{"id":11013,"date":"2024-10-12T03:44:20","date_gmt":"2024-10-12T03:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.drinkfood.info\/?p=11013"},"modified":"2024-10-12T03:44:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-12T03:44:20","slug":"5-things-to-watch-when-the-cowboys-play-the-lions-on-sunday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.drinkfood.info\/?p=11013","title":{"rendered":"5 things to watch when the Cowboys play the Lions on Sunday!"},"content":{"rendered":"

These are some of the things we are going to be paying close attention to on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n

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The\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u00a0have won six straight games against the\u00a0Detroit Lions\u00a0and on Sunday they will try to make it seven. The Lions are coming off a bye so they\u2019ll be well rested when they stroll into AT&T Stadium. Rest couldn\u2019t come soon enough for the Cowboys as this is a banged up team and their bye week is just around the corner. Before that can happen they\u2019ll have to get through one more game. Here are five things to look for when the Cowboys host the Lions on Sunday.<\/p>\n

1. A tough test ahead for the run defense<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s nice to see the Cowboys\u2019 run defense improve over the last couple of weeks, but the challenge they face this week will be tough. The Lions feature a dynamic tandem of runners in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery provides a consistent punch and Gibbs will hurt you with his explosiveness. Since joining the Lions last year, Montgomery has had the fourth-best rushing success rate while Gibbs has had the sixth-best explosive run rate (courtesy of NextGenStats). These two collectively put up almost 140 yards per game on the ground.<\/p>\n

\"NFL:<\/picture><\/span><\/span>Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images<\/cite><\/span><\/figure>\n

The Cowboys\u2019 defense will have to do a good job clogging the middle and be physical when tackling. If defenders fail to fill voids or miss tackles, this could be a long day for the defense.<\/p>\n

2. Gotta get to Goff<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Lions\u2019 rushing attack is good. They are ranked sixth-best in the league in rushing yards per game. But their passing attack is equally potent. They rank seventh-best in passing yards per game. The Detroit offense will be the most balanced offense the Cowboys have faced this season. There will be challenges on every play.<\/p>\n

The passing attack features good receiving weapons in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta, but their danger level will come down to the guy throwing them the ball. Jared Goff is coming off a game where he didn\u2019t throw a single incomplete pass (18\/18 against the\u00a0Seahawks\u00a0in Week 4). He had it easy. When Goff\u00a0isn\u2019t pressured he has a passer rating of 113.2 since 2023\u00a0which is second in the NFL. However, when he\u2019s pressured that drops to 64.0 (ranked 23rd). The Cowboys can\u2019t afford to let him get comfortable in the pocket.<\/p>\n

This could be troubling for a team that keeps losing its best-pressure guys. With a depleted defensive line (including one of the league\u2019s top pressure guys in Micah Parsons), the Cowboys must find a way to get to Goff. Look for Mike Zimmer to get creative with some added rushers coming from the back seven.<\/p>\n

3. Slow down St. Brown<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Amon-Ra St. Brown has been a problem since entering the league. He\u2019s super slippery in his routes and he always finds a way to get the ball. He\u2019s coming off two straight\u00a0Pro Bowl\u00a0seasons, including a 119-catch, 1,515-yard season a year ago.<\/p>\n

Despite his talent, teams have had success against him this year. He\u2019s had two games under 50 yards receiving which matches his total from all of last year. And the Cowboys just so happen to have one of this year\u2019s top slot corners in Jourdan Lewis.<\/p>\n

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