The Dallas Cowboys, some have stated, are the most in-form team in the NFL right now, but that will be put to the test on Thursday night at Ford Field against the Detroit Lions.
At 6-5-1, the Cowboys know there is no margin for error when it comes to making the playoffs, and given the state of the NFC East as well, this is a huge game for Brian Schottenheimer's team.
But the Lions haven't been the "Lions" of late, and have stuttered, along with having a lengthy injury list; it feels like there was a time to get Detroit, it's now.
And as such, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco is picking the Cowboys to roll into Detroit and emerge victorious.
"This is a playoff game," Prisco writes. "Both teams need it in the worst way. Dallas has come alive the past two weeks, while the Lions have been leaking oil. The Cowboys offense should be able to move the football here, while the improved Dallas defense will be able to limit the Lions late to win it. It's close, but the Cowboys take it."
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Cowboys vs. Lions huge for season outlook
The Cowboys will be looking at this Lions game as one that has the potential to set their season up.
If, and that's a big if, the Cowboys do slay the Lions, it would move Schottenheimer's team to within half a game of the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles, who are on the road at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers.
So, this feels like a monster game for Dallas, in terms of the NFC pecking order, as it would then own the tiebreaker over the Lions, and it would move it to within touching distance of the NFC East lead as well.
Buckle up, folks.
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