The Detroit Lions (7-5) and Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) are clawing to get back into the postseason and their Thursday night meeting at Ford Field may define the rest of the season for each team.

A win keeps either team in the hunt of a crowded NFC playoff field, while a loss just about removes any remaining margin for error to reach the playoffs.

The Cowboys are coming in with the momentum on three straight wins behind a much-improved defense and one of the most explosive offenses in the league, while the Lions have struggled to string together wins consistently, landing them third in the NFC North.

Here are score predictions for Detroit’s home matchup with the Cowboys from MLive’s beat writers:

Ben Raven

Talk about tough ones to call. I still believe in Dan Campbell’s ability to get a lot out of what’s left of this roster. But Amon-Ra St. Brown’s status is up in the air on top of everything else that’s happened during a strange, tough week in Allen Park.

Still, the Lions have made it nearly impossible not to hold onto a little faith over the last few years. But the interior offensive line is a weakness, and the Cowboys thrive through their DL. The Lions haven’t been able to generate meaningful pressure for the last four games, and it’s sunk their heavy man coverage scheme and defense. Dak Prescott is cooking with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, and that’s very bad news with Detroit’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

It’s just one of those matchups where the Cowboys are clicking where the Lions are struggling right now. It’s hard to pick them with how they’ve looked and where they’re banged up compared to where the Cowboys are right now.

Prediction: Cowboys 31, Lions 27

Kory Woods

In the words of a famous wrestling announcer, “the streak is over.” Week 14 will finally bring an end to the Lions’ uncanny ability to avoid back-to-back losses — a run that dates to Week 8 of the 2022 season — as they face a surging Dallas Cowboys team.

There are simply too many injuries to key players on both sides of the ball (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Terrion Arnold, Kerby Joseph) for Detroit to overcome. The Cowboys’ acquisition of Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams has turned their defensive front into a force to be reckoned with, and the expected return of Trevon Diggs only strengthens their secondary.

Offensively, Dallas presents an equally daunting challenge. The receiver duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens — catching passes from a dialed-in Dak Prescott — poses a significant threat to a Lions secondary that has surrendered more than 650 passing yards and seven touchdowns over the past two weeks.

Prediction: Cowboys 35, Lions 17

Jacob Richman

The Lions are kings of the comeback and I just can’t pick against them until this streak finally comes to an end. Dallas clearly is hitting its rhythm, while Detroit’s roster is marred by injuries and just aren’t playing at the same level as the last few seasons.

I am certainly losing confidence in Detroit’s ability to mount a run at the playoffs, but with a pattern of trading off wins and losses for eight straight games, it’s hard to bet against them in this particular game.

As a Dallas native, I’ve also seen the Cowboys time and again build momentum only to have a big let down in a key moment. With their playoff aspirations starting to come back, it would be a classic result for them to drop a road game that, arguably, they should win handily.

Prediction: Lions 27, Cowboys 24

Here are some additional predictions from national media for the Lions-Cowboys game:

Pick: Cowboys

“This is a playoff game. 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.”

Pick: Cowboys (majority)

Pick: Lions

“Both teams are in the thick of the NFC playoff hunt. Dallas has allowed 69.7 rushing yards per game through a three-game winning streak. Detroit is at home and in desperation mode in the NFC North. The Lions have allowed 29 points per game in their last three home games. ”

Pick: Lions (majority)

“The Lions have been rather unreliable as of late, losing two of their last three. But I think, at home, this presents the chance for them to get their offense back on track against a Cowboys defense that has been better, but can be vulnerable. Jahmyr Gibbs could be in line for a huge day.”

Pick: Cowboys (majority)

Pick: Cowboys

“With the Detroit Lions missing Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown in Week 14, an offense that has averaged just 22.3 points per game in the last three weeks may not have the firepower necessary to keep up with the Dallas Cowboys. It also doesn’t help that Detroit’s defense has surrendered 9 passing touchdowns, 237 passing yards per game, and a 105.6 QB rating over the last month. With how hot the Dallas Cowboys offense is right now, this seems like bad timing for the Lions and a recipe for a home loss to the Cowboys.”