NFL Week 13 Best Bets: Seattle Seahawks vs Dallas Cowboys Picks for Thursday Night Football
We have NFL Week 13 kicking off on Thursday Night Football as Geno Smith and the Seahawks look to keep their NFC playoff hopes alive with a victory over Dak Prescott and the red-hot Dallas Cowboys. We all know the Cowboys have the firepower but they also have the defense. Can we trust in Geno Smith to get the ball to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett? Can Zach Charbonnet break through. All of these questions, plus who we like for our football picks against the spread and player props to invest in will be answered below.
NFL Thursday Night Football Best Bets: Seattle Seahawks vs Dallas Cowboys
The Spread: Cowboys -9
When we're looking at the Cowboys who have been an absolute juggernaut over the last five weeks (yes, even in that loss to the Philadelphia Eagles they looked great) and now they're at home against a Seattle team that has lost its last two and is still without starting running back Kenneth Walker, my inclination is to side with the visiting team and taking the points. That's just what happens with Dallas in games like this. They even have the Eagles next week so some could be thinking the Cowboys are even looking past this match-up. However, that's not where I am turning right now. Dallas needs the win and Dallas needs to keep this momentum rolling. They have a beast of a schedule coming up after next week's Eagles game – Buffalo, Miami and Detroit – and cannot afford to lose a game like this. But what about covering the spread? Nine points is a lot, especially when you know how potent the Seattle passing attack can be, but I'm going to look the back-door cover in the face and say it won't happen. I'm never one to get rah-rah about the Cowboys, but in this case, I'm all about the win and cover.
Pick: Dallas Cowboys -9 (-110)
The Total: 47.5
When I'm looking at a team covering such a big spread, the inclination is to also take the under. It usually means one team is coming up short and in this case, it's Seattle. The Dallas defense has been absolutely spectacular and I do worry about the Seahawks offensive line and it's ability to protect Geno Smith. If he doesn't have time to set up in the pocket, he could be in trouble. Yes, he can roll out and extend plays somewhat, but there is so much speed on this Dallas defense that I do worry Smith won't have the time to throw like he wants to. The under is 27-9 in prime time games this season and while Dallas may be explosive and the over has hit in four of their last five games, I think Seattle struggles enough to keep the score down.
Pick: Under 47.5 (-110)
Favorite Thursday Night Football Player Props:
- Tony Pollard Anytime TD (-145)
- Geno Smith over 232.5 passing yards (-115)
- Brandin Cooks over 41.5 receiving yards
- Zach Charbonnet under 77.5 rushing + receiving yards (-115)
**All lines & odds courtesy of BetMGM
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.