Despite the ultimate closeness of the defeat, last weeks loss to the Bills was a real confidence shaker for the majority of Lions fans. Going into this game, against what will most likely be an upbeat Cowboys team, it is important that the Lions players don't replicate the fans mood and instead recapture the belief they were demonstrating earlier in the season. Both teams are 2-7 and, when analysing their stats, are very evenly matched so we could well be in for another close game.
It is to be hoped with a full week of practice and a further week of healing that Shaun Hill resembles the QB that took the field against the Rams as the Lions running game has failed to take off this season. A strong argument could be made for saying the loss to the Bills came down to Linehan and Schwartz sticking with an impotent ground game for too long and that a move to a more pass focussed attack earlier could well have provided the road victory we all craved. Kevin Smith has now been placed on IR and so Maurice Morris, Jerome Felton and Jahvid Best will likely share the load running the ball. The strength of the Lions passing attack and the weakness of the Cowboys pass defense though suggests that there should be matchups for Hill to exploit all game long. If Hill and the receivers click then it is entirely possible that Best ends up with his best running performance as the Cowboys will be loading up to stop the pass and late in the game this could lead to Best breaking a couple of big ones.
The loss of Cliff Avril proved to be more significant than most of us could have expected before the Bills game but when you look back while Suh and Vanden Bosch were gaining the plaudits it has been Avril and Williams that have perhaps had the greater effect. Avril will miss the Cowboys game according to his tweets but will return for the Patriots on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys ground game has been as non-existent as the Lions one has so the D-Line will be looking to collapse the pocket around former Lions QB Jon Kitna. The Cowboys have a formidable group of receivers though and the Lions will need to keep the pressure on Kitna to stop him from making full use of the weapons available to him. If the Lions defense can get on top then look for Kitna to be taking sacks and throwing interceptions. If the Lions aren't getting to Kitna then look for the Cowboys to light up the scoreboard.
With Jason Hanson still out injured the Lions kicking game will not be as strong and impact plays from Special teams will have Stefan Logan in them. Field position could be vital in this game as it has the potential of being a points fest with each defense needing as long a field to defend as possible.
I'm not ready to dispel the good things I've seen from the Lions so far this season or the progress they've made so am going to go against every sensible thought I'm having about this game. Maybe I'm still giddy from Spurs finally gaining an away win against Arsenal but I think after being criticised for losing games and not making the decisions to put the Lions in a position to win that Schwartz is the star of this show.
Prediction: LIONS 44 Cowboys 35
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