After a 31-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, the Detroit Lions (7-5) wrap up a three-home game stretch by hosting the Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) on Thursday Night Football. The Cowboys are looking for their fourth straight win, while the Lions once again look to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since October 2022.
Last week: The Cowboys defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28 on Thanksgiving Day.
History: Dallas leads the all-time series against Detroit 19-13. In their most recent matchup in October 2024, Detroit handed Dallas its worst loss of the season in Arlington, 47-9.
Storyline to watch: With both teams currently outside of the playoff picture, Thursday's primetime matchup at Ford Field has major implications.
Dallas opened the 2025 season 1-2-1 but enters Week 14 on a three-game winning streak, sitting right behind Detroit at No. 9 in the NFC rankings.
The Cowboys' offense is a big factor in their current success, ranking No. 1 in both total offense (393.1) and passing offense (271.3). The Lions' defense has struggled with consistency, ranking No. 14 in total defense (316.2) and No. 16 in passing defense (212.5).
Both teams are in a must-win situation and are prepared for a fight come Thursday.
"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 playoff," Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said. "We've won, we've proved it to ourselves we could do it three times in a row, why not make it four?"
Next up:
- The Lions travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, December 14 at 4:25 p.m.
- The Cowboys head home to AT&T Stadium to host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 14 at 8:20 p.m.
View photos of the starters for the Dallas Cowboys.
Head Coach: Brian Schottenheimer
Offensive Coordinator: Klayton Adams
Defensive Coordinator: Matt Eberflus
Special Teams Coordinator: Nick Sorensen
(AP Photo/Kevin Sabitus)
QB Dak Prescott
Backed up by Joe Milton III
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
RB Javonte Williams
Backed up by Jaydon Blue
(AP Photo/Cooper Neill)
WR CeeDee Lamb
Backed up by Jonathan Mingo
(AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
WR George Pickens
Backed up by Ryan Flournoy
(AP Photo/David Becker)
WR KaVontae Turpin
Backed up by Jalen Tolbert
(AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
TE Jake Ferguson
Backed up by Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford
(AP Photo/Todd Rosenberg)
LT Tyler Guyton
Backed up by Nate Thomas
(AP Photo/Brooke Sutton)
LG Tyler Smith
Backed up by T.J. Bass
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
C Cooper Beebe
Backed up by Brock Hoffman
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
RG Tyler Booker
Backed up by T.J. Bass
(AP Photo/Brooke Sutton)
RT Terence Steele
Backed up by Hakeem Adeniji
(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
FB Hunter Luepke
(AP Photo/Brooke Sutton)
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Backed up Jadeveon Clowney and Sam Williams
(AP Photo/Cooper Neill)
DT Kenny Clark
Backed up by Solomon Thomas
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
DT Quinnen Williams
Backed up by Perrion Winfrey
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
DT Osa Odighizuwa
Backed up by Jay Toia
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Backed up by James Houston
(AP Photo/Logan Bowles)
LB Kenneth Murray Jr.
Backed up by Logan Wilson and Marist Liufau
(AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
LB DeMarvion Overshown
Backed up by Shemar James
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
CB Shavon Revel Jr.
Backed up C.J. Goodwin
(AP Photo/Cooper Neill)
NCB Reddy Steward
(AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)
CB DaRon Bland
Backed up by Trikweze Bridges and Caelen Carson
(AP Photo/Greg Trott)
S Donovan Wilson
Backed up by Alijah Clark
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
S Malik Hooker
Backed up by Markquese Bell
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
K Brandon Aubrey
(AP Photo/James D. Smith)
P/H Bryan Anger
(AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
LS Trent Sieg
(AP Photo/James D. Smith)
KOR KaVontae Turpin
Backed up by Juanyeh Thomas and Jaydon Blue
(AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
PR KaVontae Turpin
Backed up by Jalen Tolbert
(AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Here are five Cowboys storylines to follow into Thursday's matchup:
1. WR Lamb on bounce back performance, upcoming 'playoff game' vs. Lions
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb views Thursday's game against the Lions as, essentially, a 'playoff game' given the stakes. READ MORE.
2. QB Prescott, Cowboys ready for 'four-quarter fight' vs. Lions
Both the Cowboys and the Lions are viewing their upcoming matchup as a must win with playoff implications, and Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is preparing for a dogfight in Detroit. READ MORE.
3. DT Williams & DT Odighizuwa on Cowboys' run defense resurgence
Since the trade deadline, the Cowboys have allowed the third-lowest rushing yards in the NFL after being a bottom-five unit to start the year. READ MORE.
4. CB Diggs feels '100% better,' hopes to play vs. Lions
Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs returned to practice on Sunday, and is hoping to play Thursday against the Lions in Detroit. READ MORE.
5. HC Schottenheimer press conference: Reset, refocus
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer speaks with media before Sunday's practice as the Cowboys prepare for their Thursday night game on the road against the Detroit Lions. WATCH.
