The Detroit Lions face the Dallas Cowboys in what promises to be a compelling NFC matchup on Sunday. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best NFL odds from the top sportsbooks.
NFL Pick: Over 52.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Lions vs. Cowboys
Sunday, October 13, 2024 – 04:25 PM ET at AT&T Stadium
LIONS DOMINATE SEAHAWKS BEHIND GOFF’S HISTORIC PERFORMANCE
Jared Goff was near-perfect against Seattle, setting a new NFL record by completing all 18 of his pass attempts as the Lions routed the Seahawks 42-29 on September 30. Goff’s mastery through the air was complemented by an unusual milestone—a touchdown catch of his own.
In the third quarter, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown took the reins as quarterback and lofted a seven-yard pass to a wide-open Goff, marking the first TD reception of the quarterback’s career. This play made Goff and St. Brown only the eighth QB-WR pair in NFL history to throw and catch a touchdown from one another in the same game. St. Brown later secured one of Goff’s two scoring throws, an eight-yard strike in the fourth quarter.
Goff finished with 292 yards and built on a streak of elite efficiency that began in Detroit’s previous win over Arizona, where he completed his first 14 passes. He also connected on a 70-yard bomb to Jameson Williams, who sprinted past Seattle’s defenders for a highlight-reel score.
Seattle’s injury-riddled defense struggled to keep pace, giving up big plays both on the ground and through the air. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs added to the damage with two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter, racking up 78 yards on the ground.
David Montgomery set the tone early, plowing in from one yard out to cap a 93-yard, 10-play drive in the opening quarter. Montgomery amassed 80 total yards as Detroit balanced its attack and controlled the game from start to finish.
COWBOYS HOLD OFF STEELERS IN DRAMATIC FINISH
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys survived a chaotic Monday night clash, edging the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17. Prescott’s night was a mix of highs and lows—throwing for 352 yards but offsetting his production with two interceptions and a fumble that nearly let Pittsburgh steal a win.
Trailing 17-13 with under five minutes left, Prescott led a 70-yard, 15-play march, salvaging a botched Rico Dowdle leap into the end zone by recovering the fumble himself. Moments later, Prescott zipped a perfectly placed ball to Jalen Tolbert for the game-winning score with just 20 seconds remaining.
Dowdle added much-needed balance to the Cowboys’ ground game, previously ranked last in the league, by churning out 87 rushing yards and hauling in a sliding 22-yard touchdown on a 90-yard drive early in the fourth quarter.
Dallas entered the game shorthanded on both sides of the ball, missing key players on the offensive line and without defensive leader Micah Parsons. Yet Prescott’s grit and timely throws powered them to back-to-back victories and renewed optimism as they brace for the high-powered Lions.
KEY MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Goff’s quick decision-making and precision have been pivotal to Detroit’s offense. However, the Cowboys’ ferocious pass rush will pose one of the toughest tests yet. If Dallas can generate pressure without sending extra blitzers, Goff could be in for a long day. But with a strong offensive line in front of him, Goff has the chance to exploit gaps in the secondary, especially on quick throws to St. Brown.
With CeeDee Lamb as the focal point and Tolbert emerging as a deep threat, Dallas’ aerial attack will look to expose Detroit’s inconsistent secondary. The Lions’ young safety, Brian Branch, will be a key player, tasked with keeping Lamb in check and preventing big gains. If the Cowboys’ passing game finds its rhythm early, it could force Detroit to back off and open up running lanes for Dowdle.
The Lions’ tandem of Gibbs and Montgomery provides a potent one-two punch. Their ability to keep Dallas’ defense off-balance will be crucial. If Detroit can establish the run early, it will set up play-action and stretch the field, putting added stress on the Cowboys’ linebackers. Given Dallas’ recent struggles against the run, a strong ground game from the Lions could control the tempo and dictate the game.
Prescott’s inconsistency has been an issue, but when he’s on, he’s capable of dissecting defenses. The Lions’ defensive line, anchored by Aidan Hutchinson, will aim to disrupt his timing and force mistakes. If Hutchinson and company can collapse the pocket, it will play into the hands of Detroit’s secondary. However, if Prescott is given time, he can pick apart even the tightest coverage, making this a pivotal matchup.
Both teams have been plagued by special teams mishaps this season, making the kicking game and field position battles critical. One big return or blocked kick could flip the script in a tightly contested game. Turnovers will also be a deciding factor—Dallas’ defense thrives on forcing mistakes, while Detroit needs to play clean to avoid giving Prescott short fields to work with.
NFL Pick
Expect a close battle with both offenses finding their footing at times, but the edge goes to Detroit’s balanced attack and superior line play. The Lions’ ability to protect Goff and establish the run will be key, while Dallas’ struggles in pass protection and a shaky ground game could limit Prescott’s effectiveness.
In a contest where keeping the quarterback upright will be critical, Detroit’s offensive line will be the difference. Look for Goff to stay efficient, using a mix of short throws to St. Brown and a few deep shots to keep Dallas’ defense off-balance. On the other side, Prescott will have his moments but could be forced into costly mistakes under pressure.
NFL Pick: Over 52.5 (-110) at Bet365
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