Zeke’s Return Triggers a Betting Surge

Week 16 will see the long-awaited return of Ezekiel Elliott and for the Cowboys – as well as fantasy owners – it couldn’t have come at a better time. Dallas is in a nasty dogfight for an NFC playoff spot and with the Seahawks scratching and clawing for the same scraps as the Boys, the stakes for Sunday’s game couldn’t be much higher.  

SHARK BITES
  • The Cowboys are 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games as favorite.
  • The Seahawks are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against the Cowboys.
  • The Cowboys are 7-2 SU and 6-2-1 ATS in their 9 games with Sean Lee in the lineup.

Betting odds opened the Cowboys as 2.5-point favorites but that line was quickly adjusted up to 4.5 when a rush of money came in on Dallas and a few days later it’s still one-way traffic. That point has to be taken with a large grain of salt as the public loves to pump money into Dallas but I’ve kicked the tires on this one and two big factors make me agree with the consensus.

Factor No. 1? Zeke is back. The Cowboys struggled mightily in the first few games without their bell-cow back but in their last three (all wins), they’ve averaged around 140 rushing yards per game and they’ll be facing a banged-up Seahawks defense Sunday that’s been gashed and slashed to the tune of 400 total rushing yards the last two weeks. I can only imagine what Elliott is going to do to them.

The second factor is that Sean Lee is healthy. It’s difficult to argue that any defensive player is more important to a team’s success than this guy is. The star middle linebacker missed time in October and November and when he did, his team went 1-4 straight up and against the spread. Not good. When he returned against the Giants two weeks ago, Lee compiled 18 tackles, picked off a pass and the Cowboys won 30-10.

Dallas has been really good as a favorite of late and I like them in this spot. The Cowboys are a different team when Tyron Smith and Sean Lee are on the field and with Zeke back, they’re a downright impossible fade.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Sportsbooks, including Sportsbook, had set the Dallas Cowboys as 2.5-point favorites on the Sportsbook line for this contest. The total was hovering around 47 earlier in the week (check for the current OVER/UNDER lines at Sportsbook).

OddsShark computer NFL score prediction models picked a possible 28-16 win for the Cowboys on Sunday. That score may change during the week, if injury or weather factors alter the numbers, so check the NFL picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.

Seattle Seahawks vs Dallas Cowboys Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Dallas Cowboys are 8-6 so far on the season, and 7-6-1 vs the point spread. The Seattle Seahawks, meanwhile, are 8-6 and 5-8-1 ATS. Those OVER/UNDER betting have seen Dallas go 6-8 and Seattle go 6-8 on the totals. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Dallas vs Seattle injuries news.

The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Cowboys at No. 14 and the Seahawks at No. 12 heading into this contest.

Statistical Matchup

Offensively, the game matches up the Dallas Cowboys' No. 11-ranked offense (24 PPG) against a Seattle Seahawks defense that ranks No. 12 at 21 PPG. The Cowboys passing attack has averaged 201.07 yards per game, less than the Seahawks give up through the air (217.86 YPG on average).

Defensively, the Seahawks feature the league's No. 6-rated road run defense, allowing 100 yards per game. The Cowboys, meanwhile, rank No. 5 in rushing offense at home.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

Seattle didn't make much of a game of it last time out, losing to the Rams as Los Angeles blasted them 42-7 in Week 15 action.

The Cowboys grabbed a Week 15 victory over the Raiders in their last game, winning 20-17 at Oakland Alameda Coliseum.

Betting Trends
  • Seattle is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games
  • Seattle is 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
  • Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games on the road
  • Dallas is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
  • Dallas is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games
  • Dallas is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Seattle home to Arizona, Sunday, December 31
Dallas at Philadelphia, Sunday, December 31

The Cowboys are 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games as favorite.home The Seahawks are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against the Cowboys.away The Cowboys are 7-2 SU and 6-2-1 ATS in their 9 games with Sean Lee in the lineup.home
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