Intro/Recap
The Dallas Cowboys have bounced back from a slow start to their season and boast a 3 game winning streak. Dak Prescott and company will face a tough test as they travel to Detroit for a meeting with the Lions this Thursday. The Lions have been slumping recently losing an important game last week to the Packers 31-24. They currently sit in 3rd place in a highly competitive NFC North 2 games behind the upstart Chicago Bears and 1.5 games behind the Packers. Both the Cowboys and Lions are fighting for their playoff lives and Thursday’s matchup will make or break their season moving forward. I’ll breakdown this contest using statistical analysis and historical trends so that you can make the best bets on Thursday night!
Injury News
As is always the case with Thursday night games, the injury report is extremely important especially during this time of the year. Both teams have a long list of injuries with 23 total between the 2 squads heading into practice this week. Key defensive players for the Lions, Safety Kerby Joseph and DB Brian Branch were limited in practice leaving their status as questionable. While WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and CB Terrion Arnold did not participate in practice and are expected to miss this week’s game. Dallas has an even longer list of injuries with DE Dante Fowler and Trevon Diggs listed as limited practice participants. WR George Pickens, who is having a breakout season, was also a limited practice participant with a calf injury and DE Jadeveon Clowney did not practice due to a hamstring injury. In summary both teams are beat up missing several key defenders each and possibly a superstar WR as well in Pickens and St. Brown.
Prediction
Head to head Dallas has won 6 out of their last 7 matchups against Detroit, but the Lions did blowout the Cowboys in their most recent meeting 47-9. These teams rank 2nd and 3rd in scoring and both defenses have glaring weaknesses that could lead to big-play opportunities. With these defenses ranking 27th and 30th in red-zone touchdown percentage, this matchup has all the ingredients for a shootout. Therefore, I’ll be targeting the point total of 53.5 to go over in this game even with Pickens’ status questionable and St. Brown doubtful to play. However, Pickens should play and trails only Jaxson Smith-Njigba in receiving yards this season so I’m also going to take his receiving yards total of 76.5 to go over.
The Bookie of Eli 
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