The Cowboys enter not knowing their playoff seeding, and there’s inherit risk taking nearly any Week 18 game given it’s impossible to know whether coaches will decide to rest starters late given outcomes of other contests. However, Dallas has been consistently effective offensively under Dak Prescott, while Washington is going with Sam Howell -- its third quarterback to start a game this season -- against an aggressive and ferocious Dan Quinn defense. Given the Cowboys have a significant advantage in the trenches, this could get ugly quick. So with the line ticking back down ahead of kickoff, it's worth a play on the 'Boys at a touchdown.

Commanders rookie Jahan Dotson, the first-round pick out of Penn State, has scored in three of his past four games while racking up 31 targets. He's a big part of Washington's future, so he should continue being featured Sunday in the season finale. Rookie QB Sam Howell likes to attack deep; Dotson is the Commanders' deep threat. With Washington likely playing from behind, look for Dotson to post at least 40 receiving yards.

This game means nothing for the Commanders, who have decided to turn to Sam Howell at quarterback. They will be shorthanded at running back with Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) and Antonio Gibson (foot) out. That should leave a heavy workload for Williams, who had 48 yards on just five carries against the Cowboys in Week 4. Volume alone could carry him to the over.

It's hard to believe rookie Sam Howell, who impressed in the preseason, will be significantly worse than Carson Wentz. Terry McLaurin and other Commanders pushed for Howell to get this opportunity, so I expect a fully motivated effort even though Washington is out of postseason contention. "He makes some throws where the ball comes off his arm and it's like, 'wow, that's a nice ball he threw,'" McLaurin told reporters. "He has a real good touch and I think he has a quiet confidence about him. I'm excited to see how he is in a game atmosphere." With the Commanders still fielding a solid defense and Dallas possibly resting starters in the second half (if Philly is blowing out the Giants), I'll grab the touchdown at -120.

Ron Rivera clearly doesn't have a clue as early today he announced Taylor Heinicke would start at QB and rookie Sam Howell would come in eventually, but now Howell will start. What a clown show that organization is. Rivera's a goner. My only worry here is the Cowboys getting up, say, 14, and then looking at the scoreboard and seeing Philadelphia beating the Giants by 20. If that's the case, Dallas could pull all its starters. Guess we risk it.

This line has floated up with some news. The Cowboys can climb from the NFC's fifth seed to second -- maybe even first -- with a win. Team owner Jerry Jones vows the starters will get their uniforms dirty. In Washington, QB Carson Wentz is back on the bench, joining previously starter Taylor Heinicke, and rookie Sam Howell will get an audition of sorts. The Commanders have not won in four weeks, never scoring more than 20. It's a rivalry game, and the incentive sits on the visitors' side.

The Cowboys caught a break when the Saints beat the Eagles, leaving the door open for Dallas to win the division if they win this game and the Giants beat Philly. With the team giving maximum effort, I think this line is far too low. The Commanders are trying to rally back from being eliminated last week, the possibility of which came as a surprise to their coach Ron Rivera. Between that and the disastrous decision to turn back to Carson Wentz, it's going to be hard for the team to rebound and fully focus on winning this game. Whoever is at QB for Washington -- and we may get lucky and see Sam Howell -- is going to have a long day against this Dallas defense.