The Detroit Lions will look to bounce back from a Thanksgiving loss to Green Bay as they welcome the Dallas Cowboys into Ford Field for a primetime matchup. Both Detroit and Dallas are jockeying for playoff position in the NFC, which means tonight's contest has heavy implications for both teams.
Here are five things to watch out for tonight:
1. Handling Dallas' dynamic defensive tackle duo
The Cowboys have revamped the middle of their D-line with All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams and Pro Bowl DT Kenny Clark acquired via trades. Williams' addition at the trade deadline has transformed Dallas' defense into one of the better run-stopping teams in the league over the last month as they've allowed just 69.6 rushing yards per game over their last three games since Williams' arrival.
Together, Williams and Clark have combined for 65 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits and 57 hurries this season. Detroit wants to run the football first and foremost as the base for everything they do offensively. Last week was the first game all season Detroit lost when they rushed for at least 100 yards.
2. Jamo poised for big role
It's unclear if the Lions will have the services of All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle - questionable) tonight. Wide receiver Jameson Williams stepped up in a big way last week after St. Brown left the game in the first quarter, finishing with seven catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.
This is a high-scoring Dallas offense with the best passing game in the league. Detroit will need to keep pace offensively and that means they'll need another big night from Williams, along with Jahmyr Gibbs and their other skill position stars. Dallas' defense ranks 31st in points allowed (28.5), 29th in total defense (376.2) and are 30th against the pass (251.5).
3. Can the Lions generate more pressure?
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said this week his defense isn't affecting the quarterback enough to play the kind of coverage they want to play in the backend. He challenged his front seven to win more of their one-on-one battles and make things tougher on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott than they did Jameis Winston and Jordan Love the last couple weeks.
Sheppard alluded to some personnel and schematic changes. What will that look like? Detroit has just four sacks over their last four games with 2.5 of those generated by the defensive line.
4. Sonic & Knuckles kind of night
The Lions are dealing with injuries at wide receiver and tight end which sets the stage for Gibbs and David Montgomery to really step up and carry the offense on their back with the run game. We've seen time and time again over the last couple years they're very capable of doing so.
Since joining forces in 2023, the duo has played 38 games together. In those games, Gibbs has 3,722 scrimmage yards (2,351 rushing) and 35 touchdowns while Montgomery has totaled 2,757 scrimmage yards (2,211 rushing) and 30 touchdowns. They are the NFL's first running back duo in the Super Bowl era to each rush for 30 touchdowns over any three-season span. If the Lions can establish the run, play at their pace and keep the Cowboys' offense on the sideline, it's a great recipe for success tonight.
5. Limiting the big plays
Dallas has the No. 1 passing offense in the NFL this season thanks to a terrific receiving duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and talented tight end Jake Ferguson. The Cowboys are 3-0-1 when Prescott throws for 300 yards in a game. Dallas ranks in the top 10 in the league in 20-plus-yard completions (37).
Detroit's defense has seen a spike in the number of big plays allowed in the passing game the last few weeks and as a result have allowed the fifth-most completions of 20-plus yards this season with 41. Eight of those have gone for touchdowns, the second most in the NFL.
