Scouting the Lions

[plasticman]

We'll call this one the Confirmation Bowl.

If Dowdle, Tolbert, Wheat, and Golston can repeat last Sunday's performance then they must be legit.

For Mazi, a third straight game of tangible contributions would have to change a lot of opinions.

Luepke and Turpin must continue to make some plays.

If this should all come to fruition, then the bye could create enough recharging for them to come out swinging with healthier starters and well earned confidence.

 

[stiletto]

Detroit should handle Dallas this time but if some confidence rises up from the Pittsburgh game, the Lions may get a good game. Still think the Lions win though. They have too many weapons for our Defense.

 

[Hardline]

I bet if the Lions try to win the game on a two point conversion they will make dang sure the refs know who the eligible receiver is.

 

[Buzzbait]

What if we win by 2 or 3 scores.

The truth? I'll be happily and jaw droppingly amazed!
But nevertheless, I think Detroit is better than that, and I think we are worse than we were last year. But if we beat Detroit, we just might make it to the playoffs this year!
I'll be watching the game and rooting for the Boys all the way, but bottom line? I think we lose this game.

 

[Swagger]

Interested to see how this game works out.

I think the injuries will be too much for the Boys to overcome a largely good Lions team except for their poor passing defense which Prescott will have to exploit.

However, a strong showing by the Boys would be a huge positive.

The NFC is mess so even with a quarterback like Prescott (overpaid, not elite and largely underperforms against good teams and in big games) it feels like the Boys are only a running game away from genuinely competing against the better teams once the key injured players return.

 

[JonesBoys]

All depends on which Dallas team shows up. The team in week 2 and 3 or the team last few weeks. Last week was a good win for sure but this is a more talented team they are facing. It would nice to see a hard fought close game win or lose. They come out with the same toughness and fire they did last week in Pittsburgh then I will be happy. I'm hoping the Cowboys will get more consistent with lasts weeks tough physical team they showed they can be.

 

[Blackrain]

We got to take the ball if we get the toss nice long drive ending in a touchdown .

All the unsung heroes need to be used Hunter, Rico Ferguson Tolbert let them double CD till he pouts his way into the Twilight zone.

Leave Guyton in the weight room and put guys on the line that can pull their weight.

We have a punchers chance of winning this game there are enough guys on this roster that want to win we just have to play the right ones and we got a chance.

We need to abandon that zone blocking crap go heads up and run it down their throat power running.

And for heaven's sake how about just once let's not have more yards in penalties than we do rushing and no turnovers

 

[Blackrain]

Lastly can we please give dalvin cook a shot this week and see if he can inject something into our running game I'm sure he would go out there and play hard and try and prove himself

 

[Gonzomandela01]

Please Dak, don't give them the ball, if we play sound FB and don't spot them any TO we might have a chance.

 

[KMY_Amber]

That's funny and kinda true,,, though you have to admit that the Giants, Browns and Steelers really do suck. QB change in Pittsburgh coming!

And maybe the Saints ain't that good either so....

 

[KMY_Amber]

We got to take the ball if we get the toss nice long drive ending in a touchdown .

Mike McCarthy s opening drives are often a waste, rarely produces an opening TD. So, nope, win the toss, put the Dee on the field first.

McCarthy s play calling is better and more productive coming out at halftime.

 

[Aven8]

If this offense would start scoring TD’s instead of FG’s we can keep up with anyone.

 

[Bobhaze]

I think the Cowboys best chance to win Sunday hinges on being able to score at least 30, something they’ve only done once in 5 games this year. I believe the lions offense will be able to score at least around 30 or more. Don’t forget that in the last 3 home games, the Cowboys average giving up 40 points per game. So we need to score consistently because I think a shoot out is the type of game we need to have a legit shot to win.

Detroit has a good, not great defense, so I think the Cowboys should be able to move the ball. One of the keys to the game will be the Cowboys red zone efficiency. We cannot settle for multiple FGs as opposed to TDs.

