We’re down to the final week of the NFL regular season. Although the top seeds in each conference are already set, there is still a myriad of games that have massive playoff implications. Nearly half of all divisions are still up for grabs. The playoffs could look vastly different than they are currently.

The most notable game that Week 18 has to offer is a battle for the AFC East. The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will square off at Hard Rock Stadium. The Bills are coming off a win over the New England Patriots, while the Dolphins endured a 56-19 loss at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. All that adds up to a must-watch matchup in the final week of the regular season.

Seeing as how this is the last week, all 32 teams will play on Sunday. Here are the early odds for all Week 18 games, with odds via DraftKings.

Week 18 schedule and odds:

Saturday, Jan. 6

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens – 4:30 p.m. ET

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Spread: Ravens (-1)Moneyline: Ravens (-118); Steelers (-102)Over/under: 39.5

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts – 8:15 p.m. ET

Spread: Colts (-1.5)Moneyline: Colts (-122); Texans (+102)Over/under: 46

Sunday, Jan. 7

New York Jets @ New England Patriots – 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Patriots (-1.5)Moneyline: Patriots (-122); Jets (+102)Over/under: 36

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints – 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Saints (-3.5)Moneyline: Saints (-175); Falcons (+145)Over/under: 42.5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers – 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Buccaneers (-6)Moneyline: Buccaneers (-238); Panthers (+195)Over/under: 37

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers – 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Packers (-1.5)Moneyline: Packers (-120); Bears (+100)Over/under: 44

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants – 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Eagles (-6.5)Moneyline: Eagles (-270); Giants (+220)Over/under: 46

Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders – 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Cowboys (-13.5)Moneyline: Cowboys (-850); Commanders (+575)Over/under: 59

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans – 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Jaguars (-3.5)Moneyline: Jaguars (-180); Titans (+150)Over/under: 41

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions – 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Lions (-4)Moneyline: Lions (-205); Vikings (+170)Over/under: 44.5

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals – 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Bengals (-4)Moneyline: Bengals (-175); Browns (+145)Over/under: 40

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals – 4:25 p.m. ET

Spread: Seahawks (-3)Moneyline: Seahawks (-155); Cardinals (+130)Over/under: 47

Denver Broncos @ Las Vegas Raiders – 4:25 p.m. ET

Spread: Raiders (-2.5)Moneyline: Raiders (-142); Broncos (+120)Over/under: 38

Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs – 4:25 p.m. ET

Spread: Chargers (-1)Moneyline: Chiefs (-105); Chargers (+115)Over/under: 35.5

Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers – 4:25 p.m. ET

Spread: 49ers (-2.5)Moneyline: 49ers (-148); Rams (+124)Over/under: 44

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins – 8:20 p.m. ET

Spread: Bills (-2.5)Moneyline: Bills (-130); Dolphins (+110)Over/under: 48.5

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Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper appeared to throw a drink toward Jacksonville Jaguars fans in the stands at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville on Sunday.

The Panthers lost, 26-0, dropping the team to 2-14 in what was the franchise’s first shutout loss since 2002. The defeat assured that the Panthers would finish with the worst record of any team in the league this season.

After the game, a video showing Tepper throwing the contents of his cup began circulating on social media.

‘We are aware of the video and have no further comment at this time,’ NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports in an email.

Tepper fired coach Frank Reich in November, just 10 months after hiring him, following the team’s 1-10 start. With the move marking the third time he has dismissed a coach since buying the Panthers in 2018, he pushed back against questions about his patience as an owner.

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“I do have patience. My reputation away from this game is one of extreme patience,” Tepper said in a news conference. “There’s no reason why that doesn’t come here, too. Now, that patience comes with good performance and wanting to see progress made in different aspects.’

For a team that entered Week 17 with a chance to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed, it’s an unfortunate switch of fate. Any chance of doing that, however, would have needed to begin with a road victory against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Instead, Baltimore hung a “fifty-burger,” and the Dolphins lost 56-19. 

The defeat left Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel longing for a time machine, especially after edge rusher Bradley Chubb had to exit the game – already decided – on a cart with a knee injury. 

“When you are as close of a team as we are, and you know the players inside and out, there’s times in football games where it’s not about winning or losing or (if we) can come back,” McDaniel said. “It’s about finishing the football game and having a taste of what our expectations were going into it. The team was very confident in themselves going into the game, with good reason. Our expectations fell very short. Hats off to the Ravens for really taking it to us. The guys were very frustrated.

“It’s a gut check for a football team.” 

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Now the Dolphins will host the Buffalo Bills in the regular-season finale with the AFC East on the line. When the Dolphins began the season 5-1, the Bills were sputtering, the New York Jets had lost Aaron Rodgers to a torn Achilles and the New England Patriots were already showing signs of dishevelment. The division was theirs for the taking. What was once seemingly a certainty is more of a coin flip. 

“I think we came into this game with high hopes of playing the standard that we wanted to play,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. “And when those standards aren’t met, it feels like it’s very disappointing. So, I would say in the locker room, that’s sort of the feel.” 

Miami was already shorthanded offensively with starting running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) and receiver Jaylen Waddle (high ankle sprain) both inactive against Baltimore. Cornerback Xavien Howard left early with a foot injury and required a cart to get to the visitor’s locker room. 

