Our NFL guru drops his tips as the Cowboys head to the Lions
The two biggest teams in terms of NFL Thanksgiving tradition do battle once more on Thursday as the opener to Week 13 sees the Dallas Cowboys head to Detroit to take on the Lions. If the season ended today both sides would be on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, as the current eighth and ninth seeds, so a win is absolutely vital.
The Lions suffered a big blow on Thanksgiving in their divisional loss to the Green Bay Packers, and they are now third in the NFC North, behind the Packers and the surprisingly frisky Chicago Bears.
By contrast, the vibes in Dallas couldn’t be much higher. The Cowboys are rolling right now, on a three-game winning streak, after taking out the Chiefs last week. On top of that, the Eagles are now on a two-game losing streak after following up their loss to the Cowboys by falling in Chicago on Black Friday. All of a sudden, winning the East might be in play for Dallas. This is going to be a fun one, read on to find out what Peter Sharland is tipping…
Dak Prescott Passing TDs: Over 1.5
George Pickens receiving yards: Over 79.5
CeeDee Lamb anytime touchdown
Jared Goff Passing Yards: Over 252.5
Jameson Williams receiving yards: Over 79.5
A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Friday 5th December, 1:15am (UK)
WHERE: Ford Field, Detroit MI
TV: Sky Sports NFL
Dak Prescott Passing TDs: Over 1.5
Let’s start with the visitors. Unsurprisingly, the Cowboys’ uptick in form since that damaging loss to the Cardinals has been led by the form of quarterback Dak Prescott. He’s thrown for 942 yards over his past three games, along with eight touchdowns. That last bit is key for us, as we’re taking the over on Prescott’s passing touchdowns (1.5). The Lions just watched Jordan Love throw for four touchdowns against them, and the week before Jameis Winston (and Gunner Olszewski) threw for three. This pass defense can be got at, and we expect Prescott to throw for at least two.
George Pickens receiving yards: Over 79.5
Speaking of the pass defense, this feels like the kind of game George Pickens is going to take over. With Prescott stepping, so too has Pickens, who has gone for 378 yards and two touchdowns in his last three. We’ve gone with Pickens’ over in this one (79.5), something he’s done in three games straight as part of this winning run.
CeeDee Lamb anytime touchdown
Finally for the Cowboys, we’re going with CeeDee Lamb as an anytime touchdown scorer. Lamb may have only scored three touchdowns so far this season, but two of them have come in this three-game streak. If we’re talking about vulnerability in the Lions pass defense (only the Cowboys themselves and the Bengals have allowed more than the Lions’ 25 passing touchdowns this season) picking a wide receiver to score a TD makes sense. We debated between Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson, but whereas he’s gone cold, Lamb is hot, so we’re backing him.
Jared Goff Passing Yards: Over 252.5
After winning four in a row, the Lions have alternated a win and a loss for their next seven, so they’re consistently inconsistent. Jared Goff has remained consistent in terms of his passing yards, and whilst Dallas’ defense has been better, it still isn’t elite. Goff’s line is 252.5 yards in this one, he’s gone over that in each of his last five games.
Jameson Williams receiving yards: Over 79.5
The big worry for the Lions is the status of star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who sounds like he’s currently at best 50-50 to play. After not getting a single catch against the Giants, Jameson Williams exploded against the Packers for 144 yards. The line here is the same as Pickens (79.5) and we expect him also to get to his over.
Dallas Cowboys @ Detroit Lions tips
Dak Prescott Passing TDs: Over 1.5
George Pickens receiving yards: Over 79.5
CeeDee Lamb anytime touchdown
Jared Goff Passing Yards: Over 252.5
Jameson Williams receiving yards: Over 79.5
A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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