Lions vs Cowboys NFL Week 7 Picks, Prediction

Lions vs Cowboys NFL Week 7 Picks, Prediction article feature image
Credit:

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) catches a pass. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

  • Dak Prescott returns today as the Cowboys face the Lions.
  • Detroit is a 7-point underdog coming off its bye week.
  • Kody Malstrom previews the game below and makes his betting pick below.

Lions vs. Cowboys Odds

Sunday, Oct. 23
1 p.m. ET
CBS
Lions Odds+7
Cowboys Odds-7
Moneyline+250 / -310
Over/Under48.5
Odds via FanDuel.

Welcome back, Dak Prescott.

Prescott, who has been out since Week 1, makes his much-anticipated return and it couldn't come at a better time for the Cowboys.

Backup quarterback Cooper Rush did everything you could ask for from a backup, but Prescott will provide a much-needed bump in production as the Cowboys offense started to fall flat.

Can the Lions take advantage of a potential rusty Prescott? Or will he remind everyone why he's been considered an elite quarterback over the course of his career?

Let's find out. Here are my Lions vs Cowboys NFL Week 7 picks and predictions, as well as my best bet in Dak Prescott's return.

Lions vs. Cowboys Matchup Analysis

Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how the Lions and Cowboys match up statistically:

Lions vs. Cowboys DVOA Breakdown
Offense
Defense
Edge
Overall DVOA96
Pass DVOA153
Rush DVOA517
Offense
Defense
Edge
Overall DVOA1732
Pass DVOA2132
Rush DVOA631

Lions

Speaking of teams welcoming back players from injury, the Lions have a pair of superstars potentially returning from injury.

Amon-Ra St. Brown returned before the bye week, but it was very apparent he wasn't 100% and his performance spoke for itself. Brown struggled to create separation and finished with four receptions for 18 yards.

D'Andre Swift is listed as questionable, but rumors suggest he'll make his return.

Swift and Jamaal Williams form one of the most lethal running back duos in the league and the Lions will need any weapon they can get against the Cowboys defense.

The injuries proved to be too much in their last game as the Lions were shut out by the Patriots.

Cowboys

While everyone thought their season was over, the Cowboys surprised the nation and posted a winning record in Prescott's absence.

The Cowboys field one of the best defenses in football, which helped keep things steady over the past few weeks.

Rush didn't wow anyone with his arm, but he didn't have to in the first place. I mentioned earlier that Swift and Williams are one of the most lethal running back duos in football, but the Cowboys may have them beat with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.

They will be poised for another big outing as the Lions field one of the worst defenses in football, conceding over 30 points per game in one of the more predictable schemes.

Should Prescott return to form fairly early, the Lions defense will be in for another long night as it will have to find ways to limit the Cowboys both through the air and on the ground.

Betting Picks

While it will be a welcome sight to have Prescott back, rust could play a major factor so expectations should be tempered.

The Cowboys will need to maximize every chance they get on offense because the Lions, when healthy, can score in a flash.

Whether it will be due to conservative calls while Prescott settles back in or uncharacteristically bad reads, Dallas will be susceptible to stalling out on offense, which could help the Lions keep the game close.

The Cowboys defense is elite, but struggles to limit the run at times and could be in for a world of hurt should Swift suit up.

Take the Lions at no lower than +7 in what will be a potential barn burner.

Quickslip: Lions +7 | Play to +7

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