ClutchPoints
The Detroit Lions have not been the powerhouse that many were expecting to see this season. After finishing 15-2 in the regular season a year ago, the Lions were eliminated in the playoffs by the upstart Washington Commanders, largely because injuries diminished the defense.
This year’s team appeared to have the talent to steamroll opponents, but the loss of coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching positions with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, respectively, have taken away quite a bit of the focus. The Lions come into this game with a 7-5 record and that means they are on the outside of the playoff structure.
The Cowboys are also trying to fight their way into the postseason, and they appear to be more of a threat than they were early in the season. They have won three games in a row to improve their record to 6-5-1, and two of those victories were over the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
Dak Prescott has shown the ability to make big plays when the game is on the line, and that has given head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s team a sense of confidence that was missing from this team for several seasons.
Both teams are fighting to have a chance at making the playoffs, and that should make for a hard-hitting and competitive prime time battle.
Normally, this would be a fairly predictable milestone for the Lions quarterback to reach in most games. However, top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has suffered an ankle injury and is probably not going to play. Even if he can get cleared by the medical staff to get into the lineup, he is not going to be close to his best, and that is a big blow for the Lions offense.
However, Jameson Williams is one of the best No. 2 receivers in the league and he has dynamic speed that will challenge the Cowboys’ vulnerable secondary. Williams has caught 38 passes for 706 yards and 6 touchdowns with a long of 64 yards. He has been on the receiving end of 32 passes that have resulted in first downs. His ability to run by defensive backs gives the Lions a significant big-play threat that the Cowboys are going to have a hard time slowing down.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs and backup wideout Kalif Raymond are also likely targets for Goff.
The quarterback will need to get off to a solid start in this game because the Cowboys are capable on the offensive end. Goff has completed 264 of 378 passes for 3,025 yards with 25 TD passes and 5 interceptions. Goff is not a threat to run with the ball, but he can buy time in the pocket and that will give his receivers a chance to get open and make key plays.
George Pickens has turned out...
