Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (thigh) will be inactive tonight against the Titans, and Tennessee is planning on starting Joshua Dobbs at ...

Instead, Tennessee is prepping for a [Week 18 showdown](https://www.nfl.com/games/titans-at-jaguars-2022-reg-18) against the Jacksonville Jaguars that will decide the AFC South. [Ezekiel Elliott](https://www.nfl.com/players/ezekiel-elliott/), with 186 carries for 988 yards and nine TDs, plus another 371 yards and three scores on 39 catches. [Tony Pollard](https://www.nfl.com/players/tony-pollard/) will be inactive Thursday evening, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported. A loss would [cede](https://www.nfl.com/news/playoff-clinching-scenarios-for-week-17-of-2022-nfl-season) the NFC East to the 13-2 Eagles before they even take the field in Week 17. Dobbs joined the Titans off Detroit's practice squad on Dec. [Mailk Willis](https://www.nfl.com/players/malik-willis/) comes with the knowledge that the Titans cannot improve their [playoff standing](https://www.nfl.com/standings/playoff-picture) no matter the result tonight.

Pollard, a 2022 Pro Bowler, did not practice during the week due to the injury.

Defensive standouts like Parsons and [DeMarcus Lawrence](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/demarcus-lawrence-jaHAZ9PRobBy6lf1/) should be in consideration for some time off before the playoffs if the Cowboys cannot improve their seed. [Eagles](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/eagles/) play Sunday, potentially locking up the NFC East title and overall No. [Ezekiel Elliott](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/ezekiel-elliott-whn8tlH32SbWznBB/) will be Dallas’ starter Thursday and get the bulk of the work, but Davis should get opportunities against one of the [NFL](https://theathletic.com/nfl/)’s best run defenses. The Titans [are expected to start newly signed Josh Dobbs](https://theathletic.com/4043597/2022/12/29/titans-josh-dobbs-cowboys/)at quarterback on Thursday, The Athletic confirmed. Depending on how the The undrafted rookie free agent has carried 23 times for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Our betting and fantasy analysts answer some of the most pressing questions surrounding Thursday night's matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee ...

Brown](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4047646/aj-brown), [DeVonta Smith](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4241478/devonta-smith) and [Tee Higgins](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4239993/tee-higgins). [Ezekiel Elliott](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3051392/ezekiel-elliott) TD (-115) and [Malik Davis](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4240603/malik-davis) TD (+425). [Tony Pollard](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3916148/tony-pollard) is not expected to play on Thursday due to a thigh injury. Our DVOA ratings at Football Outsiders have Philadelphia as the best team in the conference for the entire year and San Francisco as the best team in weighted DVOA, giving more weight to recent games. They are currently +450 to win the NFC and +1100 to win the Super Bowl. [Taylor Lewan](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16708/taylor-lewan) is something the team has never bounced back from, and the play at that position has been dreadful. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs, playing on the road at the NFC South champion. Moody: Prescott is in a great spot to exceed 240.5 passing yards against the Titans. I love Dallas even with the big number, and I love the over simply because this will get out of control quickly. Schatz: I like Prescott to go over those props against a Titans squad that ranks 27th in pass defense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) this year. The Titans (7-8), meanwhile, have dropped five in a row. Will the Titans, losers of five straight, right the ship or are you rolling with the Cowboys fresh off their win over the Eagles?

Fantasy football analyst Chris Allen breaks down the matchup between the Titans and Cowboys on TNF.

Dallas still has a shot at the NFC East title, but Tennessee might be looking toward Week 18 showdown with Jags.

[Nicholas Petit-Frere](/nfl/players/2965425/nicholas-petit-frere/) is out. [Derrick Henry](/nfl/players/2061188/derrick-henry/) is doubtful. [Ryan Tannehill](/nfl/players/1273654/ryan-tannehill/) remains out. [Tennessee Titans](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/TEN/tennessee-titans/) and [Dallas Cowboys](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/DAL/dallas-cowboys/) is one such game. And with this game being essentially meaningless for Tennessee anyway, there's almost no reason for the Titans to put him out there. The Dallas defense has taken a step backward in recent weeks, but the way to beat this group has mostly been through the air. [Jeffery Simmons](/nfl/players/2248637/jeffery-simmons/), [Bud Dupree](/nfl/players/1877307/bud-dupree/), [Amani Hooker](/nfl/players/2251098/amani-hooker/), [Zach Cunningham](/nfl/players/2079823/zach-cunningham/), and [Dylan Cole](/nfl/players/2820029/dylan-cole/) as out for this game, and additionally listed [Denico Autry](/nfl/players/2132722/denico-autry/) and [Kristian Fulton](/nfl/players/2223248/kristian-fulton/) as doubtful. Of note, only three teams have yielded more receptions to players lined up in the slot this season than has Tennessee. And for what it's worth, Pro Football Focus has graded six of those interceptions as not being turnover-worthy plays, meaning they were the fault of the receiver and not Prescott. Will the Cowboys stack another win and put even more pressure on the Eagles, or will the Titans pull off the upset in their home stadium? In other words, more than half of the Titans' defensive starters will likely not be available for this game. No matter what happens on Thursday night, the Titans will be playing for the AFC South title against the [Jacksonville Jaguars](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/JAC/jacksonville-jaguars/) in Week 18.

