By Blessing 
The NFL is setting the stage for a massive Thursday night showdown as the explosive offenses of the Cowboys and Lions collide in a primetime battle with major postseason stakes. Both teams are pushing for positioning as the season tightens, and the matchup is filled with talented playmakers capable of swinging momentum on any drive.
With the spotlight shining bright and individual stars primed to step up, here are three thoughtfully analyzed prop bets to consider for the highly anticipated clash:
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Prop: To Record 100+ Passing Yards in Each Half (-150, FanDuel Sportsbook)
The Lions’ pass defense has been a mixed bag this season, shaped heavily by injuries. Detroit’s secondary has endured constant shuffling, and the loss of 2024 first-rounder Terrion Arnold to a season-ending shoulder injury adds yet another challenge. Despite those setbacks, the Lions have still managed to hold opponents to a respectable 212.5 passing yards per game and have allowed the second-lowest completion rate (55.2%) of any home team this year.
Even with those solid metrics, Detroit continues to concede big gains through the air. The 11.5 yards per completion they’ve allowed at Ford Field ranks as the fourth-highest mark in the league in that environment. This may be tied to the aggressive game scripts opponents adopt when facing Detroit’s own fast-striking offense, especially at home where shootouts are common.
Prescott, meanwhile, enters this game playing some of the best football of his career. He’s strung together back-to-back 300-yard outings and already has 10 completions of 40+ yards this season — the second-highest total of his career. Given the expected pace and offensive pressure of this matchup, Prescott should again be in attack mode.
The numbers are also in his favor: he’s averaging 139.7 passing yards in the first half and 122.6 in the second half this season. Those splits firmly support the prop of 100 or more passing yards in each half.
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Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Prop: Over 35.5 Receiving Yards (-114, FanDuel Sportsbook)
Jahmyr Gibbs’ receiving role may take on elevated importance Thursday night, particularly with Amon-Ra St. Brown questionable due to an ankle injury. St. Brown is trending toward a game-time decision, and any limitation or absence increases Gibbs’ potential workload. Regardless of ARSB’s status, this number remains within reach for the explosive second-year back.
Gibbs is averaging 4.3 receptions and 33.1 receiving yards per game, which already puts him near the threshold. With Dallas improving its interior run defense — thanks to Kenny Clark’s increased comfort and key additions like Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson — the Lions may be funneled into more pass-catching opportunities out of the backfield.
The Cowboys still allow solid production to receiving backs, giving up 5.2 catches and 44.7 receiving yards per game to the position. Gibbs has topped 33 receiving yards four times and reached the 30–32 range in three other matchups, showing a consistent floor.
If St. Brown is limited or misses the game entirely, the prop becomes even stronger. ARSB averages a heavy 9.7 targets in full games, and Gibbs is one of the primary options to absorb some of that volume. As one of Jared Goff’s most dynamic weapons alongside Jameson Williams, Gibbs is likely to see a meaningful role in the passing game.
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George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Prop: Over 77.5 Receiving Yards (-115, BetRivers Sportsbook)
Adding to the Prescott analysis, George Pickens’ receiving prop aligns perfectly with the expectation that Dallas’ passing game will remain active throughout the night. Pickens has been a standout addition and, at times, even more dependable than CeeDee Lamb when both are available. Through 12 games, he’s already posted a career-best stat line of 73-1,142-8 on 105 targets.
Pickens is producing at elite efficiency levels. He’s averaging 10.9 yards per target, owns a career-high 69.5% catch rate, and leads with 2.68 yards per route run. He has recorded at least 78 receiving yards in seven consecutive games and is averaging a strong 112.1 receiving yards during that stretch. The Prescott–Pickens chemistry has built quickly, as Pickens has dipped below nine targets in only three contests all season.
Detroit’s recent defensive trends also elevate the value of this prop. Over their last three games, the Lions have allowed an NFL-high 14.8 yards per completion, a sign of worsening coverage breakdowns. Detroit is leaning heavily on man coverage — 44.2% of snaps on the season and an NFL-high 51.5% in the last three games. Pickens thrives against man, averaging 3.1 yards per route and an even better 3.5 on the road.
Combine that with the fact that Detroit faces a 58.1% pass rate at home and Dallas throws the ball on 58.7% of its road snaps, and Pickens should see more than enough opportunity to clear this receiving total.