Thu Dec 4 11:45am ET
Field Level Media
There is a playoff atmosphere around Detroit as the Lions prepare to play the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on Thursday night.
It's a mixture of excitement and doom surrounding the second consecutive weekday game for teams on the periphery of the NFL playoff picture when kickoff time arrives.
Dallas (6-5-1) remains in a very precarious playoff position despite a three-game winning streak, while injury-riddled Detroit (7-5) is attempting to stop its slide down the NFC standings as the Lions have alternated wins and losses over their past eight games.
ODDS & TRENDS
The Lions are a consensus 3.0-point favorite, essentially due to being at home. With the teams entering this pivotal matchup with a clear difference in momentum of late, the Cowboys have been backed by 64% of the spread-line money at BetRivers.
The favorites have won each of the past eight meetings between these teams, while Detroit has covered the spread in 10 of its past 11 home games following a loss, according to the book. The Lions haven't suffered back-to-back defeats since October 2022.
The 54.5 total points line has seen the Over draw 87% of the money. Each of Dallas' past four road games have hit the Over.
PROP PICKS
--Cowboys WR George Pickens Anytime TD (+112 at BetRivers): Pickens enters with 8 receiving touchdowns, which is tied for third in the league. He has also reached the end zone in four of Dallas' past five road games with opponents forced to pick their poison between Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.
--Lions RB David Montgomery Anytime TD (-105 at DraftKings): The physical back has scored at least one touchdown in five of Detroit's past six games on Thursdays. While that may seem a someone random data point, Montgomery's nose for the end zone is anything but random. He has 6 TDs on the season, including one against Green Bay last Thursday.
KEY STAT
The Cowboys have thrown 26 touchdown passes this season, tied for the second most in the NFL. By contrast, the Lions have allowed 25 touchdowns through the air, third-most in the league. That includes getting torched for four TD passes by Green Bay's Jordan Love just last week.
INSIDE EDGE
Lions linebackers have missed only 9 tackles in 158 opportunities. That is the best rate in the NFL this season, according to Inside Edge's Remarkable engine.
INJURY REPORT
The status of top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown may not be determined until pre-game. Brown suffered an ankle sprain during the first quarter against the Packers when an offensive lineman rolled up on his leg. Brown has a team-leading 75 receptions, 884 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
"I know this, if he can play, he'll play," Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
Considering the Cowboys' explosive passing attack, Brown's availability could be crucial. Making things worse for the Lions is that cornerback Terrion Arnold was placed on injured reserve and ballhawking safety Kerby Joseph (knee) remains sidelined.
Starting offensive tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, who are dealing with shoulder injuries, were among the Lions who didn't practice on Tuesday. Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle) and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (hamstring) missed the Cowboys' practice on Tuesday. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Clowney's gameday status will come down to whether he can fully stretch out without discomfort in pre-game Thursday. He had two sacks against Kansas City.
THE NEWS
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is on a proverbial heater, throwing eight touchdown passes and averaging 314 passing yards during the team's current three-game winning streak. The tandem of Lamb and Pickens is presenting major headaches for defensive coordinators.
They combined for 13 receptions, 200 yards and a touchdown in Dallas' 31-28 Thanksgiving Day win over Kansas City. And no team is giving quarterbacks more time to throw than the Lions (2.99 seconds), according to Next Gen Stats.
Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has been double- and triple-teamed of late, leaving Detroit defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to mix up his pass-rush plans.
"When your name is called, if you draw a one-on-one, you have to win in this league if you want to be around," Sheppard said. "And it's just simple as that."
In the past two games, opposing quarterbacks have seven touchdown passes and 600 total passing yards.
"I don't think we've affected the quarterback to play any style," Sheppard said.
The Lions embarrassed the Cowboys, 47-9, on Dallas' home field last season, adding another element to Thursday's contest. Lamb had 13 receptions for 227 yards and a touchdown against the Lions in 2023.