Mostert was upset to be told the Dolphins wouldn’t clear him for game day, McDaniel said, and it took the coach by surprise. 

“There’s so much faith and trust in all of the backs in our running back room that we were excited for the opportunity to try to take this one home for Raheem,” McDaniel said. 

Rookie De’Von Achane took Mostert’s place and started the game with a 23-yard reception. He had a 45-yard rush in the first quarter that set up a Dolphins field goal. Baltimore adjusted, however, and contained the speedy back for the rest of the game. 

Miami had to kick that field goal because Tyreek Hill, who broke his own franchise record for receiving yards in a season during the game, dropped a wide-open touchdown pass. He blamed his concentration. 

“I just have to make that play, man,” Hill said. 

Tagovailoa admitted to pressing and forcing throws when the Dolphins started trailing. 

“Tough not having your star guys out there,” he said. 

He threw two interceptions – one before halftime that provided the Ravens a “two-for-one” scoring opportunity, which they executed, and another on the first play of a drive after the Dolphins forced and recovered a fumble. 

But Tagovailoa said the Dolphins still have everything they want ahead of them.

“I think the trust that we have with one another, even with guys who came earlier in the season, just the camaraderie the guys have with one another, that’s what gives me hope,” he said. “That we can do it with anyone.”

WARNING: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence.

When discussing what is the utterly disastrous and staggeringly tone-deaf decision the Ravens made in honoring Ray Rice on Sunday as a “Legend of the Game,” a Ravens tradition that recognizes a former player for his accomplishments on and off the field, we need to go back in time. We need to go a dimly lit elevator at an Atlantic City hotel. We need to go to a moment that was so brutal it became one of the biggest stories in the country and was even addressed by the President of the United States.

We need to go to this moment so people don’t forget because apparently the Ravens have. Rice and his then fiancée, Janay Palmer, in February of 2014, got into a physical altercation. Rice punched Palmer so hard she was knocked unconscious, hitting her head against the elevator’s handrails.

What happened next would generate a national conversation about domestic violence. Rice was caught on video dragging Palmer from the elevator like she was a sack of potatoes. Video would later emerge of the assault itself inside, but it was the callousness of Rice as he pulled her unconscious body from the elevator that shocked everyone.

Rice was later indicted by a grand jury for third degree aggravated assault. The charges were dropped after Rice, who later married Palmer, agreed to court-supervised counseling. After the NFL massively screwed up how it initially handled the Rice assault, it later suspended Rice indefinitely. An arbitrator overturned the indefinite suspension in May of 2015 but at that point Rice’s career was effectively over. He’d never play in the NFL again.

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That act of violence would become so troubling, it was commented on by President Barack Obama. White House press secretary Josh Earnest released a statement from Obama not long after the initial elevator video became public.

‘The President is the father of two daughters,’ the statement said. ‘And like any American, he believes that domestic violence is contemptible and unacceptable in a civilized society. Hitting a woman is not something a real man does, and that’s true whether or not an act of violence happens in the public eye, or, far too often, behind closed doors. Stopping domestic violence is something that’s bigger than football – and all of us have a responsibility to put a stop to it.’

This is the man the Ravens are honoring as a ‘legend of the game.’

You can think Rice deserves forgiveness. You can believe enough time has passed. You can make any rational defense of Rice you’d like. I’m not here to tell you what to do.

But the Ravens aren’t doing any of that. They are taking the truly despicable step of honoring Rice as a Ravens hero. People can change. Time does shift perspectives. There can be context. Just not in this case. The Ravens aren’t confronting what Rice did. They aren’t acknowledging it. They are ignoring it. They are hoping everyone forgets about that moment and moves on. That’s not going to happen.

This is a totally self-inflicted organizational wound and you can tell the Ravens aren’t even fully into doing it. The announcement didn’t come months or even weeks ago, but almost literally hours ago. It came on the team’s website and in the Ravens’ story about it, Rice’s violence was whitewashed.

‘I truly understand why I was let go and why so many hearts changed. But hopefully people can see where I’m at now,’ Rice told the site. ‘They say people can change, right? I am not the same person I was 10-12 years ago. That’s just not who I am. Every time I stepped on the field, I gave it my all. But I couldn’t say the same for life. Now I’m trying to be the best version of me.’

Maybe he’s not the same person but, again, none of that changes what happened in that elevator, and you just don’t honor someone who did that as a team legend.

“He was also consistently in the community, giving back. Importantly, after Ray’s incident he owned it,” Ravens President Sashi Brown said. “On his own accord, Ray undertook critical work within himself and to bring awareness to and educate others on domestic violence. Nothing will change his past or make it right, but Ray’s work has allowed him to atone for his actions and rebuild relationships personally and professionally, including with the Ravens.”

The Ravens’ decision would be more palatable if in their announcement, the team said it had gotten feedback from domestic violence groups about their plans. Or team officials were made available to the national media to answer questions. In other words, if the team was more transparent.

So, as this happens, and as Rice is celebrated, on what will surely be presented as a wonderful moment in Ravens history, go back in time, to that moment in the elevator, a moment so many of us saw, and remember, and don’t do what the Ravens have apparently done.

Don’t bury it.

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for the 2023 NFL playoffs, they can only hope they get a chance to play at home again. 

Dallas held on to beat the Detroit Lions, 20-19, in a thrilling finish Saturday night to finish a perfect 8-0 at home this season, keeping its hopes of hosting a playoff game alive. 

