Dallas Cowboys rushing is key to mauling the Detroit Lions

The Dallas Cowboys have waited four weeks for a soft front to run on. It so happens the Detroit Lions defense is the perfect prey to maul.

While suffering two ugly defeats in their first three contests, the Dallas Cowboys still managed to put up respectable rushing numbers. Star running back Ezekiel Elliott is tied with San Francisco’s Matt Breida for the NFL rushing lead with 274 yards. In Week Two, Breida rushed 11 times for 138 yards (12.6 ypc) on this same Lions defense.

The Cowboys rushing unit ranks 7th in the league with 398 yards. But even more eye-popping is they are the best in the NFL in rushing yards per attempt (6.0). The run success got lost in the smoke as the passing game failed to break 160 yards passing in all three games. Regardless, the Detroit Lions are not the opponent to take the foot off the rushing gas in search of a sudden passing game resurrection.

A huge reason is the Lions field the top-ranked defense in total passing yards allowed (456). Their own offense has passed for 428 more yards than the defense allowed.

LIONS RUN DEFENSE HAS NO TEETH

The welcome news is Detroit’s run stopping unit is every bit as soft as their pass defense is rigid. Their run defense is dead last in rushing yards (448) and yards per carry (5.4) allowed.

While the 49ers boast a highly rated run offense (2nd in yards), their other two opponents were ranked 14th (Jets) and 20th (Patriots). It’s not like the Lions unluckily drew three powerhouse rushing foes to start the season.

The offensive game plan for Sunday is simple. Feed Zeke, feed him again and continue doing so until he’s stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. Let Rod Smith get in on the act to hammer away at Detroit’s weakened front.

Incorporate the run option with Dak Prescott so the frustrated signal caller can stretch his legs into the secondary. And for another change of pace, run a handful of jet sweeps with Tavon Austin.

There’s no doubt Detroit will bring up extra defenders to stop it, everyone does this to Dallas. It’s likely they tried this while the Jets were rushing for 169 yards and the 49ers railed off 190. They bring up extra bodies, use the fullback and say bring it on.

Few games are won on rushing alone, but with timely play-action passing to keep them honest and help move the chains, this soft Lions front is ripe for a mauling.