"We got the better of them and they got the best end of us last year, and that was not a pretty game," Prescott said of the recent rivalry. "I'm definitely looking forward to just getting back out there, going to Detroit, having the group that we have and having to communicate in such a tough environment. But understanding we got to play physical. It's going to be a four-quarter fight."
With some upgrades at the trade deadline, the Cowboys defense has also shown improvement during the streak. Dallas still has plenty of work to do to stay in the postseason race, but sees only one team -- the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) -- with a winning record the rest of the regular season.
"It's going to be physical, it's going to be long, it's going to be hard," Lamb said. "It's a playoff game essentially. You've got the atmosphere, we're playing away, I don't think it gets any better especially with everyone in the whole world understanding the situation as far as us all wanting to be in the playoffs. It's going to be fun. It's going to be a good one."
PLAYOFF PICTURE
Dallas is 3-4-1 in conference games and the Lions are 4-4, making Thursday even more important because of the tiebreaker rules. A head-to-head tiebreaker could become a factor in determining wild-card entries in the NFC. Dallas already lost to the Panthers (7-6) and Bears (9-3), while Detroit beat the Buccaneers (7-5) and lost to the Eagles and split two games against Green Bay.
The Lions have alternated wins and losses since Week 5. Detroit still has regular-season games against Chicago and the Los Angeles Rams (9-3), the teams currently vying for the top seed in the NFC.
THEY SAID IT
--"It's a lot of good momentum, but it don't mean nothing if we don't go out and handle business. We gotta wash all that away, what we did. It's week-to-week, and we got to just keep on proving ourselves, and getting ourselves out of the hole." --Defensive lineman Kenny Clark of the Cowboys' second-half push.
--"You can't worry about the other teams that are out there, the other teams that are in front of you or what it looks like in the NFC. Just can't. And it doesn't matter. And shoot you win out, you might not get in. You don't know. Maybe it only takes 11 (wins) to get in. I don't know. But I know this: we've got to win this one." -- Campbell
PREDICTION
The reinforcements the Cowboys received on defense via the trade deadline and players returning from injuries has been key in upsets of Philadelphia and Kansas City the past two games. With Dallas' scorching passing game going up against a soft pass rush and beleaguered secondary, Dallas keeps its momentum building with a fourth consecutive victory. --Cowboys 34, Lions 27
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) is not practicing on Thursday due to an ankle injury, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Jackson is on the injury report for the second straight week with an ankle injury, and it's concerning that he was downgraded from limited to a DNP this week. The 28-year-old two-time MVP has been limited in each of the last three weeks with ankle, knee, and toe ailments, but he has not missed any games. Jackson might not be in danger of missing a big divisional game this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he'll need to return to practice on Friday. A hamstring injury cost Jackson several games earlier this season, and he just hasn't looked like himself as a runner in 2025. Jackson hasn't scored on the ground since Week 1 and has 31 rushing attempts for 98 yards and no TDs since returning from his hamstring injury in Week 9. He's still a must-start at QB in fantasy, but he's dropped from the elite ranks at the position to the midrange tier going into Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) was not seen practicing in the portion open to the media on Thursday, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Benson has now missed five straight practices, dating back to last week, making it more unlikely that he comes off Injured Reserve to play this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. If the 23-year-old second-year RB misses yet another game, Bam Knight figures to once again do most of the heavy lifting after he had 11 carries for a season-high 62 yards while adding three catches for a season-high 36 yards and a touchdown in the Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Emari Demercado (ankle) is trending in the right direction to return this weekend, though, so he could steal valuable backfield touches from Knight. Benson should be stashed in all fantasy football leagues, but he's running out of time to contribute with the fantasy playoffs looming.