2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 7

Detroit Lions (1-3) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-2)

Sunday, October 23, 1:00 PM ET

If ever there was a perfect game for Dak Prescott to return to the lineup, this is it. The Detroit Lions’ defense is historically bad, allowing 34 points per game through their first four. The Detroit offense has been very fun to watch, but they ran into an absolute brick wall in New England before the bye week, getting shut out in a 29-0 loss.

That was ugly, and it left a horrendous taste in their mouths, no question. How will the Lions respond coming back from the bye with a matchup against the league’s no. 4 overall scoring defense and one of the best pass rush units in the game right now?

Especially if Dak Prescott is returning to the lineup, this might be one of the easiest picks of the week. Other than just taking a shot in the dark — which I’ve certainly done in my picks before — I don’t think there’s any logical reason to pick the Lions in this game unless you simply feel it’s going to be a shootout between these two teams that Jared Goff will win.

The Cowboys are coming off of a tough loss to a divisional opponent, they are getting their starting quarterback back — presumably –, and they have arguably the league’s top overall defensive player in Micah Parsons. Before the Eagles broke the game open with a late drive on Sunday night, Dallas was actually hanging in there really tough with Cooper Rush under center.

Not to diminish what Rush has brought to the table, but this Cowboys team should be able to make quick work of the Lions even if Prescott is a little rusty coming back. The Lions might have some moments offensively but I’m betting on that pass rush getting to Jared Goff early and often.

Prediction: Cowboys win 31-23