Lions vs. Cowboys Picks, Predictions, Best Bets: Cowboys to Cover the Spread

Lions vs. Cowboys Picks, Predictions, Best Bets: Cowboys to Cover the Spread article feature image
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Action Network/Getty Images. Pictured: Jared Goff (left) and Dak Prescott.

The Detroit Lions (3-1) and Dallas Cowboys (3-2) will square off in the late NFL Week 6 Sunday afternoon slate. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on FOX. The game can be streamed on YouTube TV and other streaming services.

The Lions are consensus 3.5-point favorites over the Cowboys on the spread (Lions -3.5), with the over/under currently set at 52.5 points. Detroit is -185 to win outright on the moneyline, while Dallas is +153 to pull off the upset.

Lions QB Jared Goff is averaging 8.2 yards per attempt, while Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have run for a combined 7 touchdowns, with Detroit having its bye in Week 5. The Cowboys won 20-17 over the Steelers last week. Dak Prescott has thrown for eight touchdowns and four interceptions this season, and he leads the NFL with 1,424 passing yards.

Let's get into my Lions vs. Cowboys prediction and my NFL picks and predictions for Sunday.

Lions vs. Cowboys Prediction

My Cowboys vs. Lions best bet is on the home underdog to cover the spread at +3, with the market now up to Dallas +3.5. For all of your NFL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NFL odds page.

My pick: Cowboys +3.5 (Bet to +3)


Lions vs. Cowboys Odds

Lions Logo
Sunday, Oct 13
4:25 p.m. ET
FOX
Cowboys Logo
Lions Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
-3.5
-105
52.5
-112o / -108u
-175
Cowboys Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
+3.5
-115
52.5
-112o / -108u
+145
Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NFL odds here.
DraftKings Logo
  • Lions vs. Cowboys spread: Lions -3
  • Lions vs. Cowboys over/under: 52.5 points
  • Lions vs. Cowboys moneyline: Lions -185, Cowboys +153
  • Lions vs. Cowboys pick: Cowboys +3.5 (Bet to +3)

Spread

I don't think the Cowboys should be getting three points here, so I'm taking them and betting the home underdog. If you shop around, you can find Cowboys +3.5.

Moneyline

My bet is on the spread, and I'm not touching the moneyline.

Over/Under

I'm in line with the total for this game, which should be high-scoring.

Lions vs. Cowboys Betting Trends to Know

  • 71% of bets and 71% of the money are on the Lions to cover the spread.
  • 68% of bets and 75% of the money are on the over.
  • 69% of bets and 78% of the money on the moneyline are on the Lions.

Lions vs. Cowboys Start Time, Channel, Streaming

Location:AT&T Stadium
Date:Sunday, Oct. 13
Kickoff Time:4:25 p.m. ET
TV / Streaming:FOX / YouTube TV

Cowboys vs. Lions is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET start time, live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, Oct. 13. The game is airing live on FOX and is streaming on YouTube TV.

Lions vs. Cowboys NFL Week 6 Preview

Ideally, find this one at Cowboys +3.5. I’d even buy the hook to Cowboys +3.5 at -125 if needed. I just can’t get to Cowboys +3, and I’d pay a bit to get +3.5 — although right now, we can get the best number at DK.

The Cowboys defense is a mess with injuries taking a huge chunk out of the defensive line. The Lions should have success running the ball, but that doesn’t make up for other aspects of this matchup.

The Lions defense is still really bad, especially in the secondary. I don’t expect the Cowboys to run the ball well against anybody, especially against a Lions defense that's strong up front, but this is a great matchup for the passing game to get going.

Despite my pessimism regarding the Cowboys’ run game, they changed up some of their run-blocking schemes last week against the Steelers. I think those adjustments were more conducive to what this line and backfield will do well, so maybe there’s a bit more potential there than I’m giving the Cowboys credit for.

This pick is all about the Cowboys' passing game, though.

Detroit wants to play man coverage – it’s simply how that defense operates. You know who carves up man coverage? Prescott. I think Dallas can match the Detroit offense score for score.

The Cowboys also have a special teams advantage here that is worth noting. If you’re already catching three points at home, it’s significant.

You’re going to be starting at your own 30-yard line, and Dallas has to travel less of the field to get in field-goal range than its opponents. Brandon Aubrey is a weapon, especially when playing indoors. The Cowboys don’t have to cross midfield to score. He’s going to hit a 70-yard field goal at some point.

I get that the Lions are going to have success running the ball, but I'll take the better quarterback. Goff is coming off his perfect 18-for-18 game on Monday night in Week 4, but that Seahawks defense was gassed and missing key starters.

I’m expecting a back-and-forth affair and am taking the points.

Pick: Cowboys to cover the spread (Bet to +3)

NFL Weather

This game is being played indoors, so weather shouldn't be a factor, other than the glare that often happens at JerryWorld. This was a test. You passed.

Get the latest coverage on NFL Weather.

About the Author
Stuckey is a senior betting analyst at Action Network, focusing on college football, college basketball, and the NFL. He hosts The Action Network Podcast and co-hosts the Big Bets on Campus podcast with Collin Wilson and Brett McMurphy. Stuckey was Action Network’s first content hire in 2017, helping launch their award-winning app, and continues to work closely with their development team. A CFA Charterholder, Stuckey has been betting since 2003 and has a background as a derivatives analyst in the financial industry. He holds an MBA from George Washington University.

Follow Stuckey @Stuckey2 on Twitter/X.

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