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks (ankle) is back at practice on Thursday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Marks did not practice on Wednesday, but head coach DeMeco Ryans said the 24-year-old is expected to be fine to suit up in Week 14 on Sunday Night Football versus the Kansas City Chiefs. With veteran Nick Chubb lacking explosiveness, Marks has been the better upside play in fantasy football in Houston's backfield this year. The fourth-rounder out of USC has had double-digit carries in each of the last seven games, including at least 16 rushing attempts the last three weeks. Marks had a season-high 19 carries in last week's win over the Colts, producing 64 yards while also catching one pass for three yards. The Chiefs aren't an ideal matchup for Marks -- they've allowed only eight TDs to the position all year -- but for the volume alone, Marks is at least a low-end RB2 for fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulders) will not play on Monday night in Week 14 against the hosting Los Angeles Chargers after undergoing a procedure on Monday on both of his shoulders, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN. Carter is undergoing treatment on both of his shoulders and will be considered week-to-week. The former ninth overall pick in 2023 wants to be as close to 100% as possible for a playoff run. Carter is not expected to go on Injured Reserve. The 24-year-old interior defensive lineman has recorded 32 tackles, two sacks, and six pass breakups in his 11 games played for Philly this year. With Carter out for potentially a couple of games, the Eagles will look for Byron Young to step up on their D-line. Carter's injury will be good news for a struggling Chargers' offensive line, although they could still have plenty of issues protecting quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) on Monday night.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine missed two games due to an ankle injury, but he returned in the Thanksgiving night win over the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday and had one fewer carry than starter Chase Brown in the 32-14 victory. Perine surprisingly had a season-high 14 rushing attempts in his return from injury, but he didn't do much with the additional opportunities, gaining just 39 yards on the ground (2.8 yards per carry) while also losing his second fumble of the year. The 30-year-old veteran added two receptions for 15 yards. Now that he's back to full health, Perine should continue to work as Cincy's RB2 behind Brown, but fantasy managers can't bank on him seeing double-digit carries again as the Bengals head into a Week 14 date with the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. At best, Perine is a handcuff for Brown in deeper fantasy football leagues.
From RotoBaller
Six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay informed the Buffalo Bills that he is contemplating retirement and will not report to the team after he was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 34-year-old veteran defensive back was cut by Pittsburgh on Tuesday after he was a healthy scratch in Sunday's loss to the Bills. In 10 games with the Steelers this year, he had 36 tackles (28 solo) and three pass breakups. The Bills were hoping to beef up their secondary with the addition of Slay for the remainder of the season, but it looks like that may not happen now. Buffalo's defense is allowing the fewest passing yards per game (163.2) through 13 weeks of the season. If this is it for Slay, the former second-rounder by the Lions in 2013 out of Mississippi State will finish his 13-year NFL career with 655 tackles (544 solo), one sack, 28 interceptions, and 163 pass breakups in 187 regular-season games with Detroit, Philly, and Pittsburgh.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) had by far his best game of the season in last Thursday's Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions, catching six of his seven targets for a season-high 94 yards and his first two touchdowns of the year. The 24-year-old injured his calf in Week 7 and missed Weeks 8 and 9. He's now listed on Green Bay's Week 14 injury report with an ankle injury, and he was limited in Wednesday's practice. It's something to keep an eye on for fantasy managers who are considering streaming Wicks as a WR4/flex against a Bears defense that has allowed the eighth-most half-PPR points to opposing WRs. Wicks will be very boom/bust as he looks for a second straight big game. Keep in mind that Wicks had not gone over 44 receiving yards in a game this year before his outburst last Thursday. Additionally, both Jayden Reed (foot, shoulder) and rookie Matthew Golden (wrist) may be active in Week 14, which would mean more competition for targets for Wicks.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (hip) is back at practice on Thursday, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN. It's good news for Washington, who was unable to practice on Wednesday after picking up a hip injury in Sunday's win over the Tennessee Titans. The 23-year-old isn't out of the woods just yet, but he'll at least have a chance to play this weekend for a huge divisional matchup against the visiting Indianapolis Colts. The former sixth-rounder caught only one pass for 26 yards in Week 13, a week after going for five catches, 71 yards, and a TD in the Week 12 overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. Washington has had a couple of very nice games for fantasy managers this year and has developed solid chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, but his fantasy ceiling will be lower now that Brian Thomas Jr. has returned from an ankle sprain. If Washington cannot play against Indy, Tim Patrick is expected to serve as the team's WR3 behind Thomas and Jakobi Meyers.