NFL Thanksgiving: Raiders Visit Cowboys

Can Matt McGloin lead the Oakland Raiders past the Dallas Cowboys this Thanksgiving?

In the second game of Thursday’s Thanksgiving NFL triple-header, the Oakland Raiders travel to Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys in a game that is essentially a must-win for both teams.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Despite uncertainty at the quarterback position, Oakland (4-7, 1-4 road) remains on the edge of the postseason race, thanks mostly to the AFC seemingly intent on beating itself up this season. The Raiders are one of nine teams separated by a solitary game that continue to bid for what will effectively be one wild card berth come the end of December. A loss on Thursday would effectively render the team out of that race.

Dallas (6-5, 4-1 home) may be sitting prettier than the Raiders right now but the Cowboys will be well aware that failing to win the NFC East title this season would likely mean missing out on the playoffs. With just a tie-breaker advantage separating the Cowboys from the Philadelphia Eagles in the division, a third Thanksgiving loss in four years could prove very costly.

Matt McGloin will once again start under center for the Raiders, leaving his former Big Ten compatriot Terrelle Pryor on the sidelines to undertake backup duties. In two starts for the Raiders, McGloin has led the team to its only road win of the season – a 28-23 victory over the Houston Texans – and a narrow defeat to the Tennessee Titans last week, looking sharp as he’s gone along. A win against the Cowboys would be an early career highlight for the undrafted quarterback.

The Raiders will be happy to see running back Darren McFadden back on the field. McFadden has been missing since Week 9’s game against the Eagles thanks to a hamstring injury. With Rashad Jennings and McFadden on the field, the Raiders could have an effect accompaniment for McGloin and the rest of the offense.

Dallas remains beaten up on defense. Morris Claiborne (hamstring), Justin Durant (hamstring) and Sean Lee (hamstring) are all out but DeMarcus Ware is expected to play after being listed as probable with a thigh complaint. Receivers Dez Bryant (back) and Miles Austin (hamstring) are also listed as probable and expected to play for the Dallas offense.

The Cowboys are coming off a huge divisional win over the New York Giants last weekend and will be hoping momentum continues to roll. Jason Garrett and Co. will also look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the AFC West, having already dropped games to the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos.

The Raiders met the Cowboys on Thanksgiving four years ago, the last meeting between the two sides. The Cowboys took that game by a 24-7 final score.

The Raiders are 3-3 all-time in Thanksgiving games, although the team is 0-2 since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

The Cowboys are 28-15-1 all-time in Thanksgiving games but have lost two of the last three played on the holiday, including last year’s game against the Washington Redskins. Since the NFL amended the Thanksgiving schedule to include three games in 2006, Dallas is 5-2.

Oakland Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys odds for 28/11/2013

The Raiders (+375) opened as an underdog against the Cowboys (-460) on the moneyline, but betting action has seen the difference between the two sides slip somewhat.

Oakland is 6-4-0 all-time against Dallas. The Cowboys’ win on Thanksgiving 2009 snapped a three-game Raiders winning streak in the series.

The spread opened at 8 but has slipped to 7.5 with most sportsbooks.

Both Oakland (7-4-0 ATS) and Dallas (8-3-0 ATS) have fared well against the spread this season. Dallas is 4-1-0 ATS at home while Oakland is 4-1-0 ATS on the road, making this a tricky pick. History favors America’s Team though; Dallas is 4-2-0 ATS in its last six games against Oakland.

The over/under opened at 46.5 and has risen to 47.5.

Dallas (6-5-0) has marginally favored the over this season while Oakland (4-6-1) has favored the under. The total has gone over in six of Dallas’ last nine games at home and four of Oakland’s last six on the road, making it the smart bet on Thursday afternoon.

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