The Landry Hat
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions: Week 7 Know Thy Enemy

By Terence Watson

Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: DeShon Elliott #5 of the Detroit Lions reacts after an interception during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: DeShon Elliott #5 of the Detroit Lions reacts after an interception during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images) /

What We’ve Seen and Possible Defensive Gameplan Against Dallas

As good as the Lions’ offense has been this season, the same can’t be said for their defense which ranks last in the NFL in points allowed this season. Teams have been averaging 34 points a game against this defense which has been the deciding factor in all of their games outside of their only win against the Washington Commanders.

Led by rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, they’ve been able to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks but they haven’t been able to stop the run.

The Lions rank last in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns allowed this season, and with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard on deck, they are going to be tested in that aspect once again.

The Cowboys’ offensive line did a good job against the Eagles’ stout defense last week but not enough to pick up the win, this week they should be able to handle a banged-up and undersized defensive line. The Lions are also going to have to try and contain Prescott who can beat teams with his legs adding another layer of problems for their defensive front to try and stop.

Dallas knows this and will surely try and exploit this weak Lion-run defense as they look to get Prescott back into rhythm in his first game back from his fractured thumb. Look for Elliott and Pollard to continue splitting each series to keep both fresh in this game and take advantage of the rookies the Lions could be starting at linebacker, defensive tackle, and defensive end in this game.

The ‘Boys will also look to attack Detroit’s rookie safety who looks to be starting this week. The Cowboys have multiple avenues to beat the Lions this week and it will be interesting to see how they game plan for this young defense.

Will they rely on the running game and ease Prescott back in, or will they allow Prescott to come out and sling the football around? Either way, one thing is for sure — having No. 4 back in the lineup is going to give this team the boost it needs after a tough loss in a game they could have won.

Home/Cowboys News