Week 11 win against the Buffalo Bills. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Chargers running back Melvin Gordon rushed for 80 yards and one touchdown against the Bills. Wide receiver Keenan Allen caught 12 passes for 159 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

On the defense, the Chargers are allowing 19.6 points and nearly 349 yards per game, with 210 yards allowed per game through the year and 139 yards per game on the ground.

Dallas does not have the team it had last season as they have already lost 5 games this season after losing just three all of last season. However, the Cowboys could still make the playoffs but need to start by winning Thursday at home against the Chargers.

Dallas was embarrassed Sunday night by Philadelphia 37-9. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for just 145 yards and was intercepted three times by the Eagles.

Alfred Morris filling in for the suspended Elliott had 91 yards rushing on 17 carriers. Dez Bryant caught eight passed for 63 yards.

Defensively, the Cowboys are allowing 24.2 points and 331.5 yards per game including 216 yard through the air and 115.5 yards on the ground.

Los Angeles is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games played.

Dallas is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games played on Thursday.

Prediction: The Chargers will be too much fire power for the Cowboys. Lean toward the visitors here.