No, the Cowboys were not able to pull out their fifth consecutive win in Philadelphia against the Eagles on Sunday. Though they did battle back in the second half to make things incredibly interesting and set up a potentially big rematch later in the year. Dallas will now turn their attention to the Lions... And a possible return of Dak Prescott.
As for those Lions, they are coming off a bye week in Week 6 after a rough outing against the Patriots where they were shutout. The offense has been very good behind a bolster of strong receivers and T.J. Hockenson at tight end, but the defense has left more to be desired.
The Lions bring in some familiar faces, including head coach Dan Campbell, who played three seasons for the Cowboys ( 2003-05). Also, Jared Goff was the No. 1 overall pick of the Rams in 2016, the same year the Cowboys found a guy named Dak late in the fourth round.
It's Week 7 of the NFL on Sunday and the Cowboys are poised to rebound from their loss, as are the rested Lions. Here are five storylines for each that you need to know before the game at AT&T Stadium.
Lions:
- The Lions have been without No.1 running back D'Andre Swift since Week 3 when he suffered both an ankle and shoulder injury. Detroit has missed Swift in the time since, though Jamaal Williams has done a very nice job of assuming the majority of the rushing duties. However, it is a possibility that Swift makes his return to action this weekend against the Cowboys.
- One of the sneakiest aspects of the Lions this season has been their ability to protected quarterback Jared Goff. They have allowed just seven sacks through five games thus far, good for second best in the NFL. But the Cowboys' front seven will be their biggest challenge yet, with Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and co. sure to be looking to increase Dallas' league leading sack total.
- Keep your eye out for T.J. Hockenson, too. The fourth-year man from Iowa broke out in a big way last season with 67 catches and six touchdowns and has picked up right where he left off with 32 catches and two scores this year. He is third on the Lions in receptions and second in targets but is a favorite of Goff's in big spots.
- Defensive lineman John Cominsky could be on track to get back on the field against the Cowboys for the first time since Week 2 with a wrist injury that sidelined him for the last month. He led the Lions in pressures to begin the season and would help out a defense that has struggled mightily in 2022.
- With former Cowboys tight end Dan Campbell returning as the Lions head coach, Detroit will be looking to pick up their first win against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday since way back in 2011. Dallas has won each of the last three meetings between the two, including the most recent in 2019 when the Cowboys won 35-27 and Michael Gallup exploded for nine catches and 148 yards.
Cowboys:
- The time sounds as if it could be right for quarterback Dak Prescott to make his long-awaited return to the field after breaking his thumb in the season opener against the Bucs. Head coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday that Prescott would be medically cleared "today or tomorrow" to put him on track to practice Wednesday. Prescott told reporters after the Eagles game that his goal was to start against the Lions.
- It was surprising to see tight end Dalton Schultz listed as inactive just before the Cowboys took on the Eagles last week after being a full participant in Friday's practice. Schultz has battled through a knee sprain recently, but owner/GM Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan that "We'll have to see as this week goes," on whether Schultz will be able to play against the Lions. If not, it'll be impressive rookies Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot at the keystone again.
- In case it has gone unnoticed, CeeDee Lamb has really found his stride in his last 3-4 games. He has quietly averaged over 10 yards per catch in each of the last three weeks, potentially a sign that teams are respecting the return of Michael Gallup. However, Lamb has just one touchdown in that span, but having Prescott back could see that change.
- Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said on Monday that he was very pleased with the results both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard had produced in support of Cooper Rush. The duo has combined for 678 yards four touchdowns and will face a Lions' run defense that has allowed nearly 168 yards a game and 838 yards overall.
- The Cowboys finally gave up more than one touchdown to an opponent for the first time this season against the Eagles, but they will have their hands full yet again against a Lions' offense that has put up 28 points a game this season. The matchup between the Dallas' secondary and Detroit receiving corps will be something to watch.