Dallas Cowboys will be wearing an icy hot uniform for Thursday night's game against the Tennessee Titans.

"Last hour I called them ‘clean.’ I called the helmets ‘clean’ and Hanna’s already mocking me on Instagram for using that terminology. Spiffy or rad perhaps?" FOX 4 anchors Lauren Przybyl and Hanna Battah called them "sharp."

"I think we're a better team when we're going back and forth," Elliott said of splitting the workload with Pollard.

Elliott has no more guaranteed money remaining on the $90 million extension he signed in 2019, and the Cowboys could seek to rework his contract. I appreciate everybody voting for me, but hopefully I don’t get to be in it [because it takes place the week prior to the Super Bowl]. [Derrick Henry](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3043078/derrick-henry) is second in the NFL in rushing with 1,429 yards. I’m grateful and honored to be in the Pro Bowl. [Dontrell Hilliard](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3126246/dontrell-hilliard) has the second-most carries among running backs on the team with … The last time the Cowboys had two running backs with more than 800 yards apiece in a season was in 1969 with Calvin Hill (942) and Walt Garrison (818). “I want Tony Pollard and Zeke to be playing their best football when we’re going into the playoffs,” McCarthy said. The last time one team had two 1,000-yard running backs in the same season was the 2009 He knows what it takes to get there, and I think Tony could be that guy too if we played that way.” Many wondered why the Cowboys did not work to more of a split backfield last season when Elliott played with a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Through 15 games this season, Elliott still leads the Cowboys in rushing attempts (204), but his percentage of the work is down to 43.2%. [Tony Pollard](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3916148/tony-pollard) had been officially named a Pro Bowl running back for about a minute when his phone rang.

Pollard did not practice throughout the week due to a thigh injury and is officially listed as questionable. It did seem like Dallas was holding out hope that ...

[NFL](/nfl/) with 988 yards on the ground. The Florida product has appeared in 10 games so far this season and has carried the ball 23 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. Nevertheless, Dallas is not expected to have [Tony Pollard](/nfl/players/2184011/tony-pollard/) for the Week 17 opener as the running back will be inactive, according to [NFL Media](https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1608520373070430210?s=20&t=rKckyEtGgSKq9oWSzpnvrg).

Week 17 NFL injuries: Derrick Henry likely out Thursday vs. Cowboys, Tony Pollard to be inactive, per reports · Dallas Cowboys (-12) at Tennessee Titans · Arizona ...

Offensive tackle [David Bakhtiari](/nfl/players/1665265/david-bakhtiari/) (knee/abdomen), offensive lineman [Elgton Jenkins](/nfl/players/2139832/elgton-jenkins/) (knee), running back [Aaron Jones](/nfl/players/2071937/aaron-jones/) (knee/ankle) and offensive tackle [Yosh Nijman](/nfl/players/2179466/yosh-nijman/) (shoulder) were limited participants. Brown](/nfl/players/2258303/a-j-brown/) (knee) and defensive tackle [Jordan Davis](/nfl/players/26540135/jordan-davis/) (concussion) were limited participants. [New York Jets](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/NYJ/new-york-jets/) (-1.5) at [Seattle Seahawks](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/SEA/seattle-seahawks/) [Jalen Hurts](/nfl/players/2240246/jalen-hurts/) (right shoulder), offensive tackle [Lane Johnson](/nfl/players/1700429/lane-johnson/) (groin), cornerback [Avonte Maddox](/nfl/players/2136493/avonte-maddox/) (toe) and running back [Miles Sanders](/nfl/players/2251305/miles-sanders/) (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. Jones](/nfl/players/2180646/d-j-jones/) (knee), nose tackle [Mike Purcell](/nfl/players/2058552/mike-purcell/) (elbow) and safety [K'Waun Williams](/nfl/players/2132716/kwaun-williams/) (knee) did not practice. Safety [Justin Evans](/nfl/players/2925516/justin-evans/) (shoulder), cornerback [Marshon Lattimore](/nfl/players/2139278/marshon-lattimore/) (abdomen), wide receiver [Chris Olave](/nfl/players/2963666/chris-olave/) (hamstring) and linebacker [Pete Werner](/nfl/players/2829228/pete-werner/) (hamstring) were limited participants. Running back [Damien Harris](/nfl/players/2186318/damien-harris/) (thigh), tight end [Hunter Henry](/nfl/players/2079848/hunter-henry/) (knee), cornerback [Jonathan Jones](/nfl/players/1995671/jonathan-jones/) (chest), running back [Rhamondre Stevenson](/nfl/players/3125832/rhamondre-stevenson/) (ankle) and wide receiver [Tyquan Thornton](/nfl/players/2965066/tyquan-thornton/) (knee) were limited participants. [Yodny Cajuste](/nfl/players/2136504/yodny-cajuste/) (illness), cornerback [Jack Jones](/nfl/players/2242763/jack-jones/) (knee), cornerback [Marcus Jones](/nfl/players/2866110/marcus-jones/) (concussion), cornerback [Jalen Mills](/nfl/players/1984271/jalen-mills/) (groin) and tight end [Jonnu Smith](/nfl/players/2081506/jonnu-smith/) (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday for the Patriots. [Carlton Davis](/nfl/players/2183962/carlton-davis/) (shoulder), linebacker [Anthony Nelson](/nfl/players/2179724/anthony-nelson/) (illness) and defensive end [Rakeem Nunez-Roches](/nfl/players/1851299/rakeem-nunez-roches/) (personal) did not practice on Wednesday. [Jon Bostic](/nfl/players/1664202/jon-bostic/) (pectoral), offensive lineman [Saahdiq Charles](/nfl/players/2804552/saahdiq-charles/) (concussion), running back [Antonio Gibson](/nfl/players/2960976/antonio-gibson/) (foot/knee), defensive end [James Smith-Williams](/nfl/players/2179368/james-smith-williams/) (concussion) and [Chase Young](/nfl/players/2829229/chase-young/) (illness) did not practice on Wednesday. [Chuma Edoga](/nfl/players/2180322/chuma-edoga/) (knee), tight end [Feleipe Franks](/nfl/players/2221829/feleipe-franks/) (concussion) and offensive guard [Elijah Wilkinson](/nfl/players/2820122/elijah-wilkinson/) (calf) did not practice Wednesday. [Arizona Cardinals](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/ARI/arizona-cardinals/) at [Atlanta Falcons](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/ATL/atlanta-falcons/) (-3.5)