The Cowboys will need to score early and often and be able to force at least two TOs and get at least 2-3 stops to have a realistic shot. We have to hope the Cowboys offense can score at least 30. Should be a fun game.

 

[blueblood70]

I expect this to be a closer game but we cannot afford to get two scores down because the lions are brutal when nursing a two score lead. If the Cowboys win the toss they should take the ball in an attempt to score first. The Cowboys cannot afford a slow start.

Look, I don't know if the players or coaches are stressing this in practices and meetings,

but this is a must win game at home,

it's not just to solidify the last two weeks winning and get on nice streak, but we lost three straight games at home and it wasn't close..

you can't have this keep happening, you HAVE to win, your home games are the most important, lucky we've won three Rd. games to make up for it a little, but this has to be a must win at home..

you can't let that little crack in your mental game where you're supposed to have home field advantage with your fans and your players get turned into a full-on dam break, and lose all your momentum and your home field advantage. MHO

you have to win this game just for that I mean it'd be a nice win against the lions to shut up everyone like today picking again 75% of everybody just like last week said we were going to lose this game just like the Browns game 75% said we were going to lose ,while they're picking against us again which is a good thing for our players to not be pumped up as faves,

now I don't know what the spread is or what Vegas is saying but for me this just becomes a must win game against a good team at home, but you need to win a home game you need to win it period....Lets regain Home Field advantages, going from what being 17-0 to 18-3 at home ughh!!

 

[blueblood70]

If this offense would start scoring TD’s instead of FG’s we can keep up with anyone.

I think the last two weeks of signs have been pointing up I think we're getting at that point like last year after the San Francisco game where Mike McCarthy is feeling this offense and I think we will score more touchdowns had it not been for the turnovers we probably would have but yes goal line's been a problem inside the 20 they need to be more creative.. But I saw signs this is changing the last two weeks it's getting better and I think with that defensive back end is supposed to not be great they're sort of soft over the middle a lot like the Pittsburgh Steelers be a hard team to run on but I think there's a lot of things within the seams to exploit against this lions team I mean I could be wrong but that's what my eyes are telling me it was about to get Malone open last week had it not been for the turnover so I think they're just going to pick up right where they left off.... We're at home and there's not gonna be any lightning and rain delays keep the roof shut let's go stomp these lion cubs down..

 

[blueblood70]

The Detroit Lions are headed to AT&T this Sunday, and for the first time I can remember (as of this writing) are hitting town as 3 point road favorites. Coincidentally, the last time the Cowboys won a home game was Dec 30th, 2023 when we beat the lions 20-19 in a very close and controversial game.

So here are the strengths and weaknesses for a really good lions team:
STRENGTHS

• Total offense: Ranked 3rd, 397 ypg; team through 4 games averages 26 ppg.
• Rushing offense ranked 6th, 151 ypg. The lions have two good RBs in David Montgomery and Jahmir Gibbs; Gibbs averages 5.3 ypc and with his speed is a legit home run threat at any time.
• Passing offense ranked 7th, 246 ypg. QB Jared Goff is very accurate as evidenced by his last game where he went 18-18.
• They have 3 outstanding receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and TE Sam LaPorta. Brown has become their underneath weapon while Williams is dangerous deep threat, currently averaging 22 yards per reception. LaPorta was an All Pro as a rookie, and this year has battled an ankle injury early but he is still a weapon.
• The lions D is currently 4th in the NFL against the run, only giving up 91 yards per game.
• DE Aidan Hutchinson is an excellent pass rusher and currently leads the league with 6.5 sacks in 4 games. Safety Kerry Joseph has 3 INTs which is currently second in NFL.

