The Dallas Cowboys welcome the Las Vegas Raiders as their Thanksgiving Day guests, but the home side of the dinner table will be missing some legs. Amari Cooper (COVID-19) and CeeDee Lamb (concussion), the Cowboys’ top receivers, are not expected to play while running back Ezekiel Elliott is banged up. The NFL odds, however, still heavily favor Dallas.
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Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
| Las Vegas | +7½ (-120) | +260 | 51 (-110o) |
| Dallas | -7½ (Even) | -320 | 51 (-110u) |
Head-to-Head
Dallas prevailed in the last meeting 20-17 on Dec. 17, 2017, in Oakland. The Cowboys, a three-point favorite, kicked a field goal with 1 minute, 44 seconds left to make it three straight wins over the Raiders. Dallas led 10-0 at halftime as the total of 46½ was never seriously threatened. The first two wins in the streak came on Thanksgiving Day in 2009 and 2013.
Las Vegas Raiders
Next game: vs Washington (Dec. 5)
Last Game
Las Vegas failed as a two-point underdog in online NFL betting with a 32-13 loss to Cincinnati. The Raiders trimmed the lead to 16-13 with 11:42 remaining in the third quarter. It appeared under bettors would coast to victory, but they didn’t breathe easy until Las Vegas decided to run out the clock from its own 25-yard line with 1:04 to play after Cincinnati kicked a field goal for the final points.
Injury Report
Second-year guard John Simpson left the Cincinnati game after injuring his ribs. Simpson has started all 10 games this season.
Dallas Cowboys
Next game: at New Orleans (Dec. 2)
Last Game
Dallas couldn’t get its offense going in a 19-9 loss at Kansas City, as predicted here. The Cowboys, 2½-point underdogs in the Las Vegas odds, were only covering for the first 4:59 before the Chiefs made it 6-0. The total of 56 could not be seen with a telescope, although it seemed well within reach after Kansas City made it 16-3 with 14:08 left in the first half.
Injury Report
Lamb is questionable to play. The wide receiver reportedly suffered a concussion and did not play in the second half against Kansas City. Dallas’ receiving corps was already short-handed without Cooper, who will miss his second straight game with COVID-19 because he is an unvaccinated player. Cooper would have faced his former team for the first time since being acquired by the Cowboys in 2018. Elliott continues to play through a knee injury and added an ankle ailment to his woes during the Kansas City game. The running back said he is hopeful to play Thursday.
Dallas Cowboys’ receiver CeeDee Lamb did not play in the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs after a head injury. https://t.co/YN3ycdy2EG
— Fort Worth Star-Telegram (@startelegram) November 22, 2021
Betting on the Game
With a quick turnaround for the teams, bettors and oddsmakers alike, there will be an air of uncertainty surrounding the line. The opening number seems to indicate that Dallas is at full strength, but that might be more of a reflection on Las Vegas’ woes. The Raiders’ offense has totaled 43 points during a three-game slide, all since wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was waived. The Cowboys are 8-2 against the spread, but 1-2 in their last three. Las Vegas is 5-5 ATS, failing in its last three. Dallas is 31-21-1 on Thanksgiving Day. That isn’t that strong of a record seeing as the built-in advantage of annually hosting the game seems like it should mean more.
The Raiders are 3-4 on the fourth Thursday in November. Dallas has been tough at home, going 5-1 with the inexplicable loss to Denver. NFL predictions can be hard enough, but the injury situation makes this one that much more difficult. Dallas receivers Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson dropped two passes apiece against Kansas City and must be more sure-handed for the Cowboys to get through this one. The under is 4-0 in Dallas’ last four. The Cowboys are 5-0 in their last five ATS as a favorite between 3½ and 10 points, but those games came under different conditions.
Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 21, Las Vegas Raiders 17
If your plans include staying at home all day enjoying the best league in the world, don’t forget that we we also have NFL Odds for the Bears vs Lions & Bills vs Saints games you that can include in your parlays or NFL Point Spreads wagers.
