Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions Point Spread Picks

Both teams' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, but Dallas is on the way up after winning three in a row, while Detroit has lost four of seven and is heading downward. The Lions are dealing with several key injuries on the offensive line and in the secondary, and it showed in their 31-24 loss to Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys come off a massive win over Kansas City, and they have gone OVER in four straight road games. Detroit is 12-3 OVER following an ATS loss, and 5-1-1 OVER after totaling more than 350 yards the previous week. Dallas has made a habit of cranking it up in December, averaging 29.1 points per game since 2019. The Cowboys offense also loves the turf and this being indoors means points will be had. Given Detroit's resiliency after a loss, I'm projecting a shootout. Take the Cowboys/Lions OVER. 

A high total, but don't overlook these defenses. There's plenty on the line for the defenses to play hard as the Lions have a shot at the top seed in the NFC while the Cowboys can still win the NFC East. Detroit's defense is 15th in total yards allowed and 13th on third down (37.71%). NFL road teams like the Lions off a road victory are 102-65 UNDER the total in the second half of the season. The Dallas defense is seventh in total yards given up and fifth in points allowed (19.1 per game). They've allowed 15.4 points per game at home this season. These teams met last year and Dallas won, 24-6, where the total was 49.5. Take Detroit/Dallas UNDER the total. 

Detroit has had a week off to fix some things after its 29-0 loss to New England, while the Cowboys come off a tough loss at Philadelphia even while outgaining the Eagles 315-268. Dak Prescott says he has recovered from a right thumb injury, but his rhythm and timing will be questioned after not playing since Week One against the Buccaneers. The Lions had the top-rated offense in the league before running into the Patriots, but Detroit was dealing with some injuries in that game, including wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back D'Andre Swift and both may play in this game. The Cowboys are 4-1-1 UNDER this season and last week's game went OVER by just a half point. The Lions, of course, stayed UNDER by 17.5 points against New England. Detroit is 7-0 ATS its past seven games after scoring fewer than 15 points its previous game and they are 10-4 ATS their past 14 games overall and they have gone UNDER seven of their past 10 road games. The Lions also have covered five straight against teams with winning records. Dallas has stayed UNDER its last five home games. Take the Lions and the UNDER both as Max Plays.