Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions Picks and Predictions October 13th 2024

Lions Return to Scene of Painful Loss to Cowboys

Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions are heading to Arlington, Texas, this Sunday, eager to build on their strong start to the season. Fresh off an early bye week, the Lions (3-1) are set to face the Dallas Cowboys (3-2), marking their first trip back to AT&T Stadium since a controversial loss in December 2023. In that game, a late two-point conversion appeared to give the Lions a win, but a ruling that offensive lineman Taylor Decker was an ineligible receiver wiped out the play, leading to a 20-19 Cowboys victory.

For Goff, this return to Dallas isn’t about revenge over that call but rather an opportunity to end the Lions’ two-game losing streak against the Cowboys.

Goff’s Perfect Game

Goff is coming off an impeccable performance in Detroit’s 42-29 home win over the Seattle Seahawks on September 30. In that game, Goff completed all 18 of his pass attempts, setting an NFL record for a flawless passing outing. He even caught a touchdown pass from his favorite target, Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Despite the perfection, Goff was quick to downplay the feat, noting that while rare, it wasn’t the best he has felt on the field.

“There are other games that I felt like I’ve played even better,” Goff said. “We just had no incompletions, which is rare. I felt good, but I’ve had games where I feel even better, and things are clicking even more. I think we can get there. We can do even better and continue to improve.”

With that mindset, Goff and the Lions are determined to show they can raise their level of play even higher against Dallas.

Moving Past the Controversy

The last time the Lions played in Arlington, they left frustrated after the late-game officiating controversy that overturned what could have been a game-winning play. However, Goff isn’t dwelling on that moment.

“I don’t want to dwell on something that was eight months ago or whatever,” Goff said. “I don’t think we got screwed intentionally. I think it was just a mistake that the officials made, and it happens. That type of stuff happens, and you move on. But no, I don’t think we take it personally.”

Instead, Goff is focused on ending the Lions’ recent struggles against Dallas, having lost to them two years in a row.

“We haven’t beaten these guys two years in a row, and that’s more in our heads,” Goff said. “It’s time to try and stop that.”

Cowboys Seeking First Home Win

The Cowboys have had their own challenges this season, particularly at home, where they have yet to secure a victory. After back-to-back home losses, they pulled off tight road wins against the New York Giants (20-15) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (20-17). Now, Dallas is hoping to break that home drought by slowing down Goff and the Lions’ versatile offense.

“As an offense, they’re really in sync,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said. “Those guys have been together a couple of years now, and they’re playing with a lot of confidence.”

While Goff has been conveying for Detroit, the Cowboys’ own offense has been resting on quarterback Dak Prescott, who tossed for 352 yards in the success over Pittsburgh. Strangely, Prescott didn’t intensely depend on his top beneficiary, All-Genius CeeDee Sheep. All things considered, Jalen Tolbert drove the getting corps with seven gets for 87 yards, including the game-winning score with only 20 seconds left in regulation.

Rico Dowdle provided a spark in the running game, rushing for 87 yards on 20 carries, helping the Cowboys maintain balance.

“We want to play with balance,” McCarthy said. “The run efficiency for the last two weeks has been 55 percent, which is where you want to live. We definitely want to build off of that.”

Containing CeeDee Lamb

Though Lamb has been relatively quiet this season, averaging five catches per game with just two touchdown receptions, Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn’t taking him lightly.

“He’s a point of emphasis,” Campbell said. “Everything starts with this quarterback and with him. That’s what it starts with their offense, that’s what it starts with their team. And so yeah, we have got to keep him in check.”

While Prescott hasn’t leaned on Lamb as much as in previous seasons, the star receiver remains a key part of Dallas’ offensive strategy, and the Lions’ defense will need to be prepared to limit his impact.

Injury Updates

The two teams are managing wounds that could influence the game’s result. The Lions got some uplifting news after their bye week, with center Frank Ragnow (pectoral) getting back to full practice in the wake of missing the game against Seattle. This will reinforce Detroit’s hostile line as they hope to safeguard Goff and lay out their run game.

For the Cowboys, there are concerns on the defensive side. Defensive end Micah Parsons (ankle) and linebacker Eric Kendricks (calf, shoulder) did not practice midweek. On a more positive note, cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) returned to practice after missing time, and cornerback Trevon Diggs (ankle) was also a full participant, giving the Cowboys hope for reinforcements in their secondary.

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Dallas did place rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) on injured reserve, meaning he’ll miss at least four games.

What’s at Stake

As the Lions return to the location of last season’s questionable loss, they’re not centered around vengeance but instead on expanding on their initial season achievement. At 3-1, Detroit is hoping to keep pace in a cutthroat NFC North, and a street win in Dallas could additionally set their standing as a competitor.

For the Cowboys, it is central to get their most memorable home success. In the wake of getting away with two shut down street triumphs, Dallas needs to track down its cadence at home to remain cutthroat in the NFC East. Dialing back Goff and Detroit’s powerful offense will be critical to at last getting that subtle success before their home group.

With the two teams looking at a basic triumph, Sunday’s matchup vows to be an interesting fight between two still up in the air to champion themselves as season finisher competitors.