Cowboys Thanksgiving win could have huge implications on Commanders’ season finale

Washington Commanders fans were able to take a load off on Thanksgiving and tune into the holiday’s three-game slate. While all three games were entertaining, Cowboys-Giants had everyone’s attention for obvious reasons.

Of course, the Commanders are competing with Dallas and New York for a playoff spot, and the Cowboys’ win — which is what fans should’ve been rooting for — puts the reeling Giants at 7-4 with their next three games coming against NFC East rivals, including two against Washington and at home vs Philly in Week 14.

While Dallas’ Thanksgiving win over the Giants was a good result for the Commanders, it could have big implications on Week 18, when Washington will host the Cowboys in a game that could be huge in the NFC playoff picture.

Famously dubbed as the Odell Beckham Jr. bowl, the Cowboys are now widely considered the favorites to land OBJ’s signature.

The Commanders might have to account for Odell Beckham Jr. when they play the Cowboys in Week 18.

The Chiefs and Bills are also said to be involved in the Beckham sweepstakes, but reports indicate the former All-Pro is seeking a multi-year deal and prefers a warm climate since he’s had two ACL surgeries on the same knee in a three-year span.

As much as Beckham fancies the idea of an East Rutherford homecoming, the Giants are free-falling and could fall out of the playoff picture entirely by season’s end given their tough upcoming schedule and extensive injury list

That’s yet another factor working in Dallas’ favor. Not only are the Cowboys a virtual lock to make the playoffs, but the presence of CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup would offer a smooth landing spot for the veteran relative to New York, where he’d be expected to make an immediate impact given their injuries at the position and the fact Kenny Golladay has four catches for 51 yards all season.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter spoke to a league executive who believes Dallas is the overwhelming favorite to sign Beckham Jr.

Assuming Beckham needs a ramp-up period before he makes an impact, he might just be getting his conditioning back to speed in Week 18. If the Commanders need a win in the finale to get into the playoffs, the thought of defending Lamb, Gallup, Odell, Dalton Schultz and Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard is pretty scary, regardless of how well the defense has performed.

Since Dak Prescott has returned, Dallas is averaging north of 30 points per game and ranks first in third-down conversion rate and points per drive.

This all isn’t to say Washington can’t beat the Cowboys, especially at home. Let’s just hope their playoff hopes don’t hinge on winning this game — or Dallas simply doesn’t win the Beckham sweepstakes.

Beating the hated Cowboys is already hard enough. Doing so with a healthy OBJ in the mix won’t make it any easier.