December 4th Sports Slate: Playoff Implications Loom Large for Cowboys-Lions TNF, Warriors Clash with 76ers, Avalanche Seek Extended Streak.

The sporting calendar on Thursday, December 4th, presents a compelling lineup across the NFL, NBA, and NHL, with significant playoff implications for several teams. The NFL’s Week 14 kicks off with a pivotal Thursday Night Football clash featuring the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, both battling to solidify their postseason aspirations. Meanwhile, the NBA slate includes a marquee matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers, and the NHL showcases the league-leading Colorado Avalanche aiming to extend an impressive point streak.

NFL: High Stakes in Detroit as Cowboys Face Lions on Thursday Night Football

As the 2025 NFL season enters its crucial final stretch, the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions find themselves in a desperate fight for playoff contention with just five games remaining. The outcome of their Week 14 encounter could severely impact the postseason hopes for either franchise. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast live on Prime Video from Detroit, and available for streaming on Fubo.

The Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) have engineered a remarkable turnaround, surprisingly re-entering the playoff conversation on the back of three consecutive victories. This resurgence includes a hard-fought 31-28 triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13. Dallas currently trails the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles by 1 1/2 games in a competitive NFC East division. Beyond the division title, the Cowboys are also actively pursuing the third wild card spot in the NFC, a position currently held by the San Francisco 49ers, who boast a 9-4 record.

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The Cowboys’ recent form has been particularly impressive since their Week 10 bye. They commenced their winning streak with a dominant performance against the Las Vegas Raiders. This was followed by a dramatic comeback victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, where they erased a 21-point deficit to secure a 24-21 win, demonstrating newfound resilience and offensive firepower. Their latest victory, a narrow edge over the Chiefs, further cemented their status as a team finding its stride at a critical juncture.

Conversely, the Detroit Lions (7-5) have experienced a recent dip in form, having lost three of their last five contests. This inconsistent stretch has seen them fall two games behind the first-place Chicago Bears (9-3) in the NFC North division race. In the wild card hunt, the Lions also sit 1 1/2 games behind the San Francisco 49ers. A loss on Thursday night would undeniably inflict significant damage on both Detroit and Dallas’s postseason chances, making this a near must-win scenario for both teams.

Detroit’s recent struggles include losses to the Eagles and Green Bay Packers. Their lone victory in this turbulent period was an overtime triumph against the New York Giants, a game in which they themselves had to overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, highlighting both their capacity for clutch play and their vulnerability to falling behind.

In the latest consensus NFL odds, the Lions are favored by 3 points against the visiting Cowboys. SportsLine’s projection model, however, offers a dissenting view, favoring the Cowboys to cover the spread at +3 (-109). The model forecasts a tight contest, predicting a 29-27 victory for Detroit. Providing an expert perspective on player props, SportsLine’s Alex Selesnick, who boasts a strong track record (+1090 on his last 74 NFL player prop picks), recommends betting the Under 5.5 receptions for Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson. Selesnick’s rationale points to the challenging nature of securing six receptions in an NFL game, noting that Ferguson has not exceeded five catches in any of his last five outings, suggesting a trend that supports the under.

NBA: Warriors and 76ers Set for East Coast Showdown

A bustling NBA schedule for Thursday features five contests, highlighted by a compelling matchup between the Golden State Warriors (11-11) and the Philadelphia 76ers (11-9). This inter-conference battle tips off at 7 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, with NBA TV providing the national broadcast and Fubo offering streaming options.

The Golden State Warriors embark on a three-game road trip, seeking to improve their away record after a mixed 2-3 homestand. The Warriors have struggled on the road this season, posting a 4-8 record away from Chase Center. However, their previous road trip showed flashes of potential, as they went 3-3, including a notable stretch of three consecutive victories, with two of those wins coming against the San Antonio Spurs. A significant challenge for Golden State in this matchup will be the absence of star guard Stephen Curry, who is sidelined with a quadriceps injury, undoubtedly impacting their offensive firepower and playmaking.

The Philadelphia 76ers, conversely, are concluding a three-game homestand. Their home performance this season has been inconsistent, marked by a 6-6 record at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The 76ers recently endured a four-game losing streak on their home court before snapping it with a victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The team’s injury report lists forward Jimmy Butler as questionable for the game due to a knee injury. His potential absence would be a considerable blow to Philadelphia’s defensive intensity and offensive versatility.

The 76ers are listed as 3.5-point favorites against the Warriors in the latest odds. Despite the Warriors’ road struggles and Curry’s absence, SportsLine’s projection model predicts a close game, with Golden State covering the +3.5 spread in 67% of its simulations. This suggests the model anticipates the Warriors, even shorthanded, will remain competitive. However, SportsLine expert Matt Severance, who has shown profitability on NBA money-line picks (+262.5 on his last 32 picks), leans towards the 76ers winning outright (-162 on the money line). Severance acknowledges the fluidity of NBA lineups, noting that any player could potentially opt out at the last minute, but still sees Philadelphia securing the victory.

NHL: Avalanche Aim to Extend Dominant Streak Against Islanders

The NHL’s Thursday slate features 10 contests, with a spotlight on the league-best Colorado Avalanche (19-1-6) as they visit the New York Islanders (14-10-3). The Avalanche will be looking to extend their remarkable point streak to 18 games, a testament to their season-long dominance. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET from Elmont, N.Y., with coverage available on ESPN+ and streaming via Fubo.

The Colorado Avalanche have established themselves as the premier team in the NHL, showcasing exceptional consistency. Their impressive 14-0-3 record since their lone regulation loss of the season – a 3-2 setback against the Boston Bruins on October 25th – underscores their resilience and offensive prowess. Over their last 13 games, Colorado has secured 12 victories, with their only other non-win during this period coming in a shootout, further illustrating their ability to consistently secure points. Key players such as Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have been instrumental in leading the Avalanche’s high-octane offense and stingy defense.

The New York Islanders, in contrast, have experienced a more challenging stretch recently, having won only two of their last six contests. Their struggles are highlighted by a 1-0 shootout victory over the Seattle Kraken, where they failed to score a goal in regulation, indicating an offensive slump. The Islanders will need a strong defensive performance and improved offensive output to contend with the high-flying Avalanche.

In the betting markets, the Avalanche are heavy favorites on the money line at -194. SportsLine’s projection model aligns with this sentiment, predicting Colorado to win outright in 65% of its simulations. However, SportsLine expert Matt Severance offers an alternative perspective, favoring the Islanders to cover the puck line at +1.5 (-143). Severance’s analysis points to a potential goaltending situation for the Avalanche, as he believes the Islanders will be facing backup goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood instead of Colorado’s usual No. 1 netminder, Scott Wedgewood, who is reportedly dealing with a back injury. A change in net for the league leaders could offer the Islanders a crucial advantage and opportunity to secure a tighter result.