The Dallas Cowboys will take on the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football to begin Week 14 of the NFL season. This is a game with serious NFC postseason implications on both sides. Detroit enters the game as a slight favorite at home, but Dallas comes in hot, riding a three‑game winning streak. Both teams are on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFC playoff picture and need a win here. Before kickoff from Ford Field, you will find my Cowboys vs Lions prediction right here.
Our Cowboys vs Lions Pick
- Pick: Lions -3
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions
- Date & Time: Thursday, December 4, 2025, 8:15 PM ET
- Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- Broadcast: Prime Video
Cowboys vs Lions Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Lions –3 | Lions –175 / Cowboys +145 | O/U 54.5 |
Key Storylines
- Playoff positioning: Detroit (7–5) is jockeying for NFC North positioning, entering this week two games behind the Chicago Bears in that race. Dallas (6–5–1) is within striking distance of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East after winning three straight games. Both teams are outside of the Wild Card spots in the NFC as well, and a win would be huge for the playoff hopes of whichever team can grab it..
- Injury impacts: The Lions are shorthanded right now. Top pass catcher Amon-Ra St. Brown is dealing with an ankle issue and is a game-time decision. Tight end Sam LaPorta remains on injured reserve. Detroit’s offensive line has also taken hits, potentially disrupting their run game and pass protection schemes. On the Cowboys’ side, cornerback Trevon Diggs is back in action, which should help a secondary that has been shaky but is improving.
- Momentum vs. home field advantage: Dallas arrives having won three straight. Detroit has the home crowd on its side in this game. It will be interesting to see which of those things outweighs the other in this huge game in the NFC.
Quarterback Play
At quarterback, the Lions rely on Jared Goff. Goff has been solid this season and benefits from Detroit’s offensive scheme. But Goff struggled with turnovers against the Green Bay Packers last week. With St. Brown questionable and other injuries playing a role, Goff’s passing options may be limited.
On the Cowboys side, Dak Prescott has led a resurgent offense that remains among the NFL’s most explosive units. With Dallas likely leaning on a pass-first approach against Detroit’s banged-up secondary, Prescott’s decision‑making and protection from his line will be critical. Prescott’s connections with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb have made the Cowboys a threat again after a rough start to the year.
Betting Trends
- Dallas is 7-5 against the spread this season.
- Detroit is 6-6 against the spread going into this Thursday night game.
- The Cowboys have gone over the total in 8 of their first 12 games.
- Detroit has gone over the total 7 times in 12 outings.
Cowboys vs Lions Model Projection
Score Projection: Lions 30 – Cowboys 24
Win Probability: Lions 65%, Cowboys 35%
Final Thoughts
Although the Lions are dealing with key offensive injuries, I don’t want to overreact to the recent results for either of these teams. Detroit should bounce back nicely here against a Cowboys defense that has had its ups and downs this year, while the Cowboys should have a much tougher time against a quality opponent now that they aren’t at home. I’ll lay the points with the Lions to kick off Week 14.
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