Wild Card Odds: Detroit vs Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys (12-4) won the NFC East, but they didn’t earn a bye and will have to host the Detroit Lions (11-5) on Sunday. As always, visit Cappers Picks daily for all of our free NFL playoff picks.
Detroit couldn’t win the NFC North, but they’re still in the playoffs. Playing on the road in the wild card round isn’t ideal, but it’s better than being on the outside looking in at this point in the year.
NFL Wild Card Round Picks
Detroit vs Dallas
When: Sunday, Jan 4th 2014 at 4:40pm ET
Where: AT&T Stadium
TV: FOX
NFL Wild Card Gambling Line: Cowboys –6.5
NFL Wild Card Gambling O/U Line: 48 Points
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I’m not convinced that the Lions are that good of a team. They just lost to GB (30-20) and had a 4-game win streak snapped, but during that win streak they only beat Chicago (2X), Minnesota and TB.
Ndamukong Suh had a 1-game suspension overturned, so that’ll really help the Lions. If he didn’t play I’d think the Cowboys would have dominated because Suh is such an important part of the Lions defense.
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Detroit allowed 17.6 PPG (3rd), 231.6 PYPG (13th) and 69.3 RYPG (1st) during the regular season. Dallas will have to test the Lions secondary early and often in order to put up points in this match-up.
If Tony Romo has success through the air it’ll open up running lanes for DeMarco Murray who has shown he doesn’t need much space to break a big run, but if Romo struggles the run game likely will as well.
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Dez Bryant has broken out down the stretch as well and he’ll need to come up big now that it counts for all of the marbles. Dallas is averaging 29.2 PPG (5th), 236.5 PYPG (16th) and 147.1 RYPG (2nd) on offense.
Joique Bell and Reggie Bush have had some good moments this season, but the Lions average 88.9 RYPG (28th). Matthew Stafford will have to lead this offense if Detroit wants to pull off the road upset.
Detroit finished the regular season averaging 20.1 PPG (22nd) and 251.9 PYPG (12th). The weakness on the Cowboys defense is through the air, as Dallas gives up 251.9 PYPG (26th) and 103.1 RYPG (8th).
Oddly the Cowboys are only 4-4 at home compared to undefeated at home, but the Lions are only 4-4 on the road as well.
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Dallas also comes into this game playing much better than the Lions the past month.
Free NFL Picks: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys Prediction
Action is basically split on the point spread and while I hate that the spread is this big I feel that Dallas is the bet at home. Detroit gives up too many big plays through the air and their offense is sluggish.
4* Play On Dallas Cowboys –6.5 (-110)
If Dallas can build up an early lead Murray will be worked hard in the trenches to chew up clock. Detroit typically struggles in these big spots as well, which was evident last week against the Packers.
Check out our Updated NFL Wild Card Odds.
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