The Seattle Seahawks are experiencing a drastic decline after a strong start to the season. They have lost three of their last four games, including a disappointing home loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving. Their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread as they barely hold onto a playoff berth. On the other hand, the Dallas Cowboys have been on a hot streak, winning five of their last six games. Quarterback Dak Prescott has emerged as an MVP candidate, leading the Cowboys to success. Heading into their Thursday night matchup, the Cowboys are favored by nine points, and it seems unlikely that the struggling Seahawks will put up much of a fight, especially with their mounting injuries.

Seattle's running back Kenneth Walker has not practiced this week due to injury, while Geno Smith has been playing through an elbow injury. With the Seahawks expected to be in a negative game script, the focus shifts to the receiving corps. The target for Thursday night is rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has shown his talent with a one-handed grab in the previous week. His current receiving yard prop ranges from 39.5 to 42.5. Smith-Njigba has recorded at least 40 receiving yards in six of his last seven games, making him a consistent threat. As an explosive slot receiver, he can be utilized in various ways. The game will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video.

Smith-Njigba's matchup against the Cowboys is favorable. Dallas is known for its dominant defense and elite pass rush, but Smith-Njigba's role as a slot receiver could work in his favor. The Cowboys play man-to-man defense at a high rate, and teams have found success attacking their slot corner Jourdan Lewis. In recent weeks, Lewis has allowed 40-plus yards in four of the last six games. Smith-Njigba has shown better production against man-to-man defense than zone coverage. His yards per route run rate against man coverage is 1.93, just behind DK Metcalf and significantly better than Tyler Lockett. With Seattle expected to have a pass-heavy game, Smith-Njigba is poised to continue his production and exceed his receiving yards prop against Lewis.

Despite the Cowboys' success, they have yet to defeat a team with a winning record this season. However, their league-leading offense is still formidable. The upcoming game against the Seahawks is crucial for both teams as they are two games behind in their respective divisions. The Seahawks have struggled in their recent games, losing three of their last four. Their inefficiency on third downs has contributed to their decline, as they currently rank 31st in third-down conversion rate. Geno Smith's performance has been lackluster, and his Comeback Player of the Year award last year seems like a distant memory. Additionally, the absence of running back Kenneth Walker III due to injury adds to the Seahawks' challenges. They will have to face a strong Cowboys defense, ranked fourth in defensive DVOA. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott has been excelling, making a case for MVP consideration. He has led the Cowboys to multiple victories with impressive passing stats, and his connection with CeeDee Lamb has been a major factor in their success. The Seahawks' secondary has struggled in recent games, allowing significant air yards and touchdowns. With the Cowboys' dominance at home this season, it is unlikely that their pace of play will slow down against the struggling Seahawks.

In terms of DFS picks for the game, there are opportunities to find value in the underdog Seahawks. DK Metcalf is expected to have a strong performance in terms of receiving yards, despite Seattle's offensive struggles. The Cowboys' defensive style suits Metcalf's strengths, and he has been targeted heavily in recent weeks. CeeDee Lamb is also a player to watch, as he has received carries in several games and is likely to contribute on the ground as well. As for Tyler Lockett, his production against man coverage has been lower compared to other Seattle pass-catchers, making it likely that he will fall short of the receiving yards prop in the early stages of the game.

Overall, the Cowboys enter the game as heavy favorites, but there are opportunities for the Seahawks to make an impact, particularly through their receiving corps. The matchup between these NFC-contending teams will be crucial for their playoff hopes and will certainly be an intriguing game to watch.