Dallas has now won 16 straight home games, its most since winning 18 straight home games from 1979-81.

It was far from the usual at AT&T Stadium for the Cowboys, who had averaged 39.9 points per game at home entering Saturday. But while the offense stumbled at times the defense stepped up to neutralize a Lions team that came in with the fifth-best scoring offense in the NFL. The Cowboys defense picked off Jared Goff twice, and was able to stop Detroit from converting a two-point conversion in the final seconds of the game. 

Even though the Cowboys offense didn’t break the scoreboard, it was still a massive day for CeeDee Lamb. The wideout had a career-high 227 receiving yards and a touchdown on 13 catches. He also broke the franchise single-season receiving yards record, formerly held by another famous No. 88: Michael Irvin. 

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The win keeps Dallas’ chances of the No. 1 seed in the NFC alive, while the NFC North champion Lions remain at the No. 3 spot — but their chances of securing the No. 1 seed are all but over. — Jordan Mendoza

Cowboys vs. Lions winners and losers

Winners

Cowboys

Probably can’t call this a ‘get-right game,’ especially with that finish. But after dropping its last two contests on the road, Dallas at least assures it won’t end the season in full-blown meltdown mode. The top wild-card seed and a matchup against the NFC South champion still looks like the most likely outcome, but the Cowboys ensured the Philadelphia Eagles can’t wrap up the NFC East crown this week. 

CeeDee Lamb

He single-handedly carried the passing attack, and therefore the offense as a whole, with his career-best 227 receiving yards. Lamb surely regrets that fumble through the end zone early in the second quarter, but it’s a footnote on a historic night for the No. 1 target. 

Dak Prescott

With the ground game stalled out, Prescott stepped up and shouldered the load, completing 26 of 38 passes for 345 yards. The quarterback wasn’t perfect, but he again delivered in the fourth quarter and repeatedly handled Detroit’s blitzes. 

Aidan Hutchinson

Very nice showing for last season’s runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year, as Hutchinson finished with three sacks after tallying just one in his last five games. His spin move to beat Terence Steele on the final one in the fourth quarter was filthy. 

Losers

Taylor Decker

At first, his catch for what would have been a go-ahead two-point conversion in the final minute looked like it would be a signature moment for the Lions’ longest-tenured player. Instead, he was called for not reporting as an eligible receiver, even though video replays showed him approaching an official before the play. Whatever happened, it’s a decidedly unfortunate outcome for a player who could have gotten his moment in the sun but instead finds himself at the center of yet another officiating controversy.

NFL officiating

How are we here again? In what should have been a showcase of two of the league’s marquee teams and NFC contenders, a frantic finish produces … parsing about whether the officials correctly called which lineman was eligible. 

Jared Goff

Yes, he helped engineer the nine-play, 75-yard drive that set up an opportunity for the Lions to win the game. But Goff also had two costly interceptions that were squarely on him. 

Tony Pollard

It’s not all on the fifth-year running back, but the running game couldn’t get anything going all night, as Pollard posted just 49 yards on 16 carries. With a costly drop, he provided negative value in the passing game.

Lions secondary

Saturday’s performance from the back end didn’t spark a lot of faith in how Detroit’s defense can handle NFC passing attacks. To stay afloat, the Lions are going to need to depend on the pass rush getting home or generating turnovers. — Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

Cowboys vs. Lions highlights

Watch: Jimmy Johnson Ring of Honor ceremony

Final score: Cowboys 20, Lions 19 — Cowboys hang on after Lions go for two …. three times

Dan Campbell doesn’t play for ties.

With no timeouts and facing a touchdown deficit, the Lions were able to get in the end zone with 23 seconds left. Campbell went for the lead, but it was unsuccessful.

The touchdown happened after Jared Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown for an 11-yard touchdown pass, but then came an absolutely wild sequence of events as the Lions went for the two-point conversion.

The first two-point conversion was a successful big man catch by offensive tackle Taylor Decker, but officials ruled he was an ineligible receiver because he never reported, a call that made Campbell livid. The Lions still went for it after the penalty, and didn’t get it, but Cowboys star Micah Parsons jumped offside.

On the third attempt, Goff went left to try and find James Mitchell on the outside, but a bad throw resulted in an incomplete pass.

The Lions went for the onside kick, but CeeDee Lamb recovered to seal a Cowboys win.

Cowboys 20, Lions 13: Cowboys add to lead but leave door open for Lions

Let the Mike McCarthy game management questions begin again.

With the Cowboys facing a second-and-14 from the Detroit 33-yard line, Dak Prescott uncorked a deep pass that went out of bounds. Prescott found Jake Ferguson on third down to force Detroit to burn its final timeout.

Brandon Aubrey booted a 43-yard field goal to extend the lead to 20-13, but the Cowboys left the Lions plenty of time for a possible comeback.

Donovan Wilson makes spectacular diving interception of Jared Goff

Did Cowboys cornerback Donovan Wilson just seal this game? The Lions had a chance to take the lead, but now they might not even get the ball back.

On the second play of Detroit’s drive late in the fourth quarter, Wilson jumped in front of a pass intended for Sam LaPorta and picked it off. It was the second interception Jared Goff threw Saturday, and gives Dallas the ball deep inside Detroit territory just before the two-minute warning.

