The Detroit Lions are gearing up for their final game on the road in the 2023 regular season as they prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17. Both teams have secured their spots in the postseason, making this matchup even more important as they vie for division titles.

The Lions, with an impressive 11-4 record, recently clinched the NFC North title, guaranteeing a home playoff game in January. Meanwhile, the Cowboys, at 10-5, are nipping at the heels of the Philadelphia Eagles in their division chase.

Despite the Lions having the superior record and coming off two successive victories, oddsmakers have set the opening betting line at Lions +6.5. The moneyline favors the Cowboys at -278, while the Lions are at +225. The over/under line is set at 53.5 points.

One reason for the seemingly favorable odds for the Cowboys is their impeccable performance at home this season. The team boasts a perfect 7-0 record in their home stadium and has been dominating their opponents by substantial margins. In fact, the Cowboys have scored a minimum of 30 points in every home game, with their only loss at home coming against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Cowboys' striking margin of victory in their wins cannot be ignored. They have repeatedly vanquished their opponents by at least 20 points, with impressive victories over the Jets and Eagles by 20 points, the Rams by 23 points, and the Giants by a whopping 32 points. In addition, they have trounced the Patriots and Commanders by 35 points each.

However, the Lions are not a team to be taken lightly, even with their division title secured. Currently in contention for the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the NFC, the Lions received a glimmer of hope after a Christmas night loss by the San Francisco 49ers. Suddenly, the No. 1 seed in the NFC is within reach for Detroit.

While the Cowboys have stumbled in their last two games, losing to the Bills 31-10 and the Dolphins 22-20, and managing only 30 combined points, the Lions remain motivated to finish the regular season strong. With playoffs just around the corner, this matchup against the Cowboys presents an opportunity for the Lions to further solidify their standing among the NFC elites.

As both teams gear up for this crucial encounter, all eyes will be on the battlefield as they fight for victory and continue to write their playoff narratives. The Lions will aim to showcase their dominance on the road and the Cowboys will look to defend their home streak. Fans can expect a fierce battle between two playoff-bound teams as the regular season reaches its climax.