With the margin for error gone and the postseason door barely cracked open, the Lions and Cowboys enter Thursday night’s showdown with one simple truth hanging over them: win, or start packing for the offseason.
The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys square off in a win-or-go-home divisional-round playoff matchup Thursday night at Ford Field, with the winner advancing and the loser heading home. The Lions (7-5) limp in after a lopsided Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers, while the Cowboys (6-5-16) ride momentum from a convincing Thanksgiving victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. Eastern on Amazon Prime Video.
Here are three bold predictions for what could be a high-scoring affair:
1. Jameson Williams eclipses 175 receiving yards, setting a new career high
Williams is coming off a career-best 144-yard performance against Green Bay at Ford Field and appears primed for an even bigger night. The fourth-year wideout torched Dallas for 76 yards on just three catches last season, a gaudy 25.3 yards per reception. The Cowboys enter the game allowing the third-most passing yards per game (251.5) in the NFL this season.
A major variable is the status of All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who missed practice Monday with an ankle injury and is questionable for Thursday. If St. Brown is ruled out, Williams instantly becomes Jared Goff’s clear No. 1 option. Dallas also ranks 31st in points allowed (28.5 per game), setting the stage for Detroit to air it out early and often. Williams was on pace for more than 170 yards in the first half alone against the Packers before finishing with 144 on a 10 targets, the second most of his career. Another heavy dose of looks against a vulnerable secondary could push him past 175.
2. Isaac Teslaa scores twice in a breakout performance
Teslaa has flown under the radar for most of his rookie season, hauling in just six receptions. Three of those, however, have gone for touchdowns, a perfect 50% red-zone conversion rate on his limited opportunities. With tight ends Sam LaPorta (knee) and Brock Wright (trachea) both sidelined, and St. Brown’s status uncertain, Goff will need secondary options Thursday night.
The Cowboys have surrendered an NFL-high 28 passing touchdowns this season and rank 29th with only five interceptions. Detroit’s top playmakers, Williams and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, will command most of the defensive attention, potentially leaving Teslaa in favorable one-on-one matchups near the goal line. Goff has shown a willingness to spread the ball when his top targets draw extra coverage, and Teslaa’s 6-foot-4 frame makes him a natural red-zone weapon. Two scores from the rookie would mark the biggest game of his young career.
3. Jared Goff throws for 300-plus yards in a likely shootout
Goff shredded Dallas for 315 yards in last season’s 47-9 Lions victory and has eclipsed 300 yards twice already in 2025, including once at Ford Field. The ingredients are there again: an over/under of 54.5 points — the highest on the Week 16 slate — signals Vegas expects plenty of points. Detroit’s defense has surrendered 31 points to Green Bay and 27 to the New York Giants in its last two games, meaning the Lions will likely need to match scores to keep pace.
Dallas ranks dead last in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert 48.2% of the time, which should help Detroit sustain drives and rack up yardage. The Cowboys also have just five interceptions all season, giving Goff extra possessions and reducing the risk of turnovers. If Williams approaches 175 yards and Teslaa finds the end zone twice, 300 passing yards for Goff becomes almost a formality in what projects to be a pass-heavy script.
The Lions and Cowboys both need this victory to keep playoff hopes alive in tightly bunched NFC divisions. With two shaky defenses on display, expect an offensive explosion Thursday night. Detroit’s passing attack, led by Goff and an ascending Williams, could be the difference in a game that lives up to its sky-high point total.