Aidan Hutchinson steps up again

The Lions’ defensive cornerstone delivered once again in the team’s time of need. 

With the Cowboys driving downfield in the final minutes of the fourth quarter and threatening to extend their 17-13 lead or run out the clock, Hutchinson beat right tackle Terence Steele for his third sack of the night on Dak Prescott.

Hutchinson had just one sack in his five previous games before tying his career high on Saturday.

Cowboys 17, Lions 13: Dallas retakes lead on Dak Prescott-Brandin Cooks TD

Dallas was able to put together its best drive of the day as a touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to Brandin Cooks gave the Cowboys a 17-13 lead with seven minutes remaining.

The Cowboys’ only prior red zone trip of the day resulted in a fumble into the end zone from CeeDee Lamb, but they were able to go down the field with ease this time in a nine play, 75-yard drive. 

Prescott went 5-for-5 with 54 yards on the drive, and he has had another solid performance (23-for-32 for 304 yards and two touchdowns with an interception). Saturday marks his fifth 300-plus yard game of the season.

CeeDee Lamb hits career high

CeeDee Lamb already had the longest gain of his career on Saturday night. Now, he also has a personal-best performance.

The fourth-year receiver set a career high with 194 yards and 11 catches — with plenty of time still left in the fourth quarter.

Lamb’s previous high came against the Eagles last month, with 191 yards on 11 catches in a losing effort.

Why Dak Prescott yells ‘Yeah! Here we go’ before snap

You don’t even have to be an attentive Dallas Cowboys fan to have heard it.

‘YEAH! HERE WE GOOOO.’

This is the start of the cadence quarterback Dak Prescott uses before he initiates offensive plays for the Cowboys. And, with the precision and clarity of sideline microphones and with the booming nature of the way Prescott yells the cadence, you also don’t need to have the volume on your TV cranked up to hear it. — Lorenzo Reyes

Lions 13, Cowboys 10: Lions take the points, lead

After Jameson Williams reeled off a 63-yard catch, Dan Campbell decided not to gamble this time around.

While the Lions have been at the forefront of going for it on fourth down during Campbell’s tenure and gotten first downs on two of three tries earlier in the night, the Lions coach thought better of trying for a first down on fourth-and-3 from the Cowboys’ 7-yard line.

Jared Goff and the offense initially remained on the field, but the unit took a delay of game penalty before Michael Badgley booted a 30-yard field goal.

End of third quarter: Cowboys 10, Lions 10

It’s deadlocked heading into the final quarter, with the Lions in possession as the fourth quarter starts.

The Lions took up a majority of the time in the quarter with a 13-play, 74-yard touchdown drive that took nearly seven-and-a-half minutes. Dallas was able to match the score with Brandon Aubrey’s 51-yard field goal on the ensuing drive.

Dallas has been one of the best teams at home this season, but is on pace for its lowest-scoring game at AT&T Stadium in 2023. The Cowboys have scored at least 30 points in every other home game this season.

Cowboys 10, Lions 10: Brandon Aubrey still perfect

The Cowboys tied the game up again as kicker Brandon Aubrey connected on a 51-yard field goal. Aubrey is now 34-for-34 on field goals in his first season in the NFL.

The key to the Cowboys’ scoring drive was a 14-yard connection from Dak Prescott to WR CeeDee Lamb on third-and-11. The drive fizzled after that, but the completion was just enough to put Aubrey in position.

Cowboys’ Tyler Smith exits with injury

The Cowboys might be dealing with a significant injury on the offensive line.

Guard Tyler Smith went down late in the third quarter, seeming to hold the back of his left leg and heel. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, per the broadcast.

The 2022 first-round pick played in every game for the Cowboys last season, and had played every snap since Week 3 this year after he missed the first two weeks.

Lions 10, Cowboys 7: Detroit regains lead with first touchdown

Dan Campbell continues to go for it on fourth down, and this time it paid off.

After forcing a punt on the opening drive of the second half, Detroit was able to get its first touchdown of the game and retake the lead, 10-7.

After a promising start to the drive, Detroit faced a fourth-and-2 at the Dallas 41, and the offense stayed on the field. The Lions converted, with Jared Goff finding Sam LaPorta for a 4-yard gain.

Detroit was able to get in the red zone, and that’s where David Montgomery took over. He had a 22-yard run early in the drive, and he was able to power through the defensive line and into the end zone for the score.

Montgomery had 44 rushing yards on the 13-play, 74-yard drive that took nearly half of the quarter.

Cowboys 7, Lions 3: Halftime observations

Three key observations at halftime:

Offenses can’t find finishing touch: Both teams combined for nearly 400 yards and 16 first downs in the first half, but CeeDee Lamb’s 92-yard touchdown marked the only trip to the end zone. Each team had a red-zone trip go sideways: Dallas on a fumble through the end zone by Lamb, and Detroit with a stalled drive in a goal-to-go scenario. And three total turnovers have hampered the units’ efforts.Run games haven’t found their legs: The Cowboys have struggled to get anything going on the ground, with Tony Pollard (seven carries, 16 yards) providing little spark for an attack that has relied on Dak Prescott (13-of-17 for 211 yards) to move the ball. But Detroit’s running game also has been held in check outside of a few big gains, with David Montgomery netting just 20 yards on six carries. Ben Johnson’s puzzling showing: The Lions offensive coordinator will no doubt be one of the hottest head-coaching candidates on the market next month. But Johnson opened himself up to criticism in a few different spots in the first half, with the offense managing to convert just two of eight third downs. He’ll need to find ways to put the unit in better spots against Dan Quinn’s opportunistic defense, as Jared Goff has completed just seven of 15 attempts for 81 yards. — Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

Jimmy Johnson inducted into Cowboys’ Ring of Honor

The nostalgia was on full blast at halftime of the Cowboys-Lions game, as former head coach Jimmy Johnson was finally inducted into Dallas’ Ring of Honor.