WEAKNESSES

• The lions defense is currently ranked 21st in total defense, giving up 345 yards per game. They have a good pass rush but their secondary is not as strong as their DL and LBs.
• The lions pass defense is ranked 27th and average giving up 254 yards per game. Most of those yards have happened because the lions had a two score lead, forcing opponents to pass. But their coverage is not stellar.
• Despite his usual accuracy, QB Jared Goff has thrown 4 INTs in 4 games (they have only played 4 games because of a bye last week) Goff is not particularly mobile and can be pressured more easily than some of our recent opponents.
• The lions average giving up 20 ppg, which is not bad, but they tend to be in more close games than other top teams.

I expect this game to be the best test of the young season so far. The lions are really good on offense but their defense can be vulnerable to good passing games. Despite their offensive strengths, the lions usually play in a lot of close games, so I expect the game Sunday to also be close. Interestingly the Cowboys are 1-5 in games where they are underdogs since 2023, so that trend needs to change.

The Cowboys defense will be tested by the best offense we have faced so far. I expect our offense to be able to move the ball too so this may be a shootout. Should be entertaining.

Well it sounds like we're playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at home with a better offense but that and we played last week pretty much along those same lines in the center and on the back end between the hashes I think they're vulnerable and we need to exploit it can Mike McCarthy exploit it I don't know we had 6 drives inside the Pittsburgh 22 and only punted once had it not been for the turnovers we probably would have beat them pretty handily.

But you're correct this is a team with a really good offense, so there's going to be the difference, but our offense has to score a lot, I believe it's going to be a high scoring game probably the highest score of the game this year for us... They must go into the game thinking that they have to be aggressive and thinking this is gonna be high scoring and go after it early..

And I know we all think that like right before it happens and somehow this is going to end up being a 16-13 game lol

 

[Bobhaze]

Look, I don't know if the players or coaches are stressing this in practices and meetings,

but this is a must win game at home,

it's not just to solidify the last two weeks winning and get on nice streak, but we lost three straight games at home and it wasn't close..

you can't have this keep happening, you HAVE to win, your home games are the most important, lucky we've won three Rd. games to make up for it a little, but this has to be a must win at home..

you can't let that little crack in your mental game where you're supposed to have home field advantage with your fans and your players get turned into a full-on dam break, and lose all your momentum and your home field advantage. MHO

you have to win this game just for that I mean it'd be a nice win against the lions to shut up everyone like today picking again 75% of everybody just like last week said we were going to lose this game just like the Browns game 75% said we were going to lose ,while they're picking against us again which is a good thing for our players to not be pumped up as faves,

now I don't know what the spread is or what Vegas is saying but for me this just becomes a must win game against a good team at home, but you need to win a home game you need to win it period....Lets regain Home Field advantages, going from what being 17-0 to 18-3 at home ughh!!

Blue I hope the home field advantage we’ve had with Big Mac returns. As it stands today, we are 1-3 in our last 4 home games. If we can regain that home field saltiness, this team can become a playoff team.

Beating an excellent Detroit team would go a long way toward helping this team’s confidence. On the other hand if we get blown out again at home, the narrative becomes this team can only beat bad or mediocre teams. Still way too early to fully understand any team. But this Sunday will go a long way in defining what we are.

 

[blueblood70]

Blue I hope the home field advantage we’ve had with Big Mac returns. As it stands today, we are 1-3 in our last 4 home games. If we can regain that home field saltiness, this team can become a playoff team.

Beating an excellent Detroit team would go a long way toward helping this team’s confidence. On the other hand if we get blown out again at home, the narrative becomes this team can only beat bad or mediocre teams. Still way too early to fully understand any team. But this Sunday will go a long way in defining what we are.

yes, right before the bye, this sure could heal a lot of wounds. Imagine the emotional advantage we would have winning three in a row beating the lions at home.

I sure hope they see this game as that important as well not a must win game but it's a game that could really push us into a different perspective for the rest of the year. All that right before the San Francisco game with the bye week to prepare... I mean I can't see a game that could be pivotal to the rest of your season like this

 

[Saltycowboy]

Boys will lose by 3 TDs.