ARLINGTON, Texas — When asked this week about the Cowboys' mentality heading into their Saturday night showdown against the feisty, upstart Lions, quarterback Dak Prescott offered a direct response.
"Pissed, for sure," he said.
The Cowboys should be ticked. Self-inflicted wounds prevented a road win against the Dolphins in Week 16, and now Dallas has lost back-to-back games for the first time in more than two years.
Doubt has crept in.
So what now?
In that same press conference, Prescott said Cowboys players need "to be accountable, look themselves in the mirror, and say what more can I do individually."
As the face of the franchise, Prescott oftentimes has to regurgitate the company line. In this instance, he spoke the unvarnished truth -- and captured what Cowboys Nation is feeling, too.
Now comes the important part.
As the kids like to say, "Don't talk about it, be about it."
The Cowboys' defense will be the fulcrum in terms of gaining leverage against the high-flying Detroit Lions this week. It won't be easy. The Lions clinched the NFC North division championship last week -- their first division title in 30 years -- and Detroit's 11 wins so far this season match the franchise record. Clearly, Lions head coach Dan Campbell, a former Cowboys tight end, has his squad energized and believing they can make a run.
That's fitting phraseology, too, because the run is where it all starts with this team: A diverse and productive ground attack, ranked third in the NFL, sets the table for a Lions offense that's also ranked third-best in the league.
Theirs is a thunder-and-lightning approach, with backs David Montgomery (910 rushing yards) and Jahmyr Gibbs (872 rushing yards) sharing the load. It's a bit like what the Cowboys had with Zeke Elliott and Tony Pollard last season; Montgomery is the power back who tenderizes opposing defenses early in games, and Gibbs is the explosive, home-run-hitting compliment.
The Cowboys rush defense bounced back in a big way last week, giving up 91 yards on just 3.5 yards per carry against the Dolphins high-flying, speedy offensive crew. But the Lions attack in so many different ways, it will take more discipline, along with power, determination and will, to have a chance against Detroit.
The Lions' productive run game paves the way for Jared Goff to make big gains off play action. And how: Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown trails only Tyreek Hill and CeeDee Lamb with 1,394 receiving yards. Meanwhile, rookie Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is a bona fide threat, as well.
Penalties are another issue that must be addressed this week if Dallas is to right its ship. The Cowboys only had six flags against the Dolphins -- but they were all costly and poorly timed. A roughing the passer call led to the Dolphins' first touchdown, a facemask aided Miami greatly on the game-winning drive and a ticky-tack illegal shift call forced the Cowboys to settle for a field goal in third quarter.
As Dak mentioned, Cowboys players have to look in the mirror -- and clean up the mistakes, especially in crucial and clutch situations.
A Quick Look at the Weekend Ahead
- Who: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
- When: 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2023
- Where: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
- Weather: Abundant sunshine. Highs in the 60s and lows in the upper 30s.
- Watch: WFAA (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters)
- Listen: KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan (Brad Sham, Babe Laufenberg, Kristi Scales)
- Last Meeting: Detroit 6 - Dallas 24 (October 23, 2022, at AT&T Stadium)
- Series Record: Dallas Cowboys lead series 18-12-0
X's and Joes
Here's an idea for a new rule -- one that should be in place for the remainder of the regular season and as long as the Cowboys survive in the postseason.
If receiver CeeDee Lamb goes an entire quarter without touching the ball, he should automatically get the rock to kick off the next offensive possession.
Use a quick route on the perimeter or a screen or an end around -- whatever you want! -- and get the guy a touch.
I fully realize it's not that easy. But Lamb going on the back of a milk carton for the second and third quarters against the Dolphins was inexcusable in my book.
I'm certain there were plays where he was the first option, but his team just didn't get him the ball.
The Cowboys should have learned that lesson after their big loss to the 49ers earlier in the season, which prompted Lamb's public calls for more opportunities.
Bottom line: He shouldn't have to do that. And that's on the head coach, offensive coordinator and even to some degree the quarterback to get it right -- and put my new rule into effect.
Because here's the deal this week: Against the Lions, Dak should be able to create big plays with Lamb (and his fellow receivers) early and often. The Lions' pass defense is ranked in the bottom third of the league, and it can be exploited. You won't recognize any of the names in the Lions secondary this weekend, and that means it's Dak's responsibility to make them pay.
Prescott will have to get better work from his offensive line for that to happen. There is promising news with offensive tackle Tyron Smith, fortunately. He's been dealing with a back issue that forced him to miss the Miami game, but he's been listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Now, he figures to be a game-time decision -- and one that will make all the difference.
Smith's replacement, Chuma Edoga, struggled against the Dolphins -- although, to be fair, offensive guard Tyler Smith shouldered some of that blame saying he could have communicated better.
Still, there were multiple occasions when the Cowboys line left Dolphins rusher Bradly Chubb unblocked -- including one such instance that prevented Prescott from finding a wide open Jake Ferguson for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
That can't happen again.
The Cowboys better get it right on Saturday night, too.
Why? Because legendary coaching figure Jimmy Johnson will be in the house. It's taken Jerry Jones far too long to induct Johnson into the Ring of Honor, but he's finally righting that wrong. And the Cowboys need to show the kind of discipline and grit Johnson demanded back when he was at the helm on Saturday with him in the building.
Random Stat of the Week
This one's a tip of the cap to what figures to be the Cowboys' final game of the season inside the friendly confines of AT&T Stadium.
Earlier this year, Sportsbook Review examined the boom in sponsorship dollars across the NFL. And, turns out, the Cowboys' naming rights deal from AT&T ranks second in the NFL, behind only the Raiders Allegiant Stadium.
According to Forbes, the Cowboys earn between $17 and $19 million per year for their naming rights deal with telecom giant AT&T.
Only the Raiders deal with Allegiant Air, which is valued at between $20 - $25 million, is considered to be higher.
Bandwagon Meter
Prediction Time - Joestradamus speaks!
The Cowboys are a 5.5-point favorite at home against the Lions. And I believe Dallas will both protect and extend their 15-game home win streak in this one.
The offense won't make the same mistakes we've seen on the road the last couple of weeks, and the defense will create turnovers against Jared Goff.
Home sweet home, indeed.
The Cowboys cover with a 34-27 victory over the Lions in this one.