The two-time Super Bowl-winning coach, surrounded by former players Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, spoke about bringing the franchise back to glory, and thanked Cowboys fans, and even those that despise Cowboys fans.

And it wouldn’t have been a proper ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Famer without his famous tagline:

Lions come up empty after another fourth-down gamble

A big-time decision worked in Dan Campbell’s favor earlier in the drive, but not when points were on the line.

The Lions were able to get to the 2-yard line following a fake punt, but were unable to go forward and faced a fourth down from the 5. Campbell opted to go for it. The Dallas defensive line was able to get pressure on Goff quickly. 

Goff was able to move around, but he couldn’t connect with Sam LaPorta in the back of the end zone, giving Dallas the ball back with no points given up.

Lions get bold, pull off fake punt

Dan Campbell is not scared.

Facing a fourth down at his own 28-yard line, Campbell opted for a fake punt with Jalen Reeves-Maybin scrambling to the right and finding Khalil Dorsey wide open for a 31-yard strike. 

Cowboys squander scoring opportunity as CeeDee Lamb fumbles through end zone

CeeDee Lamb’s first-quarter glory has given way to second-quarter embarrassment.

After Jourdan Lewis’ interception of Jared Goff put the Cowboys in prime position to take a two-score lead, the Cowboys faced a first-and-goal. But with the running game largely stalled, Dallas opted to drop back. Dak Prescott found Lamb for what looked like a would-be touchdown, but the receiver fumbled, and the ball went through the end zone for a touchback.

NFL officials said earlier this month the league would review the rule. But for now, Dallas is feeling the sting of the mistake.

Jared Goff throws interception

Dak Prescott threw an interception in the first quarter, and Jared Goff has done the same to start the second quarter.

The Lions had just gotten into Cowboys territory in the opening minute of the second quarter, and the offense went for a screen pass for David Montgomery. But Jared Goff felt pressure from Osa Odighizuwa and tried to get the ball out quickly. Instead, cornerback Jourdan Lewis was waiting for the ball, and picked off Goff for his first interception of the season. Dallas will now get the ball near midfield in hopes of extending its lead.

End of first quarter: Cowboys 7, Lions 3 — CeeDee Lamb going off early

The MVP-caliber play from Dak Prescott has given Dallas a 7-3 lead after the first 15 minutes. 

Prescott has thrown for 137 yards already, with CeeDee Lamb producing 123 of those yards. This is the second straight week Lamb has ended the first quarter with over 100 receiving yards. 

Outside of the touchdown drive, Dallas’ offense hasn’t been able to do much, and will punt the ball away to Detroit to start the second quarter. The Lions picked up their first points of the game on the opening drive, with Michael Badgley knocking in a 41-yard field goal.

Cowboys 7, Lions 3: Dak Prescott makes magic with incredible TD to CeeDee Lamb

Dak Prescott just had an MVP moment.

Facing third-and-long just outside his own end zone, Prescott faced pressure from the Lions’ blitzing defense, and it looked like he was about to be sacked in the end zone for a safety. 

But Prescott magically got out of the pressure, scrambled to his right and found CeeDee Lamb streaking down the middle of the field. The defender fell, and Lamb waltzed the rest of the way for a 92-yard touchdown.

It was the longest touchdown pass of Prescott’s career, and Lamb’s reception tied the single-season franchise catch mark.

Dallas’ defense swarms Detroit

The Cowboys’ defensive front announced its presence early on Saturday.

Detroit’s attack once again showed an early spark as it moved past midfield on its second drive of the game. But on second-and-4, Micah Parsons burst into the backfield to tackle Jahmyr Gibbs for a 4-yard loss. 

Then, on third-and-8, the unit swarmed Jared Goff, who was dropped for a 7-yard sack by Dorance Armstrong.

Jack Fox then had a 36-yard punt to give the Cowboys the ball on their 11-yard line.

How the Lions’ pass protection holds up is a subplot to watch, as Detroit is 1-3 when giving up three or more sacks in a game. While that number might be inflated by the blowout losses the Lions have suffered, Ben Johnson’s attack is surely looking to stay on schedule against Dan Quinn’s defense.

Lions pick off Dak Prescott

Two mistakes from Dak Prescott and the Detroit Lions have the ball back.

The Cowboys were driving on their opening possession, and Prescott had an open Brandin Cooks running down the middle of the field, but the quarterback overthrew him. On the next play, Prescott scrambled around the pocket and tried to get the ball to CeeDee Lamb on the sideline, but Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu jumped out and got the interception, setting up Detroit at its own 43-yard line. 

It was Melifonwu’s second interception this season, as he had the game-sealing interception of Nick Mullens in last week’s division-clinching win against the Minnesota Vikings.

Lions 3, Cowboys 0: Detroit gets on board first

The Cowboys defense gave up three first downs on the initial drive of the game, but the unit held firm when it counted.

