Are we whistling in the graveyard here?

[Redball Express]

Detroit has repeatedly been a bad matchup for us..

and the defense has been embarrassing at best against Stafford.

I think we have to be very leary of this game..

we can't talk SB until we erase the failures of the past against Detroit..

what say you guys.

Can we really make a 4 game winning streak hold up?

 

[pugilist]

yeah i'm not sure why some are thinking we'll put up 40 or more on what was for the majority of the season, the best defense in the NFL. It's going to be a tough, hard fought game. Could come down to whomever has the ball last..

I think Detroit really struggled in the cold at Lambeau and will be able to really get their offense going in an indoor stadium (which is much like their own at home)

 

[wconn1979]

Detroit has repeatedly been a bad matchup for us..

and the defense has been embarrassing at best against Stafford.

I think we have to be very leary of this game..

we can't talk SB until we erase the failures of the past against Detroit..

what say you guys.

Can we really make a 4 game winning streak hold up?

I must have missed playing them this year.

 

[jazzcat22]

Why does everyone say the Lions are a bad matchup. Seems we did ok until the last minute last year.
And we are definitely better this year.
I don't see a huge improvement in the Lions offense, and the defense is better though.

There was a report earlier today on NFLN. Lions offense is averaging 5 points less per game, but their defense is giving up 6 points less. So basically a wash. And they haven't seen our OL yet.
Our OL has seen some good DL's though.

 

[Doomsday101]

Detroit has repeatedly been a bad matchup for us..

and the defense has been embarrassing at best against Stafford.

I think we have to be very leary of this game..

we can't talk SB until we erase the failures of the past against Detroit..

what say you guys.

Can we really make a 4 game winning streak hold up?

I think Det is a dangerous team and Dallas will have to play very good ball if they are to win this game. I don't see this as some easy game but I do think if the Cowboys play their own game they will win this game

 

[Staubacher]

We put up 30+

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Detroit has repeatedly been a bad matchup for us..

and the defense has been embarrassing at best against Stafford.

I think we have to be very leary of this game..

we can't talk SB until we erase the failures of the past against Detroit..

what say you guys.

Can we really make a 4 game winning streak hold up?

I think this team has been doing that, Redball.

They were embarrassed by Seattle a few years ago, Chicago last year, and Washington and Philly this year. What have they done? They have come back and taken the fight to each of those teams and won. I see the same scenario for Detroit.

 

[Redball Express]

I must have missed playing them this year.

No.

You are about to see them up close Sunday.

They have played just as strong as we have.

This is going to be a nervous game if you ask me.

The difference MUST be the home crowd if we are to win..IMO.

 

[Doomsday101]

No.

You are about to see them up close Sunday.

They have played just as strong as we have.

This is going to be a nervous game if you ask me.

The difference MUST be the home crowd if we are to win..IMO.

It will be the execution more than anything else. Home has not been much of a factor for this team.

 

[gimmesix]

No.

You are about to see them up close Sunday.

They have played just as strong as we have.

This is going to be a nervous game if you ask me.

The difference MUST be the home crowd if we are to win..IMO.

It seems like their offense hasn't been as good this year, but when I look at Stafford's numbers, they are similar to last year's. He's thrown fewer passes, but his completion percentage and yards per are practically the same. The one thing that stands out is the number of times he's been sacked (45 compared to 23 in 2013); that's a pretty drastic difference. Hopefully, the pass rush we've been getting the past few games and keep on coming and make a difference in this one.

 

[DenCWBY]

I think this team has been doing that, Redball.

They were embarrassed by Seattle a few years ago, Chicago last year, and Washington and Philly this year. What have they done? They have come back and taken the fight to each of those teams and won. I see the same scenario for Detroit.

This. The revenge tour carries forward. We have a chip on our shoulder be it "last years worst defense" or for some of those frustrating losses we took in prior years. The difference is attitude, stronger fights in trenches and unlike anytime before, we are finishing games instead of fading in the 4th. Lastly, Romo is focused and making better decisions. I know there are no statistics that go with these reasons but we're a significantly improved team. The lions have some talent but they are inconsistent and impatient. They are capable but will have to play on all cylinders to keep up with us. This is a win.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Yes, we are whistling in the graveyard. I'd rather be one of the twelve teams alive and whistling than any of the 20 other teams dead and buried in the 2014 NFL graveyard.

 

[LandryFan]

Detroit has repeatedly been a bad matchup for us..

and the defense has been embarrassing at best against Stafford.

I think we have to be very leary of this game..

we can't talk SB until we erase the failures of the past against Detroit..

what say you guys.

Can we really make a 4 game winning streak hold up?

Some fans, in their minds, may be whistling past the graveyard, but I'm pretty sure this team isn't, and they're the ones that matter. This team, IMO, is the most confident group of players I've seen since the 90's glory days. Does that guarantee a win? Of course not. But I'll tell you right now this team isn't scared of Detroit or anybody else in the playoffs. It may seem cliché, but this team is getting hot at the right time. Their last four games haven't been close. The defense is my concern, but they seem to be playing better with each passing game. This has been an unexpectedly fun ride, and I am just going to continue to enjoy it until it ends. I am confident they'll play their hearts out, and that's really all anyone can ask of them.

 

[Sarge]

Detroits offense has bee stuck in second gear all year. It's gonna cost them here.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Detroit has repeatedly been a bad matchup for us..

and the defense has been embarrassing at best against Stafford.

I think we have to be very leary of this game..

we can't talk SB until we erase the failures of the past against Detroit..

what say you guys.

Can we really make a 4 game winning streak hold up?

After many minutes of analysis and delibrations and thinking, I half reached the conclusion that, yes we can if we win.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

No.

You are about to see them up close Sunday.

They have played just as strong as we have.

This is going to be a nervous game if you ask me.

The difference MUST be the home crowd if we are to win..IMO.

They have absolutely not played just as strong as "we" have.

Lions have a 3.75 point differential in their last 4 games. The Cowboys have beat their last 4 opponents by 87 points.

The Lions have a single quality win this season. At home against the Packers in Week 3. The Cowboys beat the Seahawks, Eagles and Colts. There are definitely reasons for worry, but it's hard to argue that these teams are in a similar place right now.

 

[Seven]

Rushmen........better bring their A game.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Stafford is 0-16 on the road vs teams with a winning record. Pair that with the fact that Dallas is playing some of the best offensive football in league history and is peaking right now AND playing tough, scrappy team defense....

And I think we win by 14 points.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Detroit has repeatedly been a bad matchup for us..

and the defense has been embarrassing at best against Stafford.

I think we have to be very leary of this game..

we can't talk SB until we erase the failures of the past against Detroit..

what say you guys.

Can we really make a 4 game winning streak hold up?

Yes, also if our secondary can get hep from the linebackers and the safeties also can help by not blitzing and nodding and indeed heping the corners.

 

[DFWJC]

Detroit has repeatedly been a bad matchup for us..

and the defense has been embarrassing at best against Stafford.

I think we have to be very leary of this game..

we can't talk SB until we erase the failures of the past against Detroit..

what say you guys.

Can we really make a 4 game winning streak hold up?

We can....and will.
I do think the matchup will make it a dogfight though.

I predict that Murray, Romo, and Dez will be below their season averages.
And vs the last month Dallas will score at least 10 points less than it has been averaging....but that is still about 28-30 points.
The defense just has to hold them to less than that.
A few takeaways would be nice.