Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys predictions: Who wins and why

Free Press sports writers and columnists predict Sunday's game between the Detroit Lions (3-5-1) and Dallas Cowboys (5-4) at 1 p.m. from Ford Field:

Jeff Seidel

The Lions are in a familiar situation: A disappointing, season-ending spiral. No Matthew Stafford. No chance. And that sums up the state of this organization. There’s no reason to think it is gonna get better. Pick: Cowboys 31, Lions 21

Shawn Windsor

The Lions are usually good for a home upset once a year. But without Matthew Stafford, this won’t be that upset. Jeff Driskel played admirably in Chicago last week. He’ll do enough to keep it close for a while. Pick: Cowboys 23, Lions 13

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Dave Birkett

The Lions have lost five of their past six, and seem unlikely to snap that streak Sunday. With Matthew Stafford out for the second straight week, the Lions don’t have enough offense to cover for their leaky defense, and this is a game where they’ll need to score plenty of points. Dak Prescott is having the best year of his career, Ezekiel Elliott should feast on the Lions’ run defense, and if the Lions overcommit to stopping the run they’ll have to deal with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.

For the Lions to win, they’ll need to run the ball to control the clock and keep the turnover bug at bay. I’m not sure they can do either, which is why I think the Cowboys win this going away. Pick: Cowboys 31, Lions 17

Carlos Monarrez

Dallas has a high-flying offense that ranks No. 1 in total yards and a top-10 defense. But the Cowboys have only one win against a team above .500 (Philadelphia). With a week to prepare as the starting quarterback, Jeff Driskel will make this game closer than the blowout loss some might expect from the Lions. Pick: Cowboys 27, Lions 21