"Fresh off a huge win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day, the Dallas Cowboys wrap up their three-game gauntlet this Thursday as they take on the Detroit Lions. Both the Cowboys and Lions desperately need to win this game to stay in the playoff hunt, so this figures to be a very competitive matchup. With that thought in mind, today, we take a look at three players Dallas will need to step up if they want to defeat the Lions."
"Opponents are averaging 126 rushing yards per game against the Lions since Week 9, and the unit is in the bottom half of the league in defensive rush EPA (-0.086) over this span. This week, the Lions' run defense faces another tough test against a Cowboys team that has been very efficient in the run game this season, ranking 11th in the NFL in Rush EPA (-0.030) and Rush Success Rate (42.7%)."
"Despite a quiet game last week against the Chiefs, Dallas will need their lead running back, Javonte Williams, to take advantage of the Lions' inability to stop physical runners this week. On the year, Williams ranks in the top six in the NFL in rushing yards (955), first downs rushing (50), and rushing yards per game (79.6). Detroit's last two opponents, the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants, used their success in the run game to open up big passing plays down the field."
The Dallas Cowboys face the Detroit Lions after a Thanksgiving win, with both teams needing victory to stay in playoff contention. The Lions have gone 2-3 since Week 9 and have allowed 25 points per game during that stretch. Opponents are averaging 126 rushing yards per game against Detroit, and the run defense ranks in the bottom half in defensive rush EPA (-0.086). The Cowboys rank 11th in Rush EPA (-0.030) and have a 42.7% Rush Success Rate. Javonte Williams has 955 rushing yards, 50 rushing first downs, and averages 79.6 yards per game, and must exploit Detroit's run vulnerabilities to open up the passing game.
Read at Blogging The Boys
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