Week 14 begins with a major “Thursday Night Football” matchup with significant NFC playoff implications as the Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) travel to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions (7-5) in primetime. Both teams are just outside the postseason picture, ranked eighth and ninth in the conference, respectively, each needing a win to stay in the hunt.
The Cowboys were considered disappointments just a month ago, but after three straight wins, Dallas’ season has gained new energy. Jerry Jones’ team is coming off impressive back-to-back victories over last year’s Super Bowl contenders. They narrowly beat the Chiefs and Eagles in recent weeks, and now they aim for four straight wins when they face the Lions on TNF.
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Overall, Dallas has won three in a row, and Dak Prescott has been exceptional, completing over 69% of his passes for 942 yards, 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
After beginning 4-1, Detroit has traded wins and losses nearly every week over the past couple of months and is now fighting to return to the playoff hunt. Last week’s loss to Green Bay was a setback, hurting them in both the division and conference standings, and two failed fourth-down attempts for the traditionally aggressive Dan Campbell-led offense had a big impact on the outcome.
Luckily, they’ll have wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown available for Thursday night, officially active for the matchup after suffering an ankle injury on Thanksgiving. It’s a big break for the Lions, who are already without star tight end Sam LaPorta, who is considered unlikely to play again this year with a back injury.
Cowboys-Lions start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field | Detroit, Michigan
TV channel, live stream: Amazon Prime Video, NFL+
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Cowboys and Lions kick off the Week 14 game slate:
Live9 updates
Andy Backstrom
After not practicing all week with an ankle injury he suffered during a Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown got the green light to play Thursday night versus the Dallas Cowboys.
And on the first play from scrimmage, St. Brown reeled in a pass for a 7-yard gain.
Kate Magdziuk
Get your TVs set! The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions kick off live from Ford Field at 8:15 p.m. ET, airing live on Prime Video and NFL+!
Scott Pianowski
Fireworks are expected at Ford Field, with a 54.5 total set for the Lions and Cowboys. Here are three fantasy angles to keep in mind as you watch the game.
Will Dak Prescott keep cooking for the Cowboys? Dallas had a run-heavy tint in the red zone during the first half of the year, but Prescott has been steering the ship since the bye. Prescott charted as the QB3, QB3 and QB6 the last three weeks, with Dallas winning each game. The Lions just lost key CB Terrion Arnold, so the secondary can be had.
Is this another smash spot for Jameson Williams? Williams has been mostly boom but occasionally bust in recent games — he has four touchdowns in six starts, but went catchless in the other two games. Williams had his busiest day of the year on Thanksgiving (7-144-1), immediately prioritized after Amon-Ra St. Brown was injured. St. Brown will likely miss tonight’s game.
How much is left for Jake Ferguson? The Dallas passing game is routed through CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and that’s held Ferguson back in recent weeks (he’s the TE23 since Week 8). Fantasy managers probably view Ferguson as a touchdown-or-bust option, even in a matchup where points are expected.
Check out more of Scott’s work at the Yahoo Sports fantasy hub.
Kate Magdziuk
Thu, December 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM PST
Michael Fiddle
Looking to bet on Thursday night’s matchup? Here’s one player prop bet to consider:
Javonte Williams over 15.5 rush attempts (-130)
Williams started this season very hot, and his continued dominance of the Cowboys’ backfield has remained.
In recent weeks, his rush attempts have seen a surge. His last three games: 17, 20 and 22 attempts. Williams sits at 955 total yards this season and likely eclipses the 1,000 mark in this game against the Lions, who are 11th in rushing yards allowed.
No matter the level of competition, Williams has thrived this year. Going against top-10 run defenses, Williams has averaged 20.5 attempts, 126 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game.
Because of the possible game script, the Cowboys’ scoring, a fast-paced game and some concern about the Lions’ offense, the Cowboys might find themselves with a run script. This is worth a half-unit play as well.
Thu, December 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM PST
Andrew Siciliano, Jori Epstein
Kate Magdziuk
Kate Magdziuk
The Detroit Lions appeared likely to be without two of their top pass-catchers in Week 14.
But that’s apparently not the case, as star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is officially active for Week 14 after suffering an ankle injury on Thanksgiving.
The two-time All-Pro currently leads the team with 75 catches, 884 receiving yards and 9 receiving touchdowns.
It’s unclear if he’ll be on a limited snap count, but if he is limited at all, expect another hefty dose of Jameson Williams, who had a season-high 10 targets, 7 receptions and 144 receiving yards in Week 13 after St. Brown went down early with the injury.
Kate Magdziuk
With less than 90 minutes remaining until the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions kick off on “Thursday Night Football,” each team has announced its Week 14 inactives for gameday.
Here’s a look:
Cowboys inactivesLions inactives