Dallas City News

This week the Dallas Cowboys will face the Detroit Lions in AT&T stadium. The Lions are second in the NFC North and have lost only one game this season. Their aim is clearly focused on a deep run in the playoffs and this week facing the Cowboys will be even more prepared thanks to enjoying a bye week in Week 5. So how do these two offenses stack up against each other? Let’s battle it out by position and find out.

QUARTERBACK

Dak Prescott
vs.
Jared Goff
Dak Prescott currently holds the second spot in the league for passing yards and ranks fourth in passing touchdowns. There were many highlights from last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but one standout moment was his performance during the game-winning drive. He demonstrated complete command of the offense, showcasing the skills of a top-tier quarterback as he dismantled the Pittsburgh defense. He remained composed and focused, which is exactly what the team was looking for with his contract extension.

Jared Goff is averaging 253 yards per game, placing him ninth among quarterbacks this season. However, he faces challenges with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of five touchdowns to four interceptions, one of the lowest in the league. Despite having talented players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, David Montgomery, and Sam LaPorta at his disposal, his stats seem surprisingly low. On a positive note, he’s not only coming off a bye week to prepare for the matchup against Dallas, and his last outing against Seattle was impressive, where he completed 18 of 18 passes for 292 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Conclusion:
Since arriving in Detroit, Goff has experienced just one loss after a bye week, which was against Dallas. On Dak’s side, it’s worth noting that the Lions’ defense is giving up the fifth-highest number of passing yards per game, averaging 258 yards.
Win: Cowboys

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

RUNNING BACK

Rico Dowdle/Ezekiel Elliott
vs.
David Montgomery/ Jahmyr Gibbs
Dowdle delivered one of his best performances last week against the Steelers. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry, racked up 87 rushing yards, and, most impressively, scored another receiving touchdown. This marks the second consecutive game in which he has achieved a receiving touchdown. The run blocking improved significantly, allowing Dowdle to make some strong runs up the middle, even against a Steelers defense that was ranked in the top five for run defense at the time. In contrast, Ezekiel Elliott managed only 17 rushing yards last week and has yet to surpass the 100-yard mark this season after five games. Meanwhile, Hunter Luepke continues to impress with each game, seeing his usage increase weekly. His catch during the game-winning drive set up Jalen Tolbert shortly after. This play not only showcased Luepke’s intelligence but also highlighted his athleticism in making the catch and quickly advancing upfield.

Montgomery is currently averaging 68 rushing yards per game, placing him 16th among running backs. Meanwhile, Gibbs is doing even better with an average of 71 rushing yards per game, ranking 13th. This dynamic duo in Detroit is incredibly effective and has become the backbone of the team’s offensive strategy. Together, they combine for an impressive 151 rushing yards per game, which is the sixth-best in the league, and their seven rushing touchdowns rank fourth overall. Additionally, this tandem also stands out with their contributions in receptions and receiving yards, ranking fourth in both categories for the Detroit Lions offense. This versatility makes them a dual threat that defenses struggle to account for.

Conclusion:
The Cowboys’ defense showed significant improvement in their ability to stop the run against the Steelers. However, the lingering question is whether they can maintain this level of performance. The running game from Detroit poses a serious challenge and slowing the run game is crucial for preventing their offense from dominating the game. Unfortunately, the Cowboys’ defense is among the bottom ten in run defense, and with Marshawn Kneeland scheduled for surgery, the struggle will be tougher this week. On the other hand, the Lions’ defense is performing well, currently ranking fourth overall and allowing an average of only 90 rushing yards per game.
Win: Lions

Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images

WIDE RECEIVERS

CeeDee Lamb/Jalen Tolbert/KaVontae Turpin
vs.
Amon St.Brown/Jameson Williams/Tim Patrick
Some individuals have raised concerns about the moment between Dak and Lamb on the sideline, but those worries are largely exaggerated. The two are as strong as ever, and their chemistry remains intact. While the media loves to spin a narrative of conflict, conversations with staff inside the organization reveal that both players are still very close, and there’s really no issue regarding their connection. Last week, Lamb showcased his skills with five receptions, including a toe-tap catch on the sideline that perfectly highlights his talent as a receiver. Jalen Tolbert made the game-winning catch and recorded a total of seven receptions, marking his best performance thanks to Brandin Cooks being sidelined. He also achieved a personal record with 87 receiving yards in that game. Meanwhile, Turpin continues to impress, making the most of his opportunities with five catches for 50 yards last week. He now ranks fifth in receptions and fourth in receiving yards for Dallas.

Amon St. Brown is a reliable and impressive pass catcher in the NFL. He excels at mixing up his press release techniques and showcases exceptional skill as a route-runner. Being a savvy player, he has already achieved 14 first downs for the Lions this season, surpassing Lamb. St. Brown’s effectiveness has allowed Jameson Williams, on the other side, to thrive this season with less focus on him. Williams boasts an impressive 22 yards per reception, ranking third among wide receivers, and his 156 yards after catch places him 16th in the league.

Conclusion:
Lamb is among the top 10 wide receivers for receiving yards, YAC yards, and explosive plays. The Cowboys’ offense is currently second in passing yards and will be up against a Lions defense that has had a tough time defending the pass, sitting at fifth-worst in the league.
Win: Cowboys

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

TIGHT END

Jake Ferguson
vs.
Sam LaPorta
Ferguson is currently the team’s second-leading player in both receptions and receiving yards. In the previous game, he recorded six catches for 70 yards, including some crucial receptions. Despite missing a week, he has climbed to third place among tight ends in receiving yards, surpassing both George Kittle and Travis Kelce.

LaPorta burst onto the scene as a rookie last year, racking up 86 catches for 889 yards and an impressive ten touchdown receptions. His incredible speed and acceleration are what set him apart, making him a formidable player. However, this season he hasn’t found the end zone yet, and with 147 receiving yards, he currently sits at 17th among tight ends.

Conclusion:
The Lions’ defense has performed admirably against tight ends this season, presenting a significant challenge for Ferguson. On the flip side, the Cowboys’ defense has also shown strong capabilities in stopping the tight end position. While LaPorta has demonstrated considerable talent this year, he has started off a bit slowly. Ferguson has the edge in this matchup, primarily because he has consistently shown his effectiveness over multiple seasons.
Win: Cowboys

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

OFFENSIVE LINE

Watch for Tyler Guyton in this week’s practice report. He is listed as day-to-day due to a knee injury he picked up last week. The run blocking from the team improved significantly, which was evident in the success of the running game. However, the pass protection struggled, allowing 15 pressures and two sacks, one of which was particularly damaging as it led to Dak losing the ball. Overall, the unit is performing reasonably well and will be up against a defense that ranks in the middle of the league for total sacks this season.

The Lions’ offensive line is facing some uncertainties at the center position. Frank Ragnow, the starting center, is on the mend from a torn pectoral muscle and is working hard to return to the field. On the bright side, the Lions’ offensive line has proven to be quite dependable overall. They’ve only given up seven sacks this season, and their total of 33 pressures allowed ranks among the lowest in the league. What truly sets this offensive line apart is its exceptional run blocking. Many would argue that this is the top run-blocking unit in the league, and it’s hard to find fault in that claim. With All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell leading the charge and a strong running back duo behind him, this aspect of their game is a key part of the team’s identity.
Win: Lions