After the Lions marched to the Cowboys’ 23-yard line thanks to several chunk gains — an 11-yard pass to Khalif Raymond, a 23-yard catch-and-run by Amon-Ra St. Brown and an 11-yard run by David Montgomery — Dallas’ defense dropped running back Jahmyr Gibbs for no gain on a third-and-10 play. 

Michael Badgley booted a 41-yard field goal to give Detroit the first score of the game.

What time does Lions vs. Cowboys start?

Lions vs. Cowboys kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 30.

How can I watch Lions vs. Cowboys?

Lions at Cowboys will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The game is also available to stream for free on Fubo.

Lions vs. Cowboys predictions

Lorenzo Reyes: Cowboys 24, Lions 21

Dallas is a pristine 7-0 straight up at home and 6-1 against the spread. The Cowboys have lost and failed to cover two in a row, but those were on the road. The problem is that Detroit is also fighting for playoff seeding and is 6-2 against the spread in road games. I like the Cowboys to win, but six is a big number here.

Tyler Dragon: Cowboys 26, Lions 25

This NFC battle is one of the games of the week. The Cowboys are 7-0 at home and 3-5 on the road. Luckily for the Cowboys, this one is in the comfortable environment of AT&T Stadium. The Lions have scored 72 combined points in two weeks. This one might be a high-scoring affair, but the Cowboys have a better defense.

Safid Deen: Lions 31, Cowboys 27

The Cowboys lost their last two games and already resigned to the idea they might start the postseason on the road this year. The Lions are riding high after their first NFC North title and have a chance to play for the No. 1 seed if they can keep pace with the 49ers. Detroit has more to play for this week, and will upset Dallas at home, handing these Cowboys their first home loss of the season. 

Victoria Hernandez: Cowboys 28, Lions 26

The Cowboys have a lot of factors going for them. They had a real chance of winning on the road with a historic day from CeeDee Lamb last week and are now back home, where they are undefeated. The Lions have their division title wrapped up and will struggle to get things going against this fierce defense. But they keep it close.

Jordan Mendoza: Cowboys 34, Lions 23

Detroit is riding high after finally winning the NFC North, but this matchup screams let-me-down game after the celebrations. Dallas has been a machine at home, and it gets back on track with a clinical performance.

Lions vs. Cowboys odds

The Cowboys enter Saturday as 5.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM NFL odds.

Jimmy Johnson Cowboys Ring of Honor ceremony

Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson will finally enter the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor during a halftime ceremony Saturday night.

Johnson replaced the legendary Tom Landry in 1989 and led the Cowboys from rock bottom to the mountaintop. The Cowboys won back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1992 and 1993 but a strained relationship between Johnson and team owner Jerry Jones led to Johnson’s departure after Super Bowl 28.

Cowboys inactives

Lions inactives

NFC playoff picture

y – 1. San Francisco 49ers (11-4), NFC West champions: Convincing loss Monday drops them into three-way tie with Philly and Detroit in terms of the NFC’s best record. But Niners’ 9-1 mark in conference – including wins over the Eagles and Cowboys – make them best bet to finish first, possibly even this weekend. Remaining schedule: at Commanders, vs. Rams

x – 2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-4), NFC East leaders: Back atop the division, they strengthened their grip on first place by eliminating the Giants on Monday, 24 hours after the Cowboys lost to Miami. The Eagles have guaranteed an opportunity to defend their conference crown but haven’t necessarily looked up to the task as of late. But progress was seemingly achieved on Christmas, when Philly also moved ahead of Detroit thanks to its strength of victory tiebreaker. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, at Giants

y – 3. Detroit Lions (11-4), NFC North champions: A Christmas Eve win secured the Lions’ first-ever NFC North title and first division championship of any kind since 1993 (when Detroit was in the old NFC Central). Still a shot at home-field advantage here. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Vikings

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), NFC South leaders: A fourth win in a row – plus New Orleans’ Week 16 defeat – served the surging Bucs well, and they will put a bow on the division Sunday by beating New Orleans. Remaining schedule: vs. Saints, at Panthers

x – 5. Dallas Cowboys (10-5), wild card No. 1: They’ve lost two in a row, both on the road, and that’s exactly where they seem likely to find themselves once the postseason begins with the Eagles now decidedly in command in the race for the NFC East crown. Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, at Commanders

NFC playoff clinching scenarios

The Lions have clinched the NFC North division title. The 49ers have clinched the NFC West division title.

The Cowboys and Eagles have clinched playoff berths.

➤ Rams clinch playoff berth with:

Win, Seahawks lossWin, Packers-Vikings tie

➤ Eagles clinch NFC East division title with:

Win, Cowboys loss or tieTie, Cowboys loss

➤ 49ers clinch NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, first-round bye and home-field advantage with:

Win, Lions loss, Eagles loss

➤ Seahawks clinch playoff berth with:

Win, Packers-Vikings tie

➤ Buccaneers clinch playoff berth and NFC South division title with:

WinTie, Falcons loss

Lions are NFC North champs for first time

There will be several candidates for NFL Coach of the Year, but Dan Campbell should be a favorite.

Campbell was on the winless Lions team that was 0-16 in 2008 and they finished 3-13-1 in his first season as coach in 2020. Now, the Lions will host a home playoff game for the first time in 30 years.

