How the Dallas Cowboys stack up against NFC contenders

Detroit Lions

2022 Points Per Game: 26.6 (5th)
2022 Points Per Game Against 25.1 (28th)
Key Offseason Additions: WR Marvin Jones Jr., TE Sam LaPorta, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, CB Cameron Sutton, RB David Montgomery, LB Jack Campbell

Cowboys Advantage - Too Many Offensive Weapons

Last year the Cowboys were able to dispatch the Lions thanks to their effective defense against one of the hottest offenses in the league at the time. The Cowboys are pretty much fielding the same offensive group say for the additions Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert and the Lions just aren't going to be able to match up with the Cowboys defensively to stop them. Dak Prescott and his assortment of receivers will be able to move the football down the field and look for them to attack the middle of the field against this defense. Using Cooks and Gallup to make their safeties retreat while Lamb, Ferguson, and Pollard work the middle picking up easy yards to move the chains and keep their effective offense off the field.

The Lions' lack of a consistent pass rush will allow this offense to eat up the clock and keep their offense at bay for most of the game.

Cowboys Vulnerability - Effective Running Game

If there's one area of the Cowboys defense that still remains to be a thorn in their side it would be their ability to stop the run. Last season the Lions were very effective in that area and with the addition of Gibbs and Montgomery they have themselves a nice one-two punch in the backfield. Dallas has tried to shore up the interior of their defensive line but it still remains to be seen if they will be able to slow teams down. The Lions running backs could be a big problem for the Cowboys with their combination of speed and power.

If the Cowboys aren't able to slow this running game down, it will give the Lions a chance to control the pace of the game and take away the Cowboys' offensive advantage over their defense.