GDT: Cowboys @ Lions - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Underdog · 12-09-2007, 05:53 AM

Cowboys vs. Lions
Cowboys Hope to End December Slides In Detroit

GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (11-1) at Detroit Lions (6-6)
WHEN: Sunday, Noon (CST)
WHERE: Ford Field, Detroit
TELEVISION: Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver)

BIG ISSUE: A Cowboys win will mean a lot to the team this Sunday: Clinch an NFC East title, put them one win or one loss by Tampa Bay and Seattle from clinching a first-round bye and a step closer to clinching home-field advantage in the NFC. But perhaps most importantly, a victory will get a certain monkey off their back. The Lions handed the Cowboys a disappointing loss at the end of last season, sending them into the playoffs on a low note. And as if avenging that loss isn't enough motivation to beat Detroit, Lions quarterback Jon Kitna's comments earlier this year will be. Several players have expressed extra motivation for Sunday's game after Kitna blasted the Cowboys' defense on a Seattle radio show in January.

The Lions need a win. After starting the season 6-2, Detroit has lost its last four games, evening its record at 6-6. Trailing the 10-2 Packers in the NFC North, winning their division is a long shot, but earning a wild-card spot isn't out of the question. They are currently in a three-way tie with Arizona and Minnesota for the final NFC playoff seed.

NUMBERS, PLEASE: Since they face the Lions' powerful passing game, many would be quick to point out the Cowboys' "deficiencies" in pass defense, citing their 17th- place ranking in the league, giving up 218.3 passing yards a game. But Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips would beg to differ, countering with an opponents' completion percentage of 58.4 (fourth in the league), 18 interceptions (second), and 33 sacks (fourth).

Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz has been exhibiting symptoms of a condition that occasionally plagues NFL coaches: Rushophobia. The Lions are the worst team in the league when it comes to rushing the ball, averaging only 77.2 yards a game on the ground. At it's not as if they lack talent in their ball carriers; they just simply don't like to run, averaging only 19.5 running plays a game, also good for last in the NFL.

ONE-ON-ONE: It doesn't matter who Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens lines up against, the Lions won't stop him. So, this week's matchup will be one that could swing either way: Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers against Cowboys left guard Kyle Kosier. Rogers has proven to be a force in the middle for the Lions, accumulating 4.5 sacks and 46 tackles so far this year. Kosier, a very good lineman, will have to play his best to keep Rogers away from Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo or will need help from Cowboys center Andre Gurode.

Lions tackles George Foster and Jeff Backus are going to have their hands full against the Cowboys' pass-rushing duo of DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis. Ware and Ellis have double-digit sacks so far, and Ellis especially has been on a surge as of late, registering 10 ½ sacks in only nine games. Foster and Backus are two-fifths of an offensive line that has yielded 50 sacks so far this season, so they can expect a long, long day against the Cowboys.

SUPPORTING ROLE: Although it looks more and more as if Cowboys right tackle Marc Colombo will be able to play against Detroit after suffering an ankle injury last Thursday, he is still listed as questionable for the game. If he can't play, second-year lineman Pat McQuistan will start the first game of his career. McQuistan has been working with the first-team line all week in Colombo's absence, and even got a lot of first-team experience in training camp when both Colombo and starting left tackle Flozell Adams were out rehabbing from off-season knee scopes. If McQuistan plays, rookie Doug Free will most likely be activated as the reserve swing tackle.

With their best receiver out in Roy Williams, the Lions will rely a lot more on first-round rookie Calvin Johnson and fifth-year pro Shaun McDonald. Both Johnson and McDonald have four touchdowns, and both will see a lot of playing time as the Lions like to use three-receiver sets. In those sets, Johnson would likely be out wide by himself, with McDonald opposite him and veteran receiver Mike Furrey in the slot.

HEADSET GAMES: The Cowboys' game plan on defense is always to stop the run first, but in all likelihood, the Lions' little-used running game will do that for them. Then, Dallas can just concentrate on getting pressure on Kitna, one of the easier quarterbacks to sack. If the Cowboys are forced to use their change-up defense a lot, which may happen if the Lions play mostly with three wide receivers, don't be surprised to see a blitz or two from dime corner Nate Jones, who has been identified as one of the better blitzers on the team.

The Cowboys have looked pretty unstoppable as of late, and there isn't much the Lions can do to change that. The Cowboys will look to spread out the 31st-ranked Detroit pass defense with receivers Owens and Patrick Crayton and tight end Jason Witten, making it impossible for the Lions to roll coverage to any specific player without leaving another open. If they lead going into the fourth quarter, the Cowboys will transition to their power running game with running back Marion Barber, who tends to get most of his yards in the fourth quarter.

HEALTH WATCH:

Lions

The Lions have two players listed as out for Sunday's game: Starting wide receiver Roy Williams (knee) and backup strong safety LaMarcus Hicks (ankle), who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week. Third-string rookie defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis (hamstring) practiced fully Thursday and Friday and is listed as probable.