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2025 while playing in just five games due to a nagging quad injury. The 30-year-old wideout aggravated his quad injury back in Week 8 and finally made his return in Sunday night's overtime loss to the Denver Broncos. Despite a tough matchup with last year's Defensive Player of the Year, cornerback Patrick Surtain, McLaurin had his best game of the season, catching seven of his 14 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown. He did it while playing just over half of the offensive snaps. It also came with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota running the offense. Three of his seven grabs went for over 15 yards, signaling that Scary Terry might be back when it matters the most in fantasy. McLaurin heads into another tough matchup on the road against the Vikings in Week 14 -- they've allowed the second-fewest half-PPR points to WRs this year -- but he has WR2 upside as Washington's clear WR1.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson got a late start to the 2025 season following a torn ACL that he suffered in the regular-season finale last year. Watson made his debut in the Week 8 win over the Green Bay Packers and caught all four of his targets for a season-high 85 yards. It was a statement that the 26-year-old was back and immediately on the fantasy football radar. He had exactly four targets in each of the next two games, too, before slowly seeing his role grow in the last three contests. Watson has 13 receptions on 22 targets for 175 yards and three TDs in the last three games, culminating in a four-catch, 80-yard, one-TD performance in the Thanksgiving Day win over the Lions last Thursday. He had a season-high 10 targets in that one and is the WR10 in half-PPR scoring over the last three weeks. Jayden Reed's (foot, shoulder) impending return from IR could make life more difficult for Watson the rest of the way, but heading into a Week 14 divisional game against the Bears, Watson has clear WR2 upside for his big-play ability (17.3 yards per catch).
From RotoBaller
Per Pewter Report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) was spotted at practice for a second straight day, although in what capacity he participated had not been divulged. McMillan and veteran Mike Evans (clavicle) each came back from their respective injuries to log a limited practice on Wednesday. While there's likely still a few boxes to be checked regarding their return to in-game action, it's excellent news for the Buccaneers, as their offense is working back to full health. In a loaded WR corps, it's difficult to predict what kind of role McMillan will assume upon his activation. That said, he was productive down the stretch of his rookie season, notching four straight five-catch games, with greater than 50 receiving yards in each. He's on the radar in deep leagues for the time being.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) had surgery on Monday for a metacarpal fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand, in which a plate and screws were put in to stabilize the fracture. Herbert did not practice on Wednesday, but he's expected to be on the field either Thursday or Friday, and he told reporters that he plans to play in Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said he's optimistic that Herbert will be available this week. Ultimately, the 27-year-old's status will depend on how much swelling there is in his surgically repaired hand. If Herbert does play, he might not take any snaps under center at all, and he's likely to play with a protective glove on. Fantasy managers will have a better idea of Herbert's status by Saturday. If he plays, Herbert will be more of a high-end QB2 in fantasy against an Eagles defense that has allowed only 12 passing TDs this year, which is tied for second-fewest in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (clavicle) was seen practicing with the team on Thursday, according to Pewter Report. His status during the session has not yet been detailed. The veteran made his way back to the practice field this week as Tampa Bay gears up for a home clash with the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. Evans hasn't suited up for in-game action since sustaining a fracture in his clavicle back in Week 7, although it appears he's inching closer toward being activated from IR. While the capacity in which he practiced hadn't been divulged, it's encouraging to see him out there for a second straight day. If the 32-year-old is unable to suit up for Week 14's outing with New Orleans, teammates Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Tez Johnson would continue operating in 11 personnel, with Sterling Shepard mixing in as the fourth option.
