Lions WR Jameson Williams explains how his field vision has developed
Williams said that if he catches the ball in the open field, it turns into a touchdown ‘99.999 percent’ of the time, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.
The Detroit Lions are running out of time to turn their season around, but a Thursday night win can help bring them back into the playoff picture.
The Lions (7-5, 3rd in NFC North) are playing the Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1, 2nd in NFC East) on Thursday, Dec. 4, at Ford Field in Detroit. The game will be aired nationally on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service and is scheduled to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Detroit is coming off a crushing 31-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day, a game that saw them slide further down in the NFC playoff race. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have wone their last two games to bring them above .500 for the first time this season and are looking like one of the hottest teams in the NFL.
Watch Thursday Night Football on Prime Video
Detroit has dealt with a wild week of injury news, with the sudden re-retirement of longtime center Frank Ragnow, Kerby Joseph’s injury saga continuing and starting cornerback Terrion Arnold being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder issue. The Lions hope to overcome an elite Dallas passing offense despite the injuries in their secondary, and they’ll need help from their underperforming pass rush to set up their defensive success.
The Lions likely need to win at least four their last five regular-season games to make the playoffs, and if they can’t pull off the win against Dallas, every game for the rest of the season will become must-win for Detroit.
We’ll have all the updates from Ford Field right here:
Lions vs Cowboys live updates
This section will be updated after kickoff.
The Lions won’t be mathematically eliminated if they lose tonight against the Cowboys, but their path to the playoffs will become much more difficult.
Detroit likely needs to reach 11 wins to make the playoffs, meaning they will need to win four out of their last five regular-season games to reach that goal. A loss tonight would make every game a must-win, leaving the Lions no room for error the rest of the way.
In an interview with Prime Video, Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham declared that the Cowboys are going to the Super Bowl.
Right now, the Lions are +1200 to make the Super Bowl per BetMGM, longer than the Pistons’ odds to make the NBA Finals (+500).
If you’re at Ford Field, you might want to stay in your seat at halftime.
Motown legends The Temptations are scheduled to perform at halftime of the Lions-Cowboys game, marking two weeks in a row with Detroit musical luminaries performing at Ford Field.
Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is coming off a prolific game, setting career highs in both catches (seven) and receiving yards (144) in Detroit’s loss to Green Bay. And with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown still possibly dealing with pain in his ankle, Williams might have to be the No. 1 target for quarterback Jared Goff once again.
The Cowboys listed six players on their inactives list, most notably defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who has four sacks over nine games so far in 2025.
The @dallascowboys inactives at Detroit:
#1 Jalen Tolbert (WR)
#23 Jaydon Blue (RB)
#42 Jadeveon Clowney (DE)
#60 Tyler Guyton (T)
#93 Jay Toia (DT)
#99 Perrion Winfrey (DT)
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) December 4, 2025
The Lions have six players listed on the inactive list, including safety Kerby Joseph and offensive lineman Kayode Awosika.
As previously reported, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is active and expected to play.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will be playing against the Cowboys.
Walking off, Amon-Ra St. Brown gave me the thumbs up that he is indeed playing tonight. Did everything in warmups.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 4, 2025
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is currently listed as questionable with an ankle injury, has been warming up on the field ahead of the game running routes, catching passes and trying to play up to game speed.
It’s unclear whether St. Brown will be playing, though he seems to be moving normally.
Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader could play a big role tonight in getting interior pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
But he’s already played a big role in the community with his philanthropy, a big reason why he was the Lions’ club winner for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is in peak form this season, leading all quarterbacks in QBR. He’s got the trash talk to match, too.
Ahead of his game against the Lions tonight, Prescott was asked what he remembers about the last time he played at Ford Field. “That we lit them up,” he responded. “About to do it again.”
The Cowboys will be in their navy uniforms during Thursday’s game with white pants and their classic silver helmets.
Meanwhile, the Lions will be going with the all-white look as temperatures drop below freezing in Detroit.
An already banged-up Lions interior offensive line will be without guard Kayode Awosika, as Detroit has downgraded him from questionable to out with a foot injury.
Awosika had started the previous four games as starter Christian Mahogany recovers from injury. Though not yet clear who would start in his place, Trystan Colon could be an option as starting center Graham Glasgow is expected to return from a one-game absence.
Lions vs Cowboys channel
The Lions-Cowboys matchup will air nationally on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service and locally on both WJBK-TV (Fox 2) in Detroit and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET.TV channel: Prime Video, WJBK-TV (Ch. 2 in metro Detroit only).Streaming: On Prime Video.Location: Ford Field.
With the game broadcasted locally on Fox, Detroit-area fans will also be able to stream the game on Fubo and Amazon’s Prime Video.
Watch Lions vs Cowboys on Fubo
Lions vs Cowboys odds
The Lions are slight favorites against the Cowboys.
Spread: Lions by 3 points.Over/under: 54½ points.Moneyline: Cowboys (+135), Lions (-160).
Odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday afternoon.
Lions vs Cowboys announcers
Amazon’s Prime Video will bring its usual crew to Detroit.
Play-by-play: Al Michaels.Color: Kirk Herbstreit.Sideline: Kaylee Hartung.Lions schedule 2025Week 1: L, 27-13 at Green Bay Packers.Week 2: W, 52-21 vs. Chicago Bears.Week 3: W, 38-30 at Baltimore Ravens.Week 4: W, 34-10 vs. Cleveland Browns.Week 5: W, 37-24 at Cincinnati Bengals.Week 6: L, 30-17 at Kansas City Chiefs.Week 7: W, 24-9 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Week 8: Bye week.Week 9: L, 27-24 vs. Minnesota Vikings.Week 10: W, 44-22 at Washington Commanders.Week 11: L, 16-9 at Philadelphia Eagles.Week 12: W, 34-27 (OT) vs. New York Giants.Week 13: L, 31-24 vs. Green Bay Packers.Week 14, Thursday, Dec. 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video.Week 15, Sunday, Dec. 14: at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m., Fox.Week 16, Sunday, Dec. 21: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m., CBS.Week 17, Thursday, Dec. 25: at Minnesota Vikings, 4:30 p.m., Netflix.Week 18, Saturday/Sunday, Jan. 3-4: at Chicago Bears, TBD.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.