Lions at Cowboys: Game preview, odds, prediction

Two NFC division leaders square off on Monday Night Football when the Dallas Cowboys host the Detroit Lions.

On Thanksgiving, it’s a tradition to watch the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys. However, this time, the two teams will square off on the day after Christmas in a must-watch Monday Night Football game. Dallas (12-2) will face Detroit (9-5) in a game quite meaningful for both sides.

While the Lions currently lead the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers are merely a game behind them. With a Week 17 matchup against them, Detroit needs all the momentum they can get. On the road this season, the Lions are 3-4. Matthew Stafford will have to play very well to give Detroit a much needed win.

On the other side of the field, Dallas has only lost to one team this season – the New York Giants. Because they’ve lost twice to them, the Cowboys still need to win one more game to clinch the NFC East. This will be their fifth consecutive game on national television. Dallas is led by two rookie sensations, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Odds

Spread: Dallas (-7)

Line: Lions (+305) Cowboys (-385)

Over under: 41.5

According to Odds Shark, Dallas is favored to get their 13th win of the season to clinch their division title. They are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games, though they are 9-4 against the spread overall this season. In four of Dallas’ last five games, the over under has gone under.

Meanwhile, Detroit is 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games this season. In each of their last five games, the over under total has gone under.

Prediction

This has all the makings of an excellent primetime football game. Though the two teams have gone under in nine of their last 10 games combined, expect a bit of a shootout in this one. Dallas should come way with a win.

Dallas 34 Detroit 27