The opening betting lines for Week 6 have been released and the Detroit Lions are road favorites over the Dallas Cowboys.
For the third time in as many seasons, the Detroit Lions (3-1) are traveling back to Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys (3-2). The Lions are coming off their bye week, looking to return their team to full health, while the Cowboys are coming off a comeback win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Sunday Night Football.”
In the previous two seasons, the Cowboys were favored by nearly a touchdown (7-point favorites in 2022, 6.5 points in 2023), and while the Cowboys delivered wins in both of those games, the most recent was drenched in controversy. This time around, with the Lions looking strong in their most recent game and the Cowboys struggling to find consistency, the good folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook have set the opening betting line for Week 6 at Lions -3 points.
The Cowboys opened the 2024 season with a big win over the Browns, but it’s been downhill from there. They lost to the Saints and Ravens over the next two weeks, then barely snuck by the Giants and Steelers in the ensuing weeks.
Despite throwing for 352 yards and two touchdowns against the Steelers—including a game-winning touchdown with just 20 seconds remaining—it was a very up-and-down game for Dak Prescott. The Cowboys quarterback also threw three interceptions, lost a fumble, was sacked twice, and had six passes broken up, including multiple at the line of scrimmage.
“We talk about it, staying neutral, being resilient, understanding there’s going to be ups and downs, ebbs and flows,” Prescott said to following the game. “We just know who we are. (If) we just stay with it, we can come out with a win. This was a great example.”
Part of the obstacles the Cowboys are facing is that they have been hit by the injury bug of late. They lost defensive pass rushing superstars DeMarcus Lawrence (to injured reserve) and Micah Parsons (out multiple weeks) to injury in Week 4. Then saw rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (who was filling in as a starter) exit during the Steelers game with a minimal-contact knee injury. Additionally, the Cowboys have been without starting cornerback DaRon Bland, who fractured his foot just ahead of the season, and his replacement, rookie Caelen Carson, has missed two consecutive games with an injury. On offense, they’re somewhat healthier, but they did place starting wide receiver Brandin Cooks on injured reserve over the weekend, while starting left tackle, rookie first-round pick Tyler Guyton, was forced from this most recent game.
