Cowboys vs Lions Thursday Night Football Betting Prediction: Week 14 Bet Picks

The Detroit Lions will host the Dallas Cowboys in a must-win game on Thursday Night Football. Both teams are playing for the playoffs, without much wiggle room for a loss. The Cowboys own a 6-5-1 record, while the Lions own a 7-5 record.

Dallas has featured one of the worst defenses in the NFL this season. They rank 30th in points allowed (.449) per play. They have been playing better in recent weeks, though, as they made moves at the trade deadline and have gotten slightly healthier.

Detroit features one of the best offenses in the NFL, though, specifically at home. They rank fourth in the NFL in points (.525) per play at home in 2025. They’re averaging a healthy 32 points per game in those contests.

The key here is that although Dallas has been getting better defensively, they’re still impossible to trust. This is especially true against a team that has consistently found success at home for multiple seasons.

The Lions have been a relatively average defense this season. They rank 14th in the NFL in points allowed (.374) per play. That number drops to .320 at home, which is solid. This isn’t a defense that I trust by any stretch, though, even in the best situations.

On the other side, the Cowboys feature an offense that can score against anyone in the NFL. They rank fifth in the NFL in points (.451) per play. They’re also averaging 29.3 points per game in 2025.

The key in this game is that both teams are loaded with players who can make explosive plays. George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb look like one of the best duos in the NFL, and they’re virtually impossible to cover. The Cowboys also have several other players who can make big plays, although they aren’t nearly as consistent.

The Lions are expected to be without Amon-Ra St. Brown in this game, which will be a massive blow to their offense. They’re also down Sam LaPorta, which hurts quite a bit as well.

Even with those players out, Detroit has several big-play options. Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs boast elite speed, and they’re the top options. Isaac TeSlaa has flashed at times, and we even saw Tom Kennedy go for 20+ yards on a catch last week.

Granted, I don’t fully trust an injured Detroit offense, but they still have more than enough players to get the job done at home. On the other side, I prefer Dallas’ offense over virtually any defense, and this isn’t an exception.

Where to Bet: Dallas Cowboys & Detroit Lions over 54.5 points | -105 at FanDuel Sportsbook

2025 NFL Season Betting Record: 20-30