Cowboys vs Seahawks Prediction: ‘Hawks have a tough assignment at AT&T

Two major players in the NFC picture this season clash at AT&T in the very early hours of Friday morning, UK-time (01.15).

It's Thursday Night Football in the US, and with both occupying second-spot in their respective Divisions, interest is sky-high.

The core match markets are thus; kindly remembering that all lines and prices can fluctuate between now and game time.

Money line; Dallas Cowboys 2/9, Seattle Seahawks 17/5

Spread (handicap); Dallas -8.5 @ 10/11, Seattle +8.5 @ 10/11

Total Points; Under 46.5 @ Evens; Over 46.5 @ 5/6

A quick glance at the outrights for Super Bowl LVIII will give you a notion as to how the traders imagine this one could pan out. It's Dallas at 9/1, sixth in the market preferences at the moment, while you can have 100/1 about Pete Carroll's Seahawks.

Cards on the table - and regular readers will know I've made this assertion before. Every time I tip up Dallas to do something outrageous like win, they snatch defeat from the jaws of likely victory. I'm a terrible jinx. But - no fool like an old fool - I'm tipping 'em up here because (ludicrous statement alert), I just can't see anything other than a comfortable win for these Cowboys.

Just had ten minutes in a darkened room, so we're able to recommence. The 8-3 Cowboys trail only the 10-1 Eagles in the NFC East, while the 6-5 Seahawks chase the 8-3 'niners in the West. Dallas are on a win streak at AT&T, while Seattle have lost their last couple, including a recent thumping against SF.

Cowboys' linebacker Micah Parsons will have Seahawks' QB Geno Smith firmly in his sights, the 'Hawks having allowed six sacks on Thanksgiving. Smith will surely get little respite here and it's a tough-looking assignment for the visitors in my view.

Cowboys -8.5 @ 10/11

Dallas rank top-five in both offensive and defensive excellence so far this term, in total yards and yards allowed. Seattle are well down those charts on both sides of the ball. Home field is a telling factor, with the Cowboys looking to extend that impressive run (13 I believe), but I'd still fancy them, less strongly admittedly, if this was happening at Lumen Field (formerly CenturyLink).

Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb is among the season's leading receivers and they boast among their number the top interception king too - cornerback DaRon Bland. QB Dak Prescott's 70% completion percentage is right up there with the very best; so that 9/1 about lifting the Lombardi in Nevada is in my view fully justified.

1st half handicap - Cowboys -5.5 @ 10/11

I'll be very disappointed if Dallas cannot turn at the half at least 6 points to the good; if I was handicapping the game I'd be closer to around 8.5. Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III is viewed as a doubt, while QB Smith himself is playing on with triceps issues. Wide receiver Dee Eskridge (ribs) and guard Phil Haynes (toe) did not practice on Tuesday. I've no news of major Dallas doubts.

The Cowboys tend to win by around 20 points at home, and if that stat is maintained of course we're in clover. Seattle are better defensively than that - and good to see veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner still doing the business in his second spell with them.

He was deservedly co-opted into Seattle's fabled 'Legion of Boom' when the backfield superstars allowed the LBs in, back in their Super Bowl glory days of nearly a decade ago. He might well be a busy fella in the early hours of Friday.

I really am extremely hopeful that we can land our bets in the opening contest of NFL Week 13. Cracking contest in prospect.

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