Can the Dallas Cowboys find another win on the road?
After two major wins over Philadelphia and Kansas City at home — in addition to a win in Las Vegas on Nov. 17 — the Cowboys are suddenly back in the playoff chase. Will their recent success continue in Detroit this week?
What can we expect in Thursday’s game? Our columnists and beat writers at The Dallas Morning News give their predictions:
Tim Cowlishaw
Cowboys
It has to be a surprise that the Cowboys are the hot team to watch entering December and it’s the Lions — 15-2 a year ago — who can’t find their way past a solid opponent of late. But Detroit does one thing better than most and that’s run the ball. This will be the biggest test so far since the Quinnen Williams acquisition, and I think the Lions are going to be better at sustaining drives for points (maybe even field goals if Dan Campbell will allow it), giving the home team enough to win.
Lions 24, Cowboys 17
Damon Marx
The Lions’ one-two punch of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs will provide a true test for the revamped Cowboys’ run defense. With wins over the Eagles and Chiefs, the Cowboys proved they can beat teams with a winning record. Now, they must beat a winning team on the road for the first time since defeating Tampa Bay last December. If the Cowboys complete this three-game run against recent NFL powerhouses, we can seriously start talking about the playoffs. If not, it’s back to being on the outside looking in.
Lions 28, Cowboys 23
Joseph Hoyt
They’ve sold me. Not only have they sold me on winning this game, but the Cowboys have sold me on being one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now. There’s a confidence around The Star this week. Dak Prescott even said it’s the most confident he’s been heading into December, which is shocking, considering the success they’ve had previously and the fact that they’re on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. By a healthy margin, too. Will this team make the playoffs? I’m not sure. But I do think they’ll win this one.
Cowboys 31, Lions 21
Abraham Nudelstejer
I’m not about to bet against a team riding a three‑game winning streak, especially when two of those victories came against last year’s Super Bowl contenders. The Cowboys are firing on all cylinders: their quarterback is playing at an elite level, the receiving corps is stacked with star power, the ground game provides balance, and the tight end is as dependable as they come. The defense continues to trend upward, and they boast the most automatic field‑goal kicker in the league. Dallas is set to roll out of Motor City with its seventh win of the season.
Cowboys 31, Lions 24
Kevin Sherrington
Before the season, you put this down as an automatic “L.” Not so much now. The Cowboys appear to be moving up; the Lions, on the down escalator. They miss Ben Johnson, who’s resurrected Caleb Williams’ career. Still, the Cowboys haven’t proven they can win a tough game on the road. Now’s the time.
Lions 28, Cowboys 24
Calvin Watkins
This is one of the biggest games of the season for the Cowboys. It’s part of a resurgence of a season that seemed headed toward NFL draft talk in December to playoff talk. Detroit has issues from a health standpoint and it’s possible the Cowboys will take advantage.
Cowboys 28, Lions 17
Cowboys-Chiefs was most-watched regular-season NFL game ever5 takeaways from Ep. 1 of Hard Knocks, NFC East: Dak-Jameis, riding with Schotty and more
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.