Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) avoids the tackle of Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) during the first half Thursday in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The Detroit Lions will host the Dallas Cowboys tonight and both teams need a win to improve their playoff picture.

Detroit and Dallas are the top two teams in the hunt for an NFC wild-card spot and are holding out hope they can contend for division championships.

The Lions beat the Cowboys 47-9 last season in Dallas. Detroit lost to Green Bay and Dallas beat Kansas City on Thanksgiving.

Dallas (6-5-1) at Detroit (7-5), 7:15 tonight, Amazon Prime.

BetMGM line: Lions by 3.

Against the spread: Cowboys 7-5; Lions 6-6.

Series record: Cowboys lead 19-13.

Last meeting: Lions beat Cowboys 47-9 on Oct. 13, 2024.

Last week: Cowboys beat Chiefs 31-28; Lions lost to Packers 31-24.

Cowboys offense: overall (1), rush (13), pass (1), scoring (2).

Cowboys defense: overall (29), rush (20), pass (30), scoring (31).

Lions offense: overall (3), rush (4), pass (7), scoring (T3).

Lions defense: overall (14), rush (11), pass (T16), scoring (T15).

Turnover differential: Lions plus-5; Cowboys minus-5.

Cowboys player to watch

RB Javonte Williams. The 25-year-old Williams is on the verge of his first 1,000-yard season, entering the week sixth in the NFL with 955 yards rushing. He has gone four consecutive games without a rushing TD after scoring eight in his first eight games in his first season with the Cowboys after playing in Denver for his first four seasons.

Lions player to watch

RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Detroit’s ability, or inability, to establish its running game with Gibbs to set up Jared Goff’s play-action passes is pivotal. When he gains 4.5 yards or more per carry, the Lions are 6-0. When teams have held him to fewer than 4 yards per rushing attempt, Detroit is 1-5.

Key matchup

Detroit’s running game against Dallas’ defense. The Lions have been held to fewer than 100 yards rushing in four games, and lost each one, and had just 119 yards rushing in their loss to Green Bay on Thanksgiving. Detroit is 5-0 when it runs for at least 164 yards. The Cowboys are giving up 124.7 yards rushing a game, ranking 20th in the NFL. They’re 0-3-1 when allowing at least 158 yards rushing. Since acquiring elite run-stopping DT Quinnen Williams from the Jets, Dallas is allowing 69.7 yards rushing per game to rank second in the NFL.

Key injuries

Cowboys: CB Trevon Diggs is expected to play after missing the past six games with a concussion and issues with his knees, including the left knee that has been surgically repaired twice in the past two years. Diggs was initially sidelined by the concussion, which happened in an accident at home. … DE Jadeveon Clowney has been working on the side in practice this week, dealing with a hamstring issue. Clowney, an early season addition, is second on the team with four sacks in nine games, including two of Patrick Mahomes in the win over the Chiefs last Thursday.

Lions: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown left last week’s game with an ankle injury and didn’t practice Monday or Tuesday. … WR/PR Kalif Raymond will miss a second straight game with an ankle injury. … S Kerby Joseph hasn’t played since Oct. 12 with a lingering knee injury. … CB Terrion Arnold went on IR this week and will have season-ending shoulder surgery. … C Graham Glasgow may return after missing last week’s game with a knee injury. … TE Brock Wright will miss a second game in a row with a trachea injury, which might keep him out long term.