Raiders vs. Cowboys Thanksgiving NFL odds: CeeDee Lamb ruled out for Dallas, total drops but spread does not

The Dallas Cowboys managed just nine points on Sunday in Kansas City playing without Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper (COVID) and losing rising superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb in the second quarter to a concussion. The Cowboys knew they would be without Cooper again for today's Thanksgiving game against the Las Vegas Raiders but held out hope Lamb would be cleared. He has been ruled out and this total has dropped from 51 to 50 points. Dallas remains -7.5 at Caesars Sportsbook.

Frankly, it was always a pipe dream for any player to clear concussion protocol this quickly even if Lamb participated in practice Wednesday. Maybe 15 years ago, Lamb would have played but not these days when the league/independent doctor decides when a player clears protocol and not the team.

Cooper has 44 catches for 583 yards and five scores and Lamb 50 catches for 740 yards and six scores. The top four wideouts today for Dak Prescott will be Michael Gallup, Cedrick Wilson, Noah Brown and Malik Turner at wideout. If you know of those last two guys, you must be a devout Dallas fan.

It is not likely this spread drops from 7.5 to 7 at kickoff as oddsmakers (and most bettors) essentially expected this. The Cowboys are the biggest favorites of Week 12, believe it or not. Dallas has won each of its last nine Thanksgiving games (7-2 ATS) when favored by at least seven points. The Cowboys' last such loss was to the Dolphins 28 years ago today, the infamous Leon Lett snow game at Texas Stadium.

At Caesar Sportsbook, about 68 percent of tickets sold and money wagered on the spread is on Dallas, but about 75 percent of tickets/money on the Raiders moneyline at +280. The total had seen split action when it was at 51.

For what it's worth: Since 2002, AFC teams are 14-4 SU and 15-3 ATS vs. NFC teams on Thanksgiving, and the AFC is 8-1 ATS in the past nine.

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