Which Cowboys do you think will step up against Detroit?
The Cowboys’ Week 6 matchup with Detroit presents opportunities for some players and challenges for others. Who stands to have a good game when Dallas hosts the Lions, and who might suffer a down week statistically?
BUY
WR CeeDee Lamb
The Lions may be 3-1 but they’ve been kind to opponents’ star receivers. Here’s how some of Lamb’s peers have performed in their games against Detroit this season:
- D.K. Metcalf (SEA) – 7 rec, 105 yard
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI) – 5 rec, 64 yds, 1 TD
- Chris Godwin (TB) – 7 rec, 117 yds, 1 TD
- Cooper Kupp (LAR) – 14 rec, 110 yds, 1 TD
While the connection between Lamb and QB Dak Prescott hasn’t been producing at quite the same clip as in previous seasons, Lamb’s still on pace for over 1,000 yards. This week could be a chance for a true breakout game for #88 this year, especially under the bright lights of a critical NFC matchup.
If Detroit’s going to keep Lamb from a big outing, it will probably need to happen at the point of the throw. But if the way other veteran quarterbacks have put up numbers against the Lions is any indication…
QB Dak Prescott
Already leading the NFL in passing yards, Prescott could pad his stats in this one. We just saw Geno Smith go off for 395 on Detroit in Week 4, plus 317 yards for Matthew Stafford in Week 1. The Lions were able to limit Baker Mayfield to just 185 yards in Week 2, and that came down to getting five sacks and a lot of pressure on the Tampa Bay quarterback.
Prescott’s protection this year has been average compared to the rest of the league; 12 sacks surrendered in five games. Whether or not LT Tyler Guyton returns to his post and has a good game this week will have a big impact. But if Dallas can keep enough heat off their QB on Sunday, Prescott should have opportunities to get things done in the passing game.
Cowboys DBs
Lions QB Jared Goff has thrown four picks in as many games this year. Dallas still has Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis, and should get Caelen Carson back for this one. We’ve seen two dropped INTs from S Malik Hooker in the last few games, plus a few close ones when Carson was playing earlier this year. In a game where the Cowboys probably need a big defensive turnover to win, Goff offers a strong chance of giving one up.
SELL
TE Jake Ferguson
Tight ends have been shut down so far this year by Detroit’s defense. The best game was four catches and 47 yards from the Rams’ Colby Parkinson in Week 1. With Lions’ safety Kerby Joseph expected to play after dealing with a hamstring issue, the same mix that’s kept opposing TEs down all year will be on the field.
As mentioned above, if Prescott can get it done with Lamb and other wide receivers then a slow week for Ferguson may not hurt the team. And Ferguson is a more prolific TE than the ones Detroit has faced so far this season, so we’ll see if they have the same success against him.
Cowboys run defense
While it’s been much better the last two weeks, Dallas will now be without veteran LB Eric Kendricks and that could really hurt. Aside from his individual play, Kendricks was the signal-caller for the defense and could have been especially valuable against the former Viking’s longtime NFC North rival.
Detroit’s two-headed attack with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs is so potent because both players can hurt you in multiple ways. Montgomery had a 40-yard reception in Detroit’s last game; not the shiftier Gibbs as you might expect. The Lions can rotate the two guys freely and maintain unpredictability on offense. Mike Zimmer’s going to have his hands full this Sunday.
