The Detroit Lions are once again back in the prime time spotlight, but this time in a bumpier spot than normal.<\/p>\n
Riddled with late season injuries once more, the Lions need a win against the Dallas Cowboys tonight on \u201cThursday Night Football\u201d on their precarious road to the playoffs.<\/p>\n
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With the stakes so high, national media writers and analysts certainly have a lot to say about this matchup, take a look.<\/p>\n
CBS Sports\u2019 Pete Prisco<\/a>: Cowboys 34, Lions 33<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a playoff game. Both teams need it in the worst way. Dallas has come alive the past two weeks, while the Lions have been leaking oil. The Cowboys offense should be able to move the football here, while the improved Dallas defense will be able to limit the Lions late to win it. It\u2019s close, but the Cowboys take it.\u201d<\/p>\n Sporting News\u2019 Bill Bender<\/a>: Lions 28, Cowboys 24<\/p>\n \u201cBoth teams are in the thick of the NFC playoff hunt. Dallas has allowed 69.7 rushing yards per game through a three-game winning streak. Detroit is at home and in desperation mode in the NFC North. The Lions have allowed 29 points per game in their last three home games.\u201d<\/p>\n Pro Football Talks\u2019 Mike Florio<\/a>: Cowboys 27, Lions 24, and Chris Simms: Cowboys 37, Lions 28.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Cowboys are surging. The Lions are struggling. The Lions may be tight. The Cowboys should be loose.\u201d<\/p>\n Three NFL.com analysts<\/a> picked the Cowboys to win, while two are rolling with the Lions. Tom Blair: Cowboys 30, Lions 25<\/p>\n \u201cFittingly, Dallas and Dan Campbell\u2019s crew sit next to each other in the conference standings, only the Cowboys climbed up to ninth place, winning three straight, while the Lions slid down to eighth, losing two of their last three. And though their defenses have been comparable in that span (23rd in EPA per play for Dallas, 24th for Detroit), the Cowboys\u2019 offense (third in EPA per play) has been much more dangerous than the Lions\u2019 (18th). Quinnen Williams and Dak Prescott have Dallas clicking on both sides of the ball, but \u2014 nope! No buts! I\u2019m riding with the hot hands on the hot team, and that\u2019s that.\u201d<\/p>\n