Cowboys

This should come as a surprise to no one, but receiver Terry Glenn (knee) will again be missing from the Cowboys lineup. Despite practicing fully on Friday, starting right tackle Marc Colombo (ankle) is only listed as questionable, though Phillips is optimistic of his chances to play. Both cornerback Anthony Henry (ankle) and receiver Patrick Crayton (ankle) practiced in full and are listed as probable, though Henry is only expected to contribute as the nickel corner.

dallascowboys.com

MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs · 12-09-2007, 09:54 AM

For some reason I'm nervous about this game I just don't have a good feeling about it. The Cowboys are getting 10.5 points and everyone's picking them to cover. Detroit beat us last year in Dallas. I just have a bad feeling about this one though, hopefully I'm wrong.

Flacolaco · 12-09-2007, 11:57 AM

Cowboys: 42-13

This game is a waste of time.

dude1394 · 12-09-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Cowboys: 42-13

This game is a waste of time.

Hmm...having a hard time keeping track of the sarcasm?? So is this a clever non-negative or a true prediciton....so confused.

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:16 PM

the lions just ran us into the ground

ames7 · 12-09-2007, 01:16 PM

Boo...not stopping their run so far.

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude1394

Hmm...having a hard time keeping track of the sarcasm?? So is this a clever non-negative or a true prediciton....so confused.

i've learned to ignore his posts in Cowboys GDT's

dude1394 · 12-09-2007, 01:19 PM

Ah another game where I see the slow as mollasses Roy Williams chasing someone.

Man the cowboys really need to find another solution there because he's continued to get slower, slower and miss more and more tackles.

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude1394

Ah another game where I see the slow as mollasses Roy Williams chasing someone.

Man the cowboys really need to find another solution there because he's continued to get slower, slower and miss more and more tackles.

put him at backup outside linebacker and sign a safety over the summer

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:21 PM

oh yeah, and put him back on kickoff/punt coverages

not to mention, restructure his contract =]

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:24 PM

3 and out for Dallas

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:25 PM

Barber missed that block.

ames7 · 12-09-2007, 01:26 PM

Well this is annoying. Get it together guys.

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:31 PM

Mike Martz is killing our defense

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:33 PM

I'm so glad I elected to draft Romo instead of Kitna this year

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:41 PM

still don't see why returners don't run over kickers

ames7 · 12-09-2007, 01:44 PM

Lions are dropping like flies. Great field position, gotta do something here.

Flacolaco · 12-09-2007, 01:48 PM

Free 7 there. Even joe buck knows that was lions ball.

ames7 · 12-09-2007, 01:48 PM

YES! Okay, sure, we can spot you 10 points before we actually start the game. No prob.

Flacolaco · 12-09-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude1394

Hmm...having a hard time keeping track of the sarcasm?? So is this a clever non-negative or a true prediciton....so confused.

Totally serious. Even after this start, I will still say that the lions are awful. I'd be surprised if they see the end zone again today.

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:54 PM

we get this 3 and out.. it'll be over

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alby

we get this 3 and out.. it'll be over

nevermind

alby · 12-09-2007, 01:56 PM

roy williams can not tell the flight of the football, LOL

ames7 · 12-09-2007, 01:56 PM

This is seriously annoying. I hate this freaking city. Can we please stop them?

dude1394 · 12-09-2007, 01:57 PM

Roy was lucky that the lions have blue uniforms.

Flacolaco · 12-09-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alby

roy williams can not tell the flight of the football, LOL

That was text book pass interference. Soooo lucky.

chumdawg · 12-09-2007, 02:02 PM

Here comes us taking over the lead.

ames7 · 12-09-2007, 02:08 PM

Why the hell did Joe Buck just unleash random anger at Mat McBriar booming it into the end zone? Does he think McBriar doesn't want to get it inside the 20?

Would be nice if we could stop them finally.

Dirkgreatness · 12-09-2007, 02:11 PM

This sooo frustrating.

dude1394 · 12-09-2007, 02:11 PM

Cowboys getting their rear ends kicked. Especially the defense that did all of the talking.

Maybe kitna was right eh?

ShaggyDirk · 12-09-2007, 02:13 PM

The Cowboys are doomed!

ames7 · 12-09-2007, 02:13 PM

We are a second half team we are a second half team we are a second half team...

Dirkgreatness · 12-09-2007, 02:16 PM

Man, our defense is overated.

ShaggyDirk · 12-09-2007, 02:16 PM

ya think?

alby · 12-09-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alby

Mike Martz is killing our defense

hasn't changed

ShaggyDirk · 12-09-2007, 02:19 PM

Our D is tired because our O is inept.

chumdawg · 12-09-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ames7

Why the hell did Joe Buck just unleash random anger at Mat McBriar booming it into the end zone? Does he think McBriar doesn't want to get it inside the 20?

Would be nice if we could stop them finally.

No joke. Especially considering that McBriar is actually very good at killing the ball inside the 20.

dude1394 · 12-09-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

No joke. Especially considering that McBriar is actually very good at killing the ball inside the 20.

He was afraid of picking on anyone but the punter, but I think McBriar will still kick his ass.

alby · 12-09-2007, 02:25 PM

throw one to Witten for a TD

ShaggyDirk · 12-09-2007, 02:26 PM

what a pass!