“I’m proud of everybody. This has been a long time coming,” Campbell said after the Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings to clinch the division.

“Look, I’m proud of all the Lions fans out there that have been dying for this for years, man. That’s for you, too. I know it’s been a long time. You deserve that. And it’s not over. That’s just one.” — Safid Deen

Will Cowboys be starting playoffs on road again?

The Cowboys don’t have much faith in the Arizona Cardinals or New York Giants to beat the Eagles in any of Philadelphia’s remaining games. 

Coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys have to become “road warriors.” Star receiver CeeDee Lamb said the narrative Dallas can’t win on the road is “strange, but true.” And quarterback Dak Prescott says Dallas can go on a road “win streak” when the Cowboys face the Commanders in the season finale. 

The Cowboys were left resigned to the possibility they’ll start the playoffs on the road, after their 22-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins last week, coupled with the Eagles’ win over the Giants on Monday. The Cowboys are now a game back of NFC East-leading Philadelphia, and the Eagles hold the tiebreaker.

Dallas is 3-5 in road games this season, despite owning the NFL’s only undefeated record at home.

Injury reports for Cowboys, Lions

Left tackle Tyron Smith missed the Cowboys’ loss to the Miami Dolphins last week, but he could make his return to action this week. He is officially listed as questionable with a back injury, but he was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.

Dallas will be without running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (knee/ankle).

The Lions, meanwhile, have ruled out defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral), linebacker James Houston (ankle) and tight end Brock Wright (hip), while cornerback Cam Sutton (toe) is questionable.

ARLINGTON, Texas – It took way too long. Jimmy Johnson coached his last game for the Dallas Cowboys by winning a repeat crown with a decisive victory in Super Bowl 28 in early 1994. That’s nearly three decades ago. And it has also been more than three years since Johnson was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On Saturday night, his old boss and former college teammate, Jerry Jones, finally put him in Cowboys’ mystical Ring of Honor.

The nationally televised halftime ceremony, with the crowd roaring at AT&T Stadium, was special enough. Living members of the Ring of Honor, including pillars from Johnson’s teams, welcomed the coach to the club. Emmitt Smith slipped the blue blazer on Johnson’s back. First-class prankster Charles Haley mussed up Johnson’s famous hair. Michael Irvin chanted with Johnson as he bellowed his signature catchphrase: ‘How ’bout those Cowboys?’

Yet for as much as the emotion was palatable and the recognition deserving – even to the point that Jones dipped to bow to Johnson – it was just as much a celebration that an injustice was finally corrected.

For so long, Jones, 81, a Hall of Famer himself as the most powerful owner in the NFL, just wouldn’t give Johnson his due. They parted ways in March 1994 after Jones contended to reporters during a late-night chat at a hotel bar during NFL owners meeting that ‘500 coaches’ could have coached the Cowboys. By then, the relationship was already fractured, seemingly undone by clashing egos and increasing distance. The bombshell from Jones, though, apparently was enough to push it to the point of no return.

That’s why the extended wait for Johnson, 80, to join Tom Landry as the only coaches in the Ring seemed so much like a slap in the face. Jones, as the sole selector for the Ring, made Johnson twist in the wind, and twist, and twist, for decades.

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Psychologically, why was it so difficult to give Johnson credit?

When I asked Jones this during a news conference that had the feel of a fireside chat before the game, Johnson quickly deflected.

‘Can I interrupt here, Jerry?’ Johnson began. ‘I think we’re past who gets credit. The two of us, working together, made history.’

Johnson went on to contend that they talked every single day and that he couldn’t recall them ever having a difference.

Yeah, right.

Then again, you can’t blame Johnson – or Jones – for putting this Ring event into the most positive light as possible.

‘So, the credit needs to go to a lot of people,’ Johnson added, praising his assistant coaches, staff and of course, players.

Letting bygones be bygones, forgiving and forgetting was a good thing after the cloud of discontent continued to hover over their history. Sure, it’s fair to wonder whether the Cowboys – who won three Super Bowls in four years through the 1995 season – would have won a few more Super Bowls had Johnson stayed on board. There is no shortage of Cowboys players, who won that third Super Bowl under Barry Switzer, who will swear that they would have won two or three more.

In any event, Jones and Johnson also deserved their kumbaya moment. At last.

‘This didn’t have to happen,’ Jones said, choosing to pick up on the question. ‘It happened because it was the right thing to do. That’s not a difficulty of credit, it’s just the right thing to do.

‘You say, ‘Why has it lasted so long?’ As it turns out, when you go in, that means you were there all along.’

OK, Jerry. We get it. The moment would not be complete without some ‘Jerryism’ to leave us scratching our heads.

‘I would agree with you,’ Jones added. ‘Somebody could have said, ‘Jerry, couldn’t Jimmy have been in 15 years ago, 20 years ago?’ And you can say whatever you want to about my human reactions or frailties. I’ll say this today: He’s there because it’s the right thing to do. He was getting in, whether I put him in or my kids put him in.’

Johnson, who has maintained a huge NFL presence as an analyst on Fox Sports, maintains that he doesn’t look back. That’s so Jimmy. No regrets. No problem. After all, he pointed out, he was a lot like a gypsy during his coaching career, typically staying on a job for five years or less. Still, he also acknowledged what he might have done differently, considering how his Cowboys tenure ended.

