Although columnists are now warning everyone that Sunday’s game will not be a gimme (shock), nobody has predicted that the Cowboys will lose to the Redskins.

At ESPN, every commentator has predicted that the Cowboys will win. Moreover,  the majority of players in Pigskin Pick’em think that Dallas will cover the 6.5-point spread.

Here’s a look at other predictions:

Dallas Morning News Staff (Average): Dallas 29, Washington 14

It isn’t every week that nobody with the DMN picks the opposing team. All eight columnists/reporters predicted a Dallas win, with the average of the predictions giving the Cowboys a 29-14 win. The big optimist: Gerry Fraley, who noted,

After the failed swinging gate in Monday’s loss to the New York Giants, Redskins’ bag of tricks is empty.

AccuScore: Dallas 27, Washington 21

Dallas won 67% of AccuScore’s 10,001 simulations by an average score of 26.5 to 20.5.

Dallas impressively beat the Saints and they have better than a 60 percent chance of winning another December game in Washington. Tony Romo has a QB rating of 94 with an average of 1.5 TD passes to just 0.6 INTs. If Romo has 2+ TDs and no more than 1 INT the Cowboys have a 74 percent chance to win by an average of 8 points. If Romo has 1+ INTs and the Cowboys hold Marion Barber to under 70 rushing yards then Dallas has just a 44 percent chance of winning.

WhatIfSports: Dallas 24, Washington 16

The Cowboys won 77.4% of WhatIfSports’ Simulations by an average score of 24-16. In these simulations, Dallas had some trouble in the passing game, with Tony Romo averaging only 193 yards. However, the running game had success, as the team averaged 163 yards on the ground.

My Guess (8-6 based on win-loss)

Prior to week 15, the last time I predicted a Dallas loss was during week 7, and the Cowboys game through with a 37-21 win over Atlanta. Last week, I was quite sure that the Cowboys would lose to the Saints:

Frankly, there is no way I am predicting a Dallas win yet again. I don’t see the Cowboys being able to slow down the Saints’ attack, and I think New Orleans will jump out to a lead. Dallas might keep the game close, but Nick Folk will not only miss three field goals but also three extra points.

I wasn’t anywhere close to correct. Folk made his extra point kicks and one of the field goals, though the final field goal miss ended up costing him his job.

As for the season:

Key—
Week: My Prediction (Actual Result)
Week 1: Dallas 34, Tampa Bay 24 (actual: Dallas 34, Tampa Bay 21)
Week 2: N.Y. Giants 17, Dallas 14 (actual: N.Y. Giants 33, Dallas 31)
Week 3: Dallas 31, Carolina 21 (actual: Dallas 21, Carolina 7)
Week 4: Dallas 24, Denver 14 (actual: Denver 17, Dallas 10)
Week 5: Dallas 31, Kansas City 14 (actual: Dallas 26, Kansas City 20)
Week 7: Atlanta 28, Dallas 17 (actual: Dallas 37, Atlanta 21)
Week 8: Dallas 31, Seattle 17 (actual Dallas 38, Seattle 17)
Week 9: Dallas 23, Philadelphia 17 (actual: Dallas 20, Philadelphia 16)
Week 10: Dallas 31, Green Bay 20 (actual: Green Bay 17, Dallas 7)
Week 11: Dallas 20, Washington 6 (actual: Dallas 7, Washington 6)
Week 12: Dallas 30, Oakland 13 (actual: Dallas 24, Oakland 7)
Week 13: Dallas 21, N.Y. Giants 12 (actual: N.Y. Giants 31, Dallas 24)
Week 14: Dallas 27, San Diego 20 (actual: San Diego 20, Dallas 17)
Week 15: New Orleans 30, Dallas 18 (actual: Dallas 24, New Orleans 17)

I have a hunch that the Cowboys will dismantle the Redskins on Sunday night. The Dallas offense will move the ball well early in the game, and the defense will suffocate the struggling Washington offense.

My prediction (and don’t shoot me for this):

personalized greetings

Dallas 31, Washington 0