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All signs point to Detroit on TNF
Playoff futures are at stake tonight as the Cowboys (+3) meet the Lions in the NFL Week 14 opener.
If the season ended today, neither team would make the playoffs. The Lions’ chances improve to 59 percent with a win, but drop to 22 percent with a loss. The Cowboys are staring at 31 percent vs. 6 percent.
When Steve Makinen’s NFL Analytics Report arrived, I pumped all the trends, betting systems and power ratings into ChatGPT to see what Best Bets would be generated.
And it just so happens that tonight’s game is at the top of the list.
According to Steve’s data and ChatGPT analysis, this is why:
This game has massive system alignment — it’s rare when almost everything points the same way.
✓ Strong Team Trends
Lions 26-13-1 ATS at home since 2021
Lions 22-10-1 ATS vs winning teams
Lions 14-0 SU / 13-1 ATS off a loss
Dallas trends against winning teams are poor (Dak 19-36 ATS vs winning teams)
✓ Major PTD System Alignments
System #15: Better-record fav of ≥3 pts — PLAY DETROIT
System #16: Home team w/ +4 win edge, favored <7 — 77.8% ATS! → PLAY DETROIT
TNF late-season home advantage: PLAY DETROIT
✓ Power Ratings Consensus
Makinen Power Ratings: DET -3 should be -6.2
Effective Strength Ratings: DET -3 should be -6.5
Bettors Ratings: DET -3 should be -8.7 (!!)
✓ Head-to-Head Exception
Series has a road-team ATS trend favoring Dallas, but it is overwhelmed by all the Detroit signals.
Best Bet: Lions -3.
Steve will file his Best Bets later today, so we’ll see if he feels the same way.
More TNF stories and resources
👉 Zach Cohen’s game preview with his Best Bets
👉 Dave Tuley’s take on this game and all the others
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits
>Fantasy Points WR/CB Matchup Tool
>Injury Report: The Lions have four offensive linemen and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown all listed as questionable.
>Follow live in-game odds from FanDuel
>VSiN Pro subscribers have access to our NFL picks page with plays from hosts and guests.
Everything we do on NFL Week 14 will be posted here.
Early Saturday CFB previews
VSiN.com managing editor Adam Burke has posted his analysis and top plays for Saturday’s conference championships:
Big 12: BYU vs. Texas Tech (Arlington), Noon ET
MAC: Miami (Ohio) vs. Western Michigan (Detroit), Noon ET
SEC: Georgia vs. Alabama (Atlanta), 4 ET
ACC: Duke vs. Virginia (Charlotte), 8 ET
Big Ten: Indiana vs. Ohio State (Indianapolis), 8 ET
If you missed his previews for Friday’s games, you can find them and everything we do on Championship Weekend here.
Break-up near for Giannis, Bucks?
I’m sure Zach Cohen will be ready to weigh in on today’s Hardwood Handicappers podcast on the news that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are in discussions about his future with the team.
Zach’s Best Bets column and Steve Makinen‘s Analytics Report will hit around mid-morning on our NBA page.
Our Opta AI NBA player props projections are here.
New on VSiN.com: Follow the live in-game odds from FanDuel.
Quick Hits
College Basketball: Greg Peterson has nine Best Bets for today’s menu, including one on a midnight ET game in Hawaii! Adam Burke will offer his top plays Monday-Saturday. You can find them on our college basketball page mid-morning.
Get real-time steam alerts from the DonBest Screen. Sign up now for a 7-day free trial at go.donbest.com. Use the promo code VSIN10 for 10% off your initial subscription.
NHL: VSiN hockey analyst Jonathan Davis will post his Best Bets around mid-day.