‘For me, the biggest thing was communication,’ he said. 

By the fourth or fifth year with the Cowboys, ‘We kind of got apart to where we didn’t talk every single day.’

Yet now it was Johnson who made it a point to suggest a future member of the Ring of Honor: Jerry Jones.

Aww. The love is flowing on the high road.

NORMAL, Ill. — Kate Popovec-Goss returned to coach the Bradley women’s basketball team on Saturday after serving a 10-game suspension.

Bradley furiously rallied late in its Missouri Valley Conference opener but lost 78-74 to rival Illinois State at CEFCU Arena.

The second-year coach was back on the sidelines for the first time since a season-opening loss on Nov. 6. On Nov. 11, the school announced she was ‘suspended from her duties as head coach’ through the nonconference season.

‘This decision has been made in accordance with the university’s commitment to upholding the values and standards expected of its staff,’ the Nov. 11 release read. ‘Further details will not be disclosed at this time, as the university respects the confidentiality of personnel matters.’

Popovec-Goss did not specify the reason for her suspension. When asked about it Saturday, the coach said she was happy to be back and humbled by the support she has received from her team, the Bradley community and the administration.

‘I’m happy to be back. I’m grateful for the support. I’m grateful that our girls are happy to have me back,’ Popovec-Goss said. ‘I just enjoy this group a lot. You don’t take that for granted as a coach. This job is really hard, and you walk in the gym and you look at your team and you can have fun with them, that’s such a win.

‘That was the hardest part of being away from them: I just genuinely enjoy being with them every day, watching them grow and evolve.’

Popovec-Goss kept tabs on Bradley throughout her suspension, reposting multiple X.com posts from the school and sharing the team’s accomplishments.

Bradley went 4-6 under interim coach Armelia Horton, an assistant hired by Popovec-Goss at the start of her time at BU. That stretch included a win over Central Michigan on Nov. 12, one day after the announcement of Popovec-Goss’ suspension. That win was accompanied online by a video of Horton entering the Bradley locker room and celebrating with the team, along with assistant Ollie Goss, husband of the head coach.

‘Love this team! Emotional last 48 hours and came together to accomplish a TEAM victory,’ Ollie Goss posted on X.com after the win. ‘I’ve never been more proud to coach these PASSIONATE young women.’

On Saturday, Bradley led ISU nearly the entire game until the Redbirds’ experience took over in the final minutes. Bradley made 14 3-pointers overall, including a 7-for-11 effort from freshman Halli Poock — including three 3s in a frantic final 30 seconds that helped nearly erase a seven-point deficit. She finished with 34 points.

Poock said it’s been a challenge to be without Popovec-Goss, especially the coach’s “fire” and “spark.” What’s more, Bradley in that stretch also lost starters Kaylen Nelson and Daija Powell to season-ending injuries.

‘It’s definitely been hard,’ said Poock, who was recruited by Popovec-Goss. ‘There’s been a lot of adversity on our team, but we’ve done a tremendous job of staying together as a team and knowing it’s about us at the end of the day.’

Bradley athletics director Chris Reynolds was in attendance for Popovec’s return to the sidelines and released a statement via email to the Journal Star.

‘We look forward to the start of conference play with Coach Popovec-Goss at the helm,’ Reynolds wrote. ‘Our focus remains on supporting the program as we begin a tough MVC schedule. We are incredibly proud of our team’s effort and execution today versus an experienced Illinois State team.’

Popovec-Goss entered the arena from the locker room about 15 minutes before game time and stood with her coaching staff near one of the baselines. Her team came off the floor, greeted her and she and the team returned to the locker room for a quick pregame meeting.

‘To be welcomed back with open arms was awesome,’ Popovec-Goss said, ‘but I think I’m also proud of them and my staff because we so easily could have shut down during that period, and I think we found a lot of juice toward the end of it. … We have a team, have a staff, have a program that weathered the adversity with a lot of maturity.’

Popovec-Goss said she tries not to “get too caught up in the future. I think it’s day to day” and is just working to develop the program’s identity. BU is now 4-8 this season, already equalling its victory total from the first season under Popovec-Goss (4-28, including 1-19 in the MVC.)

‘I just love my team,’ she said. ‘As a second-year head coach, this first year and a half has been really challenging. I have been hit with a tremendous amount of adversity personally: Ruptured an Achilles, coached on a scooter. Obviously my suspension, but I think what I’ve learned is to just trust myself. Trust who I am. And you want to be able to coach a team that reflects your energy and reflects who you are.’

Popovec-Goss was hired in April 2022 after time as associate head coach and recruiting director at Northwestern. She took over for Andrea Gorski, who retired after 25 years of coaching.

Popovec played at Pittsburgh and Northwestern, then returned to her alma mater as an assistant in 2017. In the spring of 2018, she was named Northwestern’s recruiting and defensive coordinator. The up-and-coming coach was named associate head coach under Joe McKeown at Northwestern in August of 2021 before landing with Bradley for the 2022-23 season.

‘More than anything I’ve learned I have a great group of kids that believe in what we are trying to build at Bradley, and I want to be with them,’ Popovec-Goss said. ‘They’re a joy to be around, and I think being in Year 2, enjoying it and removing some of that pressure for the results. That’s what I talk to my team about all the time. I need to be that same example for them. We’re gonna keep pushing and keep getting better and I’m excited to grow with this group.’