With five games remaining in the 2023-24 regular NFL season, the playoff race is heating up, especially for the Seattle Seahawks. On Thursday, November 30, the Seahawks will travel to AT&T Stadium to face the Dallas Cowboys, currently the 5th seed in the NFC, while the visiting Seattle is 7th seed and barely holding on to the last wild card spot.
Sportsbooks with free bets offers see the Cowboys as a 9-point favorite, signaling it's not going to be an easy task for Seattle to stay in the playoff picture. Let’s break down the odds for this Thursday Night Football matchup and see if Geno Smith can outscore Dak Prescott.
The Seahawks Face a Big Test
On paper, things appear stable for the Seahawks. They hold a 6-5 record and currently have a wild card spot for the playoffs. However, they have lost three out of their last four games, and the worrying fact is that two of those losses were blowouts.
Last week's Thanksgiving performance against the 49ers was not an encouraging sign. The Seahawks lost that game 31-13, and quarterback Geno Smith is showing signs of regression compared to last season. Smith averages 234.9 passing yards per game and has 12 touchdowns to 8 interceptions, and his performance declined in the previous two weeks, with a single TD and an interception in both losses.
The big problem is that Geno is not lacking targets downfield, with wide receivers Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba frequently being open, but Smith is unable to distribute the ball accurately. The good news is that the running game is solid, in large part due to Kenneth Walker and his 6 touchdowns, averaging 61.3 yards per game.
The Seahawks score 20.8 points per game, but allow 22.6 points per. The big plus for the defense is that they have kept the turnover margin on the plus side with 15 takeaways compared to their offense's 13 turnovers.
The Cowboys Lead the NFL in Scoring
It's becoming obvious, the Cowboys will not be able to triumph in the NFC East, especially with the tough schedule coming up. However, Dallas is guaranteed a playoff appearance after winning their last 5 out of 6 games. The Cowboys destroyed the Commanders on Thanksgiving, a game in which both the offense and defense scored touchdowns.
Quarterback Dak Prescot avengers 266.8 yards per game, and has managed to control his tendency to throw interceptions, with only 6 giveaways so far, compared to 23 touchdowns. Prescott is playing at a high level, and that’s reflected in the 70% completion rate. Dallas scores 31.5 points per game, and their defense concedes 16.8 per game, ranking 4th in the league. The Dallas defense has a feel for the ball, with 22 takeaways on the season.
Betting Prediction
This TNF matchup promises to be an exciting show, taking into account that the Seahawks are vying for a wildcard spot, while the Cowboys are eager to continue the winning streak. Top betting appsoffer -425 odds on a Dallas moneyline bet and +320 odds for the Seahawks. The 9-point spread receives -108 odds on Dallas to cover and a -112 betting line on the underdog Seattle. The total is set at 47 points with -108 odds for the Over and -112 odds for the Under bet.
The Cowboys rank as a top 5 team in most offensive and defense categories, while the Seahawks are in the lower third of the league. It’s logical to expect a Dallas victory, and the Over is also a good prospect. The only uncertainty is whether the Cowboys will cover their spread.
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