In the opening matchup of the three-game slate of NFL action on Christmas, the Dallas Cowboys will face the Washington Commanders.
Neither of these NFC East teams has had the season they hoped or expected this year. Both teams enter this matchup with a record below .500 and have been eliminated from playoff contention. But the action must continue on the football field, and anything can happen any given week, especially with the divisional rivalry in mind.
Looking at the odds, the Cowboys enter as 7.5-point favorites and hold -440 Moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Commanders are +340 underdogs with the game total set at O/U 50.5 points.
There are numerous ways to get involved in the action beyond backing a side or total. This article will look at my top Javonte Williams prop bets ahead of the Week 17 Christmas Day matchup.
Best Javonte Williams Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Javonte Williams Anytime Touchdown (-175)
It has been a frustrating season for the Cowboys, but Javonte Williams has been a consistent bright spot. After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Broncos, Williams signed with the Cowboys in the offseason, and he has put forth a career season. The 25-year-old has carried the ball 239 times for 1,147 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, while adding 35 receptions for 137 yards and a pair of scores through the air.
Washington has a poor overall defense and enters this game as a 7.5-point underdog. They rank 27th in points allowed, 30th in yards given up, 29th in rushing yards conceded, 28th in net yards per rush attempt, and 20th in rushing touchdowns conceded. The Commanders have allowed opposing running backs to reach the end zone in each of their last six games and in eight of their last nine.
Williams sees plenty of action in the red zone already, and this friendly matchup will only help the outlook. He has 47 carries inside the 20-yard line this season, which ranks seventh in the NFL. Dak Prescott has the next-most red zone rush attempts on the Cowboys, with 12 attempts on the year. Williams has scored in nine of the 15 games overall this year and in three of his last four games played. He sees a level of rushing volume that is impossible to ignore and has consistently been involved in their scoring production this season.
Javonte Williams Over 74.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
Javonte Williams is averaging 76.5 rushing yards per game this season and has tallied over 74.5 rushing yards in nine of his 15 games. He has been the clear-cut top running back on Dallas’ roster, with 10+ carries in all but one game this season. Dallas is also a comfortable favorite in this matchup, and if they can take a lead, there will be a clear path to Williams playing an increased role in the flow of offense.
He should not need much help reaching this rushing total, given Washington’s defensive shortcomings. Opponents have rushed for 107 yards or greater in 11 of the Commanders’ 15 games played this season. This includes Saquon Barkley rushing for 132 yards last week, the Giants combining for 146 rushing yards the week before this, and Minnesota putting up 162 yards on the ground just over their last three matchups.
Dallas involves Williams heavily in the offense regardless, and the matchup and game script will only help this case. He has little competition for carries and should comfortably see at least 15 rush attempts. Williams rushed for 116 yards against the Commanders in the first game, which marked his second-highest rushing total of the season.
