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NFC Game Of The Week
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
Lions: They did it! Okay, before I start, let me ask you this: How old were you the last time they won their division? Don’t worry, this is a safe space and a judge-free zone. I won’t say anything. Now that I got that out of the way, let’s talk about the world back then the last time we could call them division champions. Michael Jordan retired at the peak of his career after winning his third consecutive NBA title, gas was only 65 cents a gallon, Will Smith was known as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, George H.W. Bush was in the final days of his presidency and Bill Clinton was President-Elect. That’s just some of all that’s happened since the last time the Lions were division champions. Now, let’s talk about the present. They’ve earned this and were the favorites amongst many to win the NFC North. The Vikings definitely took a step back and they lost Kirk Cousins, the Packers are in year one of the Jordan Love era and the Bears, well, they’re still in Chicago. I knew this was a special group back in the finale last season against the Green Bay Packers which ended up being Aaron Rodgers’ final game as a member of the NFC North and you saw the potential in week one against the Kansas City Chiefs when they beat them. I see a football team that would run through a brick wall for Dan Campbell. He was my pick to win Coach of the Year this season and I think it’s his award to lose at this point. He helped lead this group to their first NFC North division title. The last time they won the division, it was called the NFC Central (Yes, I took it back). The Lions have sights set on bigger goals and on Saturday night, they will make a trip to Jerry World.
Cowboys: These last two weeks should show you why I haven’t trusted them and you shouldn’t either. Their fans better not fix their mouths to say anything to me, because I will end it before they can start. This is always the trend with them. They win a big game just as they did against the Philadelphia Eagles and come back to reality a week later just as they did agains the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. The one thing I was really looking forward to seeing in the game against the Miami Dolphins was how they’d come out the gates. What I mean by that is their energy and those early seconds of the game can tell you all you need to know. In the first quarter, they were very aggressive in moving the ball down the field and fed CeeDee Lamb the ball. Let me paint this picture for you. CeeDee had four receptions in the first quarter, including a touchdown! In the final three quarters of the game, he had only two receptions and when people see this stat line, they will say, “Oh, Jalen Ramsey locked him down”. Not necessarily and I say that because the Cowboys have a consistent habit of getting away what works for them. I may sound like a broken record player, but this defense is truly title caliber. First, it’s a homegrown unit meaning they were built up in the draft, next, they want to play fast and downhill along with rushing the passer which they do and lastly, they have a solid secondary, even without their best player in Trevon Diggs, they’ve managed to play well as a unit. They also have a red zone issue and you saw that on full display on Sunday in Florida. Every time they were near the red area, they didn’t come away with points. All of the offensive inconsistencies are going to be the reason why they won’t make it past the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs. I won’t deny the fact they’re a good football team. They just tend to get a little too cute at times. They return home Saturday for a huge game in the NFC.
Lions X-Factor: David Montgomery– You saw it against the Bills in week 15 and you saw flashes of it in week 16 against the Dolphins. The formula to attacking a stingy defense is to run it right at them. Set the tone and let them know what type of game it’ll be. Physical football teams don’t like when you give them a taste of their own medicine. If you consistently run the ball, the Cowboys can be had and that’s where I see David being a crucial piece on Saturday night. David can tote the football between the tackles and outside when he’s fed the ball.
Cowboys X-Factor: Jake Ferguson- I watched him closely in college and I like what he’s becoming in this Dallas offense. Look back at past Dallas offenses, they’ve always had a consistent Tight End. Jake is that safety valve for Dak Prescott. He’s coming to be that vertical threat that the Quarterback can find to help push the ball up the field. At 6’5 and 244 pounds, Jake is quick off the snap of the ball and knows how to position himself to get open. Where do the Cowboys like to attack the field as an offense? The middle!
Final Thoughts: This is a big game for both teams. The Lions somehow could end up with the number one seed in the playoffs and the Cowboys have clinched a playoff spot, but come postseason time, will they be a wild card team or NFC East champion. The Lions are an impressive 6-2 on the road and the Cowboys are a much different football team at home compared to the road. These two Quarterbacks will forever be linked to one another as they were both drafted in 2016. I’m expecting Dallas to be aggressive early on here. Their offense will look to attack any chance they can get. As for Detroit, getting Dak in long yardage situations is key. Force him to take a shot or two down the field and offensively, get your running game going. That seems to be the kryptonite of the Dallas defense. We should be excited for some Saturday night football. I like Dallas at home to get back on track here.
Prediction: Cowboys 29, Lions 21
