Cowboys vs. Washington 2016 picks and predictions: Dallas a clear favorite in Thanksgiving game

The second game of Thanksgiving Day features an NFC East grudge match between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington. Both teams are riding hot streaks and appear in good shape to earn a playoff spot, although Washington (6-3-1) has a tougher road than the Cowboys (9-1).

These teams last met in Week 2, with Dallas escaping with the 27-23 victory. Dak Prescott was still something of an unknown quantity at the time, but he had a solid start against Washington, completing 22 of 30 passes for 292 yards and running in a touchdown. The Cowboys got the go-ahead score when Alfred Morris punched in a 4-yard touchdown, but this offense belongs to Ezekiel Elliott.

The No. 4 overall pick in the draft, Elliott is leading the league with 1,102 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and scoring 10 total touchdowns. He’s the total package, and he’s generating real MVP buzz this season. Prescott has also been great, relegating a healthy Tony Romo to the bench. The Cowboys look like the team to beat in the NFC.

Washington is no slouch either. The team destroyed the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, 42-24, and currently holds the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs. That said, Washington is still in third place in the NFC East, behind the Cowboys and New York Giants (whom they beat in Week 3). With rematches against the Giants and Philadelphia Eagles on deck, as well as dates with the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers, Kirk Cousins and company will have little margin for error.

The ESPN panel is all-in on the Cowboys, but a few experts are giving Washington a chance in a hostile environment. At CBS Sports, two of the eight writers are picking the road team.

It’s a similar story here at SB Nation — our panel is leaning toward the home team by a 7-2 margin.