Detroit Lions (11-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-5)
As we enter the final week of NFL regular season play, every game counts and every victory counts for something. On Saturday at AT&T Stadium, Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys face each other with playoff implications on the line and looking for victory to improve their postseason positioning. In this article we’ll break down key statistics and analyze key player performances from both sides for this highly anticipated matchup, providing valuable insight for making winning NFL picks.
The Detroit Lions have enjoyed an outstanding start to this season. A key contributor has been their balanced offensive attack led by David Montgomery’s impressive running game. Montgomery has amassed 910 rushing yards on just 195 attempts for an average of 4.7 yards per rush and 11 touchdowns to his name, making him an invaluable member of the Lions offense. Amon-Ra St. Brown has been an incredible performer for Detroit in the passing game, recording 106 receptions for 1281 receiving yards – an invaluable target for quarterback Jared Goff – while also contributing 65 receiving first downs to Detroit’s offense.
The Dallas Cowboys have had an equally successful season and are in contention for playoff contention. Key players like Tony Pollard have played an essential part in helping secure postseason playback. He amassed 886 rushing yards on 219 attempts. Pollard may average slightly fewer yards per carry than Montgomery, yet has made significant contributions to the team’s offensive output. His ability to break off big runs – six rushes of 20 yards or more have kept defenses honest. CeeDee Lamb has been Dallas’ go-to receiver, collecting 109 receptions for 1424 yards. Lamb’s ability to extend plays by making 26 receptions of 20 yards or more and score nine receiving touchdowns makes him a game-changing presence on offense.
Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 8:15 PM ET |
| Where: | AT&T Stadium |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Jared Goff QB vs. Dak Prescott QB
Jared Goff has orchestrated an incredibly efficient Detroit passing attack this season. Completing 67.7% of his throws, Goff has amassed 3,984yards through the air while tossing 27 touchdowns to just 10 picks. His 7.4 yards per attempt and 98.3 passer rating are among the NFL’s best. Goff has shown mastery running the Lions offense with the talent surrounding him. He’s making excellent pre-snap reads, going through progressions quickly, and delivering accurate, catchable balls to his playmakers. Goff’s consistency and decision making has been superb all season. He’s yet to have a bad outing and can dissect any defense.
For Dallas, Dak Prescott continues to shine in his return from injury. Prescott is completing 68.4% of his attempts for 3892 yards and an NFL-leading 30 touchdowns. His 7.5 yards per pass and 104.2 rating are top tier. Prescott has the Cowboys operating the league’s 5th highest scoring offense thanks to his precision passing. He can attack downfield or efficiently lead sustained drives. Prescott’s combination of arm strength, touch, and football IQ make him an elite QB. He has an array of weapons and remains fully capable of carrying the Cowboys offense with his right arm when needed.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Dallas Cowboys -285, Total 53.5
This spread indicates oddsmakers view Dallas as nearly a touchdown favorite playing at home. However, recent trends show Detroit plays teams tough and Goff’s season warrants respecting their chances. The total suggests oddsmakers expect an entertaining, back and forth contest. Based on the Lions defensive vulnerabilities, the over has a strong chance to hit.
Detroit Lions Betting Trends
The Lions are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 overall. Detroit has also hit the over in 6 of 7 games. This indicates oddsmakers have regularly underestimated the Lions scoring potential. The trends clearly favor Detroit to cover and push this game over the total in a close battle.
Dallas Cowboys Betting Trends
Dallas is 15-0 straight up in their last 15 home games, showing their dominance at Jerry World. In addition, they are 5-1 SU in their last 6 home games against the Lions. However, Dallas has gone under in 4 of their last 6 games showing occasional offensive lulls. Overall the trends favor Dallas’s supremacy at home, but offer caution about their scoring ability.
Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys 12/30/23 Betting Picks
This game will have major playoff implications in the competitive NFC playoff race. Both teams need a win. The trends show the Lions excel against the spread while their offense pushes games over. Meanwhile, Dallas is extremely hard to beat at home. In the end, the Cowboys will feed off the home crowd energy to outgun the Lions behind Prescott’s four touchdowns. Back Dallas laying the points in a 38-31 thriller that clears the total. Check out all the best picks at top online betting sites this weekend.