Word is that Cowboys running back Tony Pollard is going to miss Thursday night's game against the Titans and a roster move the Cowboys made on Thursday ...

The Cowboys also elevated center Brock Matthews. Running back Qadree Ollison has been elevated from the practice squad. It’s the third time that the Cowboys have summoned Ollison this season and the previous two came when

Cowboys coach Dan Quinn is “where his feet are,” as he likes to say. And he is also where Jerry Jones' wallet is. But another cycle is about to test that ...

[Quinn drew interest from the Giants, Broncos, Jaguars, Bears, Dolphins, and Vikings](https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/sean-payton-dallas-new-orleans-saints-dan-quinn-kellen-moore-hire) before the Jones got involved. He is “where his feet are,” as he likes to say. The Broncos job is open again ... or maybe a guy who was a Super Bowl head coach in Atlanta finds the right spot to try it again. and it seems both inane and unfair to suggest there is a "hot seat'' here. though it's a less attractive spot that is was previously. "And we feel the same way about it this year.” And soon, here come another series of interviews designed to both reward Quinn for his brilliance and to steal the standout coach away from The Star. [Quinn has an infectious leadership ability](https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/micah-parsons-wish-dan-quinn-dallas-coach-staying) but is also an accomplished X's-and-O's guy, skills he put on display before spending his two seasons in Dallas, as he was the head coach of the Super Bowl finalist Falcons and the defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl Seattle Seahawks. But at some point, maybe the 2022 Cowboys "finish that business'' with a Super Bowl ... [as 11-4 Dallas plays at Tennessee on "Thursday Night Football,''](https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-cowboys-titans-top-10-thursday-predictions-ball-hunters-micah-parsons-dak-prescott-derrick-henry) McCarthy and his staff once again have the Cowboys positioned as one of the NFL's top contenders ... [CowboysSI.com was first to report a year, the Dallas Cowboys and the Jones family provided Dan Quinn a "future substantial raise” to remain in Dallas for 2022](https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-owner-jerry-jones-coach-dan-quinn-substantial-raise-stay-sources#gid=ci029858725000278c&pid=moore-quinn) while also ''pledging allegiance'' to the defensive coordinator regarding his potential future as a head coach.

Larry Hartstein has his finger on the pulse of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys.

[Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Titans vs. [Micah Parsons](/nfl/players/2967590/micah-parsons/), who is questionable and dealing with a hand injury, is fifth in the NFL with 13 sacks, while defensive ends [Dorance Armstrong](/nfl/players/2179534/dorance-armstrong/) and [DeMarcus Lawrence](/nfl/players/1984683/demarcus-lawrence/) have recorded eight and six, respectively. You can [head to SportsLine to see his picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/cowboys-vs-titans-odds-line-dallas-expert-releases-spread-pick-for-thursday-night-football-matchup/#ttag=12272022_agg_cbssports_picks_football_nfl_larryhartstein_CowboysTitansTNFexpert). Titans](https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/game-forecast/NFL_20221229_DAL@TEN/) and just locked in his picks and TNF predictions. [Dak Prescott](/nfl/players/1824864/dak-prescott/) has thrown three touchdown passes in three of his last four outings. The Titans boast the No. Now, here are several [ NFL odds](https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/odds) and betting lines for Titans vs. First, its defensive line is one of the best in the league, as evidenced by the Titans ranking second in run defense. The team is third with an average of 28.9 points and quarterback Dallas is a 14-point favorite in the latest Cowboys vs. A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed while working for Pro Football Focus. Tennessee (7-8) has lost five in a row.