From RotoBaller
With Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot, shoulder) getting closer to a return from injury, now is an excellent time for fantasy managers to stash the third-year pro if they have room on the bottom of their benches. Reed fractured his clavicle in the early portion of the season and has missed the ensuing ten games while he recovers from surgery. The 25-year-old has been a practice participant for nearly two weeks now, although he's yet to log anything more than a limited session. There will likely be a significant ramp-up period; however, Reed has been a touchdown machine over the previous two seasons and has shown himself to be efficient on limited touches. Even with a dearth of talent in the team's WR room, Reed is worthy of consideration if available, as he could slot back into a premier role in the passing game when fully healthy.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis has steadily accounted for a larger share of the backfield touches over the previous few weeks, supplanting rookie rusher Jaydon Blue as the handcuff to own behind starter Javonte Williams. Davis didn't get his first snaps with the team until Week 7's win over the Commanders, although he's since been an effective runner. While he hasn't eclipsed four touches in a given outing, the 27-year-old's efficiency has improved each week. If he can continue boasting more work, Davis may present some standalone fantasy value down the stretch. However, fantasy managers can't trust him as such just yet, considering Williams has dominated backfield opportunities for the entirety of 2025. Davis is a nice speculative stash in deep leagues, and a must-own for those carrying Williams this late in the campaign.
From RotoBaller
While the Washington Commanders have not yet cleared quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) for contact, there's hope that he'll be able to suit up for Sunday's road outing with the Minnesota Vikings. Despite suffering a gruesome elbow injury back in Week 9, the LSU product has steadily progressed. Daniels has only been able to practice in a limited capacity since returning to the team, and will likely need to log a full session before being cleared to play. However, it's encouraging that the Commanders haven't ruled him out for this weekend's clash, leaving the door open for a return to action. If the second-year pro fails to be active for another contest, veteran Marcus Mariota will again lead the charge against a floundering Minnesota squad. Mariota has been serviceable in the former's stead, but would still be only a low-end streaming option for fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (leg) looked much better in his second game back from a fibula fracture in Week 13, hauling in three of five targets for 78 yards in the 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Godwin suffered a gruesome leg injury in 2024, which affected his early-season play in 2025. The veteran receiver took some time to recover and get back to his normal self before the playoffs, and it paid off in Week 13. With injuries ravaging the Buccaneers' receiving corps, including Godwin, Mike Evans, and Jalen McMillan, the door is open for Godwin to have a role in fantasy lineups this week. The Buccaneers face the New Orleans Saints in Week 14, who Godwin has tormented in his NFL career. In Godwin's last six games against the Saints, he's averaged 95 receiving yards and 20.9 PPR fantasy points per game. With an improved target share moving forward, Godwin is shaping up to be a starting option in Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has completely taken over the starting tight end role since the bye week. In back-to-back games, Fannin has played over 90% of the snaps, while veteran David Njoku has played under 50%. The rookie was able to find the endzone in Week 13, totaling 43 yards on four receptions against the San Francisco 49ers. As rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders enters the fold, Fannin has taken charge as the leading receiving option in the offense, leading the team in receptions and targets in back-to-back weeks. The Browns face the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, who have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. However, with a nice target share and connection with Sanders, Fannin is a TE1 in Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was back in action after a 10-week absence, but he looked as strong as ever while throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bengals to a Thanksgiving night win over the Ravens. Burrow looked sharp for the most part and moved around well, while delivering the ball accurately and avoiding any re-aggravation of his toe injury. He and the Bengals will have to win out to have a shot at the playoffs, but Joe Cool looks ready to resume his regular role as one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the league. Burrow and the Bengals will battle the Bills in Buffalo this week before a rematch with the Ravens. He's a strong option for fantasy lineups, since he'll need to be aggressive, and the Bengals' defense has regularly put the offense in a place where it needs to put up plenty of points this season.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins has quietly built a fantasy starting role in recent weeks. In the past four games, Higgins has hauled in 20 of 28 targets for 200 yards and two touchdowns, including his career high in yardage in Week 13 with C.J. Stroud back under center. While star receiver Nico Collins will continue to handle the bulk of the targets in Houston, Higgins has been a sturdy option as well. The Texans face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14, who just allowed big games to George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb in Week 13. Higgins is a low-end starting option against the defending AFC champions.
From RotoBaller