Cowboys (10-4) at Dolphins (10-4)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: Fox
Spread (BetMGM):
Dolphins by 1.5
Cowboys’ keys to victory: Despite a down week, Dallas needs to stick to the things that have gotten it to a 10-4 record. MVP candidate QB Dak Prescott must limit his turnovers and feed WR CeeDee Lamb, who is on the way to his best season since entering the league in 2020. On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys need to keep Miami’s speed threats from getting behind the secondary. A big factor will be the status of WR Tyreek Hill, who sat out last week’s game with an ankle injury.
Dolphins’ keys to victory: The Dolphins need to focus on getting healthy this week. A number of key players, including Hill, CB Xavien Howard, RG Robert Hunt and S Jevon Holland, missed last weekend’s game. Once the Christmas Eve game kicks off, the Dolphins will want to commit to their strong running game and take shots downfield when available. There’s no reason for QB Tua Tagovailoa to force plays when all of Miami’s weapons are on the field. Defensively, CB Jalen Ramsey should shadow Lamb this weekebd, as he did with Jets WR Garrett Wilson last week.
Matchup to watch: Dolphins’ Ramsey vs. Cowboys’ Lamb. Lamb looks like one of the five best wideouts in the league. Since Ramsey has returned from injury, he has been shutting down opposing wide receivers and baiting quarterbacks into making mistakes.
Who wins? The Dolphins have yet to do it this season, but they’ll finally win their first game against a winning opponent, using their home-field advantage.
Dolphins, 31-28