If Vernon was to ask his celebrity families to provide him with the name of an American baseball team I'm guessing the surveys top answer by some distance would be the New York Yankees. If the question was asked of the NBA then the LA Lakers would be top and if there were a survey of random members of the UK population enquiring of them the name of an American Football team then it's highly likely the Dallas Cowboys would be the name given by the vast majority. Just as Manchester United transcend the interest of their local and national markets so these American teams have found their ways into the consciousness of people on this side of the pond who may even be unaware of the sport they play. Like it or not the Dallas Cowboys are a big name draw and the Lions head there this weekend looking to improve on their 3-0 start to the season.
It's been more than 30 years since the Lions started a season 3-0 and just as long since they started a season 4-0 but that doesn't really matter as we're all too busy enjoying the now to worry about all those years since the then. How long was the Lions road streak without a win? I can honestly say I have no idea now but I do know they will be going for their 5th consecutive road win Sunday. On the evidence of the season so far that win is a realistic expectation for a Lions team that has begun the process of changing peoples perceptions of them.
The Lions have yet to fully click in any of their initial three games this season. They finished poorly against the Bucs, started slowly against the Chiefs and last week spotted the Vikings a 20 point lead at the half. Likewise the Cowboys have struggled to find a consistent rhythm to their play so far this season and have been impressive only in flashes. Matthew Stafford returns to his home state and I'm sure he will be looking to impress not just us fans and the rest of the NFL but the multitude of personal guests he will no doubt have had to secure tickets for. The partnership with Calvin Johnson is at the forefront of the media attention as the spotlight begins to shine on the Lions ever brighter. It is though the relationship with his other receivers that Stafford will become increasingly reliant on as the season progresses. The offensive line though will need to put in a vastly improved display against the Cowboys after being put to the sword last week by Jared Allen and the Vikings. DeMarcus Ware was passed up by Matt Millen in favour of Mike Williams in the 2005 Draft. The Cowboys were the beneficiaries of this particular piece of Millen management and the play of Ware so far this season has people speculating on his prospects of breaking the single season sack record. Lions tackles Backus & Cherilus will be under pressure to ensure that Matthew Stafford is not thrown around the confines of Cowboys Stadium by this one man QB wrecking crew. If they succeed then look for Stafford to light up a secondary that has already been giving up big yards this season.
Just as the Cowboys defense will be looking to get to Matthew Stafford so their offense will be looking to do a better of protecting their own star QB, Tony Romo. It is probably fair to say that the Cowboys offense has been effective rather than dazzling so far this season in doing enough to secure a couple of wins without convincing that those wins were likely outcomes. The Cowboys have matched the Lions in their struggles to get an effective run game going this season and will be looking to finally get this aspect of their offense going this week. The Lions D, meanwhile, has been reasonably effective at shutting down opposing run games during games with the majority of yards conceded being in the early part of the games. Romo, though, lacks the weapons that Stafford has at his disposal and on the evidence of their most recent outing against the Redskins Romo's relationship with his receiving corps is still very much a work in progress. Being without leading tackler LB Justin Durant for this game should not affect the ability of the Lions in getting to Romo and the Lions secondary could once again benefit from a number of hurried throws.
Special Teams will be looking to bounce back from the performance at the Metrodome although having Jason Hanson named the NFL's Special Teams player of September will have been a boost to this unit. If this game is dominated by the Defenses then field position and the kicking game will be the determining factor in who wins and the Cowboys will not lack for confidence in coming out on top in such a game.
This game promises to be a classic and the Cowboys are likely to present the most serious challenge yet to the Lions this season. A defeat to the Cowboys would not be a disgrace or enough to have everyone reassessing where they see the Lions finishing the season in fact it may well relieve the increasing pressure of an undefeated record. A victory though would be a fantastic way to head into a three game road stretch that begins with another high profile matchup, the Monday Night game against the Bears. I'm looking for the Lions to show the same bring it on attitude they took into that pre-season game against the Patriots and rise to the challenge of winning in Dallas. They won't be able to afford to only play for one half like they did against the Vikings but I think they will be eager to impress the wider audience that The Cowboys will provide. The game is being shown on Sky here in the UK so offers the opportunity to sit in front of the TV rather than the PC to watch a Lions game. My only dilemma in looking forward to this is whether I will spend the game thinking I should be eating turkey!
Prediction: LIONS 28 Cowboys 23
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