Cowboys Hope to End December Slides In Detroit
Zach Buchanan - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
December 7, 2007 5:26 PM
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 Staff Writer
December 7, 2007 5:26 PM
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.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:44 AM
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