The Bills are in a brutal stretch of their schedule. The NFL did them no favors with the Eagles, Chiefs, and Cowboys in consecutive games even with a bye week between the first two.
The Cowboys are probably the best opponent of all three, but the Bills are two-point favorites at home. The Bills have a chance to halt the surging Cowboys and Dak Prescott, who is currently the MVP favorite.
The Cowboys handled the Eagles last week, 33 to 13. There seems to be a bug floating around the locker room this week. Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore missed practice on Thursday due to an illness, but they have ample time to recover.
Rico Dowdle was a limited participant on Thursday due to an ankle injury. Johnathan Hankins and Malik Hooker missed both practices this week, and their status is in jeopardy if they cannot log a limited practice.
The Bills stole a victory over the Chiefs last week thanks to Kadarius Toney lining up offside. There are two injuries for the Bills' secondary. Micah Hyde has not practiced this week because of a neck injury, and Taron Johnson has logged two limited practices with an ankle injury.
Hyde's status for Sunday is up in the air. Dalton Kincaid was a limited participant on Thursday with a shoulder injury. Dawson Knox returned to action last week, so there is some depth in the position if Kincaid misses.
NFL Week 15 Game Preview: Cowboys vs. Bills
Here are the odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Opening line: Bills -4
- Current line: Bills -2
- Total: 50.5
Will Josh Allen protect the ball?
Allen and his turnover issues were the same concern raised in last week's article. He threw one interception in the game, and the Chiefs scored their first touchdown off that turnover. The turnover differential is everything in the league because you need the ball to score points. The Cowboys have a +10 turnover differential, with 21 takeaways. Prescott is doing a fantastic job limiting turnovers, but Allen is another story.
The Bills have a +2 turnover differential because Allen has thrown 14 interceptions this season. Hyde may not play, and Taron Johnson is battling an ankle injury that could make him less productive. The Bills cannot give the ball to the Cowboys and expect to win this game. Allen must protect the football, or the league's best offense (32.4 points per game) will make them pay.
Is the Cowboy's defense penetrable?
The Cowboy's defensive unit has been spectacular this season. Even after losing Trevon Diggs in the second week of the season, the Cowboys have held teams to 17.9 points per game. They allow the second-fewest total yards (308.7) and passing yards (183.9) per game. The one thing the Bills have going for them is home-field advantage. The Cowboys' two losses came on the road against the Eagles and the 49ers. They got beat on the ground in both of those games. The Bills need to run the ball effectively.
The Bills are averaging 153.3 rushing yards per game in their last four games. James Cook has been effective but has crushed as a pass-catcher. He has 11 receptions for 140 yards in his last two games. Allen is a big reason the rushing total has been trending up. He had 10 rush attempts against the Chiefs and is running the ball more than he did at the beginning of the season. It should be a close game if the spread is any indication, and the home team should have the advantage.
The pick: Bills -2
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