Dallas Cowboys Game Preview: Week 14 at Detroit Lions

Cover photo: CeeDee Lamb against the Detroit Lions in 2023. Photo credit: Elias Valverde II, Dallas Morning News.

The Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) are riding high and head into their Week 14 Thursday night matchup with the Detroit Lions (7-5) as one of the NFL’s hottest teams. Winners of three consecutive games since their bye week, the Cowboys have in successive weeks defeated both of last year’s Super Bowl participants - the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. 

Quarterback Dak Prescott is playing at an exceptional level - second in the NFL in passing yards (3,261), tied for second in passing touchdowns (25), and first in passing yards per game (271.8), completions (303) and QBR (75.3). 

Running back Javonte Williams with 955 yards rushing has surpassed his previous career-high of 903 (rookie year), and George Pickens (1,142 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns) leads the receiving corps. Quinnen Williams has made a noticeable difference on a defense that allowed 58 yards to Kareem Hunt, 22 yards to Saquon Barkley, and 7 to Ashton Jeanty since Williams’ arrival. Jadeveon Clowney, with a hamstring, is questionable to play against the Lions but has been great, especially against the Chiefs when he recorded two sacks (he has four total). He has demonstrated consistent hustle plays. Things could be difficult with the Lions with their banged up offensive line. Penei Sewell, their all-world right tackle, is questionable, as are left tackle Taylor Decker, left guard Kayode Awosika, and center Graham Glasgow. All would be helpful against the Cowboys’ revamped and rejuvenated defensive front. On the Cowboys’ side, left tackle Tyler Guyton and cornerback Trevon Diggs will miss Thursday’s game with injuries. 

Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff has thrown for 3,025 yards on the season and protects the football - 25 touchdowns to five interceptions. A positive for the Cowboys is that Lions’ star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown is not expected to play in Thursday’s game with an ankle. The Lions will have star back Jahmyr Gibbs at their disposal though, who as a dual threat (1,019 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns with 59 catches and 397 yards receiving) is someone that the Cowboys will have to watch for not just in the running game but in the passing game as well. If St. Brown cannot go, then Jameson Williams will be the primary focus for the Cowboys’ secondary, a unit that allowed 23/34 completions from Patrick Mahomes for 261 yards and four touchdowns on Thanksgiving. Rashee Rice was Mahomes’ main target in that game with 8 catches for 92 yards and two scores. 

CeeDee Lamb (7 catches, 112 yards and a touchdown) and Pickens (6 catches, 88 yards) will be of primary concern to a Lions’ secondary that is 17th in the NFL (212.5) in passing yards given up per game. Their run defense is 11th (103.7) and will have to contend with the Cowboys’ 13th overall rushing offense (121.8). Pickens’ 73 catches on the season are tied for seventh, while his 1,142 receiving yards are second and his eight touchdown catches third. 

While the Cowboys possess the NFL’s top offense in terms of yardage (4,717) and yards per game (393.1), the Lions are fourth in total yardage (4,515), and third in yards (376.3). The Cowboys’ passing attack is first (271.3), while the Lions through the air are seventh (238.2). The teams rank second (Cowboys, 29.3) and third (Lions, 29.2) in points per game. 

Both teams are going in opposite directions, with the Cowboys winners of three consecutive while the Lions are 2-3 in their last five after a 5-2 start. 

The Cowboys lead the all-time series between the two clubs, 19-13, and had won six consecutive meetings until Oct. 13 of last season, a game in which the Lions dominated 47-9 in Arlington. On Dec. 30, 2023, the Cowboys prevailed in a home contest 20-19. In that game, Lamb posted a career-high 13 catches for 227 yards and one touchdown. 

Thursday night, expect both offenses to be clicking. Though the Cowboys’ defense has allowed the third fewest rushing yards across the league in the past three weeks, they are still vulnerable through the air. Gibbs and Williams will be the primary focal points if St. Brown cannot go. The Cowboys would be helped tremendously by winning out the remainder of the season, and Thursday is their most challenging game remaining. The Lions, meanwhile, need to get back on track. 

Prediction: Lions 30 Cowboys 28