The Dallas Cowboys came up just short of starting their season with a 1-0 record and a leg up in the NFC East, but instead they fell to the New York Giants. Now they have to avoid an 0-2 hole, and against a second consecutive divisional rival at that. Dallas will face Washington on Sunday, and the one thing going for them is the fact that Week 1 didn't go as planned for Washington, either.
Cowboys vs. Washington, NFL picks and predictions 2016: Experts split on NFC East matchup
Both the Cowboys and Washington started the season 0-1, but one will likely have a win after Sunday. Experts can’t agree on which one, though.
Up against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington came out looking flat on both sides of the football. Ben Roethlisberger was rarely harassed, throwing for 300 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. DeAngelo Williams got his season started with a bang while rushing for 143 yards on Washington, who also allowed Antonio Brown to catch eight passes for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
But more important, Kirk Cousins didn't look like the same guy who impressed everyone a season ago. He threw a pair of interceptions and no touchdowns while Washington was stagnant on offense.
Dallas, on the other hand, got 227 yards out of quarterback Dak Prescott, though he didn't throw for a touchdown or an interception. The Cowboys rushed for 101 yards as a team, but rookie Ezekiel Elliott had just 2.5 yards per carry on the day.
Both teams disappointed in their own ways in Week 1, and the experts can’t agree on which one can turn things around on Sunday. Over at CBS Sports, they aren’t particularly feeling the Cowboys. Of their eight experts, five went with Washington at home. At ESPN, five of the seven experts who had submitted their picks think Washington will win as well.
Here at SB Nation, folks are feeling a bit better about the Cowboys:
| Game | RVB | Stephen White | Thomas George | Jeanna Thomas | Adam Stites | Tyler Tynes | Louis Bien | Joel Thorman | Fooch | OddsShark computer |
| DAL vs WAS | DAL | WAS | WAS | DAL | DAL | DAL | DAL | DAL | WAS | WAS |
Of the nine experts picking, only three — plus the OddsShark computer — went with Washington. That leaves six picking the Cowboys. Sunday’s game is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on FOX and will be available online via FOX Sports GO.
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