The Dallas Cowboys will host the Detroit Lions (1-4) after the team’s bye week (4-2). The game will begin at 1 PM ET. Our NFL odds series is continued here with a Lions-Cowboys prediction and choice.
After their bye week, Detroit is 1-4 and has dropped three straight games. Prior to their lone victory of the season against the Commanders, the Lions dropped a close game to the Eagles in week one. They have since suffered defeats to the Vikings, Seahawks, and Patriots. In their most recent game versus New England, they were defeated 29-0. The NFC North’s bottom-place team is Detroit. Four of their five games have gone over, and they are 3-2 against the spread.
After last week’s 17-26 loss to Philadelphia, Dallas is 4-2 overall. The Cowboys had previously defeated the Rams, Commanders, Giants, and Bengals in a four-game winning streak. They had lost to Tampa Bay in their season opener prior to the victory run. Dallas is 4-2 against the spread and has had four games with unders.
These NFL odds between the Lions and Cowboys are provided by FanDuel.
NFL Odds: Lions-Cowboys Odds
Lions of Detroit: +6.5 (-106)
Cowboys of Dallas: -6.5 (-114)
Over: 48.5 (-114) (-114)
Under: 48.5 (-106)
Why The Lions Could Cover The Spread
Prior to their 0–0 loss to New England, Detroit had the best offence in the NFL. They had played three games and scored 35 points despite having a 1-4 record. Despite having a potent offensive, the Lions rank 25th in team DVOA.
Despite playing without their two top offensive players for significant chunks of the season, the Lions are third in the league in scoring. Both receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back DeAndre Swift are anticipated to participate this week. Swift had two full games this year and was outstanding. In week one, he gained 175 total yards, and in week two, he gained 87 total yards. When he left the game in week three with an injury, Swift was on his way to another strong performance. In his absence, Jamaal Williams has performed admirably. He has ran for 332 yards and 6 touchdowns so far this season. They both will play significant roles against a Dallas defence that ranks 19th in rushing defence and has allowed 4.4 yards per rush.
Prior to the bye week, St. Brown made a comeback, but he only made a few appearances in the drubbing. Since taking over as a starter last year, he has been outstanding. St. Brown has made 13 starts dating back to last season. He has accumulated 85 catches for 869 yards and seven touchdowns throughout those starts. St. Brown would have 111 catches for 1136 yards and nine touchdowns if his 17-game season were extended. He is a top-tier receiver whose assistance will be crucial in dealing with Dallas’ fourth-ranked pass defence.
However, the offensive line is where Dallas has the most of an advantage. The Cowboys will present the Lions with their toughest test to date despite having the fourth-lowest sack percentage in the NFL. Micah Parsons is in charge of Dallas’ terrifying pass rush. With 10.2% of passes resulting in a sack, the Cowboys have the second-highest rate in the league. The Lions’ offence has the firepower to compete with the Cowboys if the offensive line can keep pressure off quarterback Jared Goff.
Why The Cowboys Could Cover The Spread
Dallas has performed admirably given that their starting quarterback has been out for almost the whole season. Despite having an offensive that ranks 27th in yards per game and 23rd in scoring, the Cowboys are fourth in DVOA. They are still 4-2 overall. You might wonder, how?
Simply put, Micah Parsons.
The backbone of Dallas’ top-five defence this season has been the defensive playmaker who can do it all. Parsons is fourth in quarterback pressures, second in the league in tackles for loss, and third in sacks. Nevertheless, there are many other playmakers on Dallas’ defensive side since this has been a team effort. Dallas has given up the third-fewest points per game and ranks fourth in defensive DVOA. They have the tools necessary to counter Detroit’s passing attack. The third-fewest passing yards in the league have been surrendered by the Cowboys.
The Cowboys’ offensive passing game has been below average, but Dak Prescott, their leading quarterback, is scheduled to return from injury soon. Cooper Rush was serviceable as a fill-in but Dallas was 31st in completion percentage and 27th in passing yards per game. Against Detroit’s 26th-ranked pass defence, Prescott ought to be able to significantly outperform those numbers.
However, Prescott won’t have to do everything offensively in his first game back. The Cowboys have a solid run game with their tw0-headed attack of Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard. Dallas doesn’t have a passing game, but they are an okay rushing squad. The two have combined for 678 yards on 149 carries – good for 4.5 yards per carry. They should be busy against Detroit’s bottom-five rush defense.
Final Lions-Cowboys Prediction & Pick
Detroit has been frisky this year but hasn’t faced a defense like Dallas. In Dak’s first game back, expect the Cowboys’ offense to be firing on all cylinders.
Final Lions-Cowboys Prediction & Pick: Dallas Cowboys -7.5 (-114)
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