Lions vs. Cowboys Picks, Predictions Week 7: Will Detroit Take Advantage of its Bye Week?

Top NFL picks ahead of the Lions-Cowboys Week 7 matchup.
Mike Spector
Mike Spector

Last Updated: October 23, 2022 5:17 AM EDT • 4 minute read

The Detroit Lions are coming off a bye as they look to get back on track in a tough test against the Dallas Cowboys. Check out our top Lions-Cowboys picks for Week 7.

Detroit, 1-4, had a bye last week to hopefully recover from its first loss of the 2022 season. The Lions picked up just one win across their first four games but kept each of the three losses within a one-score margin. They then lost 29-0 at the New England Patriots in Week 5.

The Cowboys won four straight games under backup quarterback Cooper Rush before last week's 26-17 loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles. QB Dak Prescott returns from injury in Week 7.

Check out all of our top NFL picks for Week 7, as well as our best bets!  

Here are our Lions-Cowboys NFL picks ahead of their Week 7 matchup on Sunday (odds via Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, and DraftKings Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Lions vs. Cowboys Game Info

Date: Sunday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Weather: Indoors

Lions vs. Cowboys Odds

Lions vs. Cowboys Odds Analysis

The consensus spread remains at the opening line of Cowboys -6.5 as of Sunday morning. Dallas has drawn 69% of the tickets and cash with Prescott back under center.

The Over/Under opened at 47.5 but has ticked up to 49. Bettors are aligned on the Over with 62% of the tickets accounting for 82% of the handle.

Lions vs. Cowboys Picks

Sbr Betting Ticket Three Picks

Lions vs. Cowboys ATS Pick

Lions +7 (-110) ★★★★

The Lions hold a significant scheduling advantage after coming off a bye. The Cowboys played their most physical game in Week 6, with the Eagles pounding them through 39 rushing attempts.

Dallas should be concerned about a rush defense that's allowed 120-plus yards on the ground four times in 2022. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys' defense responds following the loss to Philadelphia. The unit gave up three touchdowns after entering the week as the only team to cough up one or fewer touchdowns in every game.

On the other side, the Lions should be the healthiest they have been in quite some time. Running back D’Andre Swift and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown are expected back after missing a combined three games. Detroit has played good teams tough, covering the spread in its last five games against foes with a winning record.

Check out our Week 7 ATS pick power rankings

Lions vs. Cowboys O/U Pick

Over 48.5 (-110) ★★

Defensive Player of the year candidate Micah Parsons entered Week 6 with an NFL-high 26 pressures and six sacks through the first five games. But Philadelphia still neutralized him while allowing just one pressure, and the Eagles did so without the club's best offensive lineman Lane Johnson.

Since 2021 up until last week, Parsons had produced the best pressure rate (21%), fourth-best pass rush win rate (24%), and fourth-most sacks (19) of all edge rushers and linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus. One of Detroit’s biggest strengths is its offensive line, and the unit neutralizing Parsons would go a long way toward the Lions' success, and more points coming.

Meanwhile, Dak Prescott looks to be on track to play for the first time since Week 1. Over the last three seasons, the Cowboys have averaged 9.6 more points per game, 94.6 more yards, and 90.5 more passing yards with Prescott under center. Additionally, Prescott's QBR of 62 trumps the 48 collectively from the other passers.

Lastly, Dallas’ 30.7 points per game, 417.5 yards per contest, and 297.2 passing yards under Prescott are the best of any quarterback since 2020 (maximum 20 starts).

Lions vs. Cowboys Prop Pick

Lamb Over receiving yards (Off) ★★★

Expect an eruption from Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has been peppered with 10-plus targets in four straight contests, tied for the most among wide receivers.

Detroit’s defense allows the most total yards (428.6) and points per game (34), and Lamb will once again be the focal point of the Cowboys' passing game. When it becomes available, back Lamb’s receiving yards prop up to 75 yards (his average is 68.2).

Where to Bet on Lions-Cowboys Picks

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Lions-Cowboys picks made 10/20/2022 at 6:32 a.m. ET

Written by:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike leans on his NFL experience and always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”