Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys Prediction, 12/30/2023 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 17

Game: Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys

Date: Saturday, December 30, 2023

Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Cowboys (-6)

Total/Over-Under: 53.5

The Detroit Lions (11-4) are on their way to AT&T Stadium on Saturday where they will attempt to defeat the Dallas Cowboys (10-5). Dallas is 6-point favorites. The total is 53.5.

The Detroit Lions come into this matchup with a record of 11-4 for this year. The last time they stepped on the gridiron, the Lions went up against the Vikings and took home the win by a score of 30-24. Jared Goff finished 30/40 with 257 yds through the air and 1 TD. He had a QB rating of 99.7 and walked away from the game without throwing an interception. Jahmyr Gibbs was the best rusher for the Lions with 15 carries for 80 yds (5.3 yds per carry). Amon-Ra St. Brown held an average of 8.8 yds per reception by notching 106 yds on 12 catches. The Detroit Lions ran the football 36 times and recorded 143 yds, which came out to an average of 4.0 yards per attempt. At the end of the game, they had 77 plays which converted into 389 yds. Detroit allowed 22 completions on 36 tries for a total of 373 yds, and a completion rate of 61.1%. On the ground, the Lions conceded 17 yards on 11 attempts, which is 1.5 yds per rush allowed.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the Detroit Lions are averaging 27.5 points per game. As a team they're averaging 141.1 yards in the run game which is 3rd in the National Football League. The Lions have earned 5,911 yards in total over the course of this season. Detroit has tallied 201 1st downs as a unit, and they have committed 87 infractions for 788 yds. They have turned the football over 21 times (10 interceptions and 11 fumbles lost). In terms of getting in the endzone, Detroit has amassed 27 touchdowns through the air and 24 touchdowns via the ground.

When talking about passing yards, the Lions have given up 3,523 yards which puts them in 23rd in football. They have relinquished 234.9 yards per game via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 62.3%. In total, they are allowing 325.5 yards/game which ranks them 15th in the league. The opposition is running for an average of 3.7 yards per running attempt and 90.6 rushing yards per contest for the year. Over the course of this year, they have allowed 1,359 yards via the ground game in 15 games. The Lions sit in 24th in the league in relation to the opposition scoring, giving up 23.7 points per game.

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The Cowboys come into this matchup with a record of 10-5 this season. In their last contest, the Cowboys went home defeated by a final of 22-20 when they played the Dolphins. Tony Pollard carried the football 12 times for 38 yards, finishing the contest with 3.2 yds per carry for Dallas. CeeDee Lamb was the top contributor in the passing game for the Cowboys, bringing in 6 balls for 118 yards (19.7 yards per catch). Dak Prescott (2 TDs) finished the game with 253 yards on 20/32 passing while his quarterback rating was 107.9. He didn't toss any interceptions and his average yards per pass attempt was 7.9 yds. Dallas conceded 26 running attempts for 91 yards (3.5 yds per carry). The Cowboys pass defense gave up a completion rate of 64.9%, surrendering 284 yards on 24 for 37 through the air. The Cowboys finished the game with 339 yds while running 61 plays (5.6 yds per play). Dallas ran the football for 3.9 yards per attempt, finishing the game with 97 yds on 25 carries.

When looking at their scoring prowess, the Cowboys are ranking 2nd in football averaging 30.1 PPG. During this campaign so far, the Cowboys currently have a total of 3,765 passing yards in addition to holding an average of 251.0 passing yards per game, which has them ranked 6th in football. They maintain an average of 115.2 yards via the ground game and have toted the ball for 1,728 yards for the season. The Dallas Cowboys average 366.2 yards per contest which is good for 6th in the league. The Dallas offense has totaled 910 penalty yards on 108 infractions, which is 2nd in football in terms of hurting your team. They have tossed 8 interceptions while conceding 5 fumbles and they have recorded 194 first downs.

The Cowboys are allowing 19.1 PPG, which has them ranked 5th of all teams in the league. They have conceded 19 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 184.0 yards per game, which has them ranked 5th in the league. Dallas has conceded a total of 1,735 yards rushing (115.7 yards/game) as well as 13 touchdowns on the ground this season. The Cowboys defense has been on the field for 898 plays, which is good for 4th in the NFL. Their defense has compiled 21 turnovers (8 fumbles recovered and 13 picks) on the year. Overall, they have given up 286 total points.

Who will win tonight's Lions/Cowboys NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Cowboys -6

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