Lions (11-5) at Cowboys (12-4), 4:40 p.m. FOX
I do not like this matchup for the Cowboys. Dallas has a good running game (though it has not been as good lately) but Detroit is the best in the NFL at stopping the run, giving up just a tad fewer than 70 yards per game. I was elated when I heard that defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was suspended and then downtrodden when I heard he won his appeal. Having him (and Nick Fairley, doubtful with an injury) out of the middle defensive line certainly could have helped Dallas' run game.
The Lions can stop the pass, too (though not as well, ranked 13th), so it is going to be important for Dallas to have balance on offense and at least keep the Lions guessing. Despite not gaining a lot of yardage, the Cowboys kept at the ground game against the Eagles and it kept Philly honest and its offense off the field.
Keeping the Lions offense off the field would be in Dallas' best interest as well. It is not as prolific as the Eagles offense and isn't as dangerous as in years past, but it is always has the potential for big plays, especially though the air with QB Matt Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson, who has dealt with
injuries this season but is probably due a monster game. He had one of those games last year against the Cowboys with 329 yards receiving. With Johnson's injuries, Golden Tate, a good pickup from Seattle, has actually been the Lions' best statistical receiver this year. They also have Reggie Bush in the backfield who can do some things in the passing game. The Lions have not been dangerous on the ground this season and Dallas now has the eighth-ranked rushing defense, so hopefully the Cowboys can focus mostly on stopping Johnson and not worrying too much about the run.
Dallas has been hot in December and despite some matchup problems, it should have a good chance to win. The crowd will be fired up for a home playoff game and the Lions have been nothing special on the road this season. The Lions have won just two road games: at the Jets and at the Bears, two below-.500 teams. Detroit also has a handful of close victories this season: by one point over the Saints, one point over the Falcons, four points over the Dolphins, and two points over the Vikings.
The Cowboys have scored more than 40 points per game in December and despite the tough Detroit defense, I think Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant and company can score enough points to get the win, but I think it will be difficult, grind-it-out game.
Cowboys 23, Lions 21
I do not like this matchup for the Cowboys. Dallas has a good running game (though it has not been as good lately) but Detroit is the best in the NFL at stopping the run, giving up just a tad fewer than 70 yards per game. I was elated when I heard that defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was suspended and then downtrodden when I heard he won his appeal. Having him (and Nick Fairley, doubtful with an injury) out of the middle defensive line certainly could have helped Dallas' run game.
The Lions can stop the pass, too (though not as well, ranked 13th), so it is going to be important for Dallas to have balance on offense and at least keep the Lions guessing. Despite not gaining a lot of yardage, the Cowboys kept at the ground game against the Eagles and it kept Philly honest and its offense off the field.
Keeping the Lions offense off the field would be in Dallas' best interest as well. It is not as prolific as the Eagles offense and isn't as dangerous as in years past, but it is always has the potential for big plays, especially though the air with QB Matt Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson, who has dealt with
Dallas has been hot in December and despite some matchup problems, it should have a good chance to win. The crowd will be fired up for a home playoff game and the Lions have been nothing special on the road this season. The Lions have won just two road games: at the Jets and at the Bears, two below-.500 teams. Detroit also has a handful of close victories this season: by one point over the Saints, one point over the Falcons, four points over the Dolphins, and two points over the Vikings.
The Cowboys have scored more than 40 points per game in December and despite the tough Detroit defense, I think Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant and company can score enough points to get the win, but I think it will be difficult, grind-it-out game.
Cowboys 